All New Yorkers send our condolences and sympathy to the family of Malaysia Goodson, who tragically died at the 7th Ave and 53rd St subway station on Monday after she fell down a flight of stairs carrying her baby in a stroller.
Our groups – disability, transit and advocates for pregnant women – assert that this tragedy should not be in vain. Currently, fewer than 25% of the city’s subway stations are accessible. In 2017, many of our groups sued the MTA, which Governor Cuomo controls, in state court charging the lack of subway elevators is a violation of the city’s Human Rights Law. The Governor and the MTA have not settled the lawsuit.
Today, join us in urging Governor Cuomo to settle our lawsuit with a commitment for a plan of full subway accessibility.
Call Gov. Cuomo at 212-681-4580 and tell him: Make the subways safe and accessible for all New Yorkers!
Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) • Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) • Bronx Independent Living Services • Disabled In Action • NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign • People’s MTA • Riders Alliance •Rise and Resist • TransitCenter • UP-STAND
Are you or someone you know looking for food help this holiday season?
CIDNY can help New Yorkers with disabilities connect to food pantries in your neighborhood and/or apply for long term food help.
Low income New Yorkers with disabilities can get food help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps). Low income seniors might qualify for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) or the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
Hunger Free America has guides to food pantries by borough available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Russian. It is best to call each location before you go to find out if they are accessible.
If you’re looking for a food box for Thanksgiving or a Thanksgiving meal, you can contact food pantries, soup kitchens, community centers, or religious organizations. A Google search for “community centers” in your neighborhood will show senior centers, settlement houses, and other community centers that may offer food boxes.
If you currently receive SNAP, you can use your EBT card at Greenmarkets to get Health Bucks. For every $5 you spend, the NYC Health Department will give you $2 in Health Bucks to use at the market. Look for the booth at the market.
If you’re looking for recipes and tips on cooking healthy food on a budget, Good and Cheap is available free online in English and Spanish.
NY Connects at CIDNY is the trusted place to go for free, unbiased information about services, resources, and supports for New Yorkers of all ages and with any type of disability.
Counselors at NY Connects provide guidance and coordination for participants with disabilities as they go through eligibility and assessment processes for benefits and services. They can also help when you are completing applications and enrolling in public assistance benefits, like Medicaid, Medicare, housing applications, SNAP applications, Social Security benefits, and more.
To be contacted by a NY Connects Benefits Counselor and receive your free benefits check-up, please fill out this short form. A NY Connects Counselor will be in touch by the end of next business day. You can also contact us at 844-862-7930.
Please use this form: https://forms.office.com/r/7DjMPid9Bf
