This is a rare opportunity for a proven disability rights leader to become the next Executive Director of a well known, highly respected civil rights organization in New York City. The next Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) will inherit an organization that has an established reputation as a leader among civil rights organizations and independent living centers throughout New York, the Northeast and the Nation. CIDNY is a financially stable, mission-driven organization with a strong culture of disability rights values. The work of CIDNY’s staff, most of whom have disabilities, covers multiple programs in 5 mandated core areas including peer mentoring, skills training, information and referral, advocacy and transition. CIDNY is an important voice in New York City and State government advocating for public policy changes that improve the lives of people with disabilities. The individual fortunate enough to be chosen for this position will have significant disability rights leadership experience and skills. Driven by a deep passion for human rights and social justice, CIDNY’s Board and staff place a high value on a leader who is self-aware, committed to disability and social justice, open to shared learning and genuinely compassionate. This is an outstanding position for a strategic, and visionary leader to build on more than four decades of innovative disability rights advocacy in New York City.
The mission of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) is more important now than ever before. People with disabilities are up against unending challenges exacerbated by Covid 19 – increased economic inequity, discrimination in accessing health care, transportation, effective communication, in addition to unnecessary institutionalization and a lack of accessible housing options. In short, discrimination against people already pushed to the sidelines.