The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York: A Long-Lasting New York City Disability Resource

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York: A Long-Lasting New York City Disability Resource

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) is a leading social justice, independent living center for disabled New Yorkers living throughout the five boroughs.

Established in 1978, CIDNY has served numerous residents living with disabilities. More than a quarter of the population identifies as having a disability, with nearly one million people in New York City alone.

The reality is that at some point in life, disability touches us all. We are considered temporarily able-bodied. When faced with disability, people need a trusted and experienced source to turn to, and CIDNY fills that crucial role.

Whether people are looking for help navigating life with long COVID, benefits assistance, or just have a question or need someone to talk to, CIDNY can help. Your support helps CIDNY assist people with disabilities in acquiring healthcare and mental health services, accessing the voting booths to exercise their rights, achieving educational goals and employment, securing accessible housing, obtaining transportation assistance, training community stakeholders about the impact of disability, attending and participating in recreational events such as sports, music, performing arts, and ensuring full integration to a barrier-free city that all can enjoy!

CIDNY’s mission is to ensure that people can live as they choose, independently and in the community, as well as ensure that New York City is on the path toward accessibility for all. CIDNY has helped hold the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) accountable for accessibility issues, resulting in a global settlement to ensure that 95 percent of the subway is accessible by 2055. CIDNY has worked with disability advocates to hold New York City’s Department of Transportation accountable for installing curb cuts and pedestrian-accessible signals on every street corner throughout the five boroughs, making our city more inclusive. CIDNY has also helped ensure absentee ballots are accessible for people who are blind, legally blind, and have learning disabilities so that no one is left behind when it comes time to exercise their right to vote.

CIDNY has helped transition people out of nursing homes and into their own homes in the community, allowing them to relish their independence. At the same time, CIDNY has helped provide companionship to those isolated by COVID-19 via our reassurance wellness calls to consumers, especially necessary during a time when connection made all the difference. CIDNY has helped connect thousands of New Yorkers with sorely needed benefits such as health care coverage, food assistance, social security, and other benefits. CIDNY allows people with disabilities to find jobs, acquire their education goals, and much more, changing lives along the way. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help!

Your support helps CIDNY assist people with disabilities in acquiring healthcare and mental health services, securing accessible housing, obtaining transportation assistance, training community stakeholders about the impact of disability, enjoying recreational events such as sports, music, performing arts, and ensuring full integration to a barrier-free city that all can enjoy!

You can support our work at CIDNY.org/donation. If you or someone you know is looking for assistance or have questions, please contact us at info@cidny.org or 212-674-2300.