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Advocacy Groups

Disabled in Action (DIA)

A civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities — all disabilities. They fight to eliminate the barriers that prevent us from enjoying full equality in American society. DIA consists primarily of and is directed by people with disabilities. We believe in the motto, "Nothing about us without us!"

Phone & Fax: 718-261-3737

Disabled in Action Website

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Guide to Independent Living

"What does it mean to live in my own place?" an illustrated guide to independent living for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Created by the Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) and AHRC.

More Information on Independent Living Guide

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Center for the Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY)

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York's (CIDNY) goal is to ensure full integration, independence and equal opportunity for all people with disabilities by removing barriers to the social, economic, cultural, and civic life of the community.

E-mail: info@cidny.org
Manhattan CIDNY Phone: 212-674-2300
Queens CIDNY Phone: 646-442-1520

CIDNY Website

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Harlem Independent Living Center

Assists communities of people with disabilities in achieving optimal independence through culturally and linguistically appropriate services by advocating, educating, empowering and being a community change catalyst.

Eman Rimawi-Doster
Executive Director

Harlem Independent Living Center
289 St. Nicholas Avenue, Suite 21/LL
New York, NY 10027

Email: emanrd-exec@hilc.org
Cell: 646-481-4517
Office: 212-222-7122
Fax: 212-222-7122

Harlem Independent Living Center Website

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Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled (BCID)

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. (BCID) is a non-profit, grass roots organization operated by a majority of people with disabilities for people with disabilities since 1956. Our mission for over 50 years has been to empower persons with disabilities by improving the quality of their lives and fostering their integration into the mainstream of society. We also develop educational programs including training for advocacy for their individual civil rights.

Phone: 718-998-3000

BCID Website

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Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS)

Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to empower all people with disabilities to understand and exercise their civil and human rights in order to live fully integrated lives in mainstream society. BILS assists individuals by providing them the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their own lives through access to education, skills development, and access to the appropriate resources. On a systemic level, BILS is committed to facilitating social, economic, and civic change by advocating for the removal of architectural, communication, and attitudinal barriers that have limited the disabled community for far too long.

Phone: 718-515-2800

BILS Website

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Staten Island Center for Independent Living

The Staten Island Center for Independent Living is the only comprehensive multi-service provider in the borough that is primarily staffed and governed by individuals who have personal experience with disability.

Staten Island Center for Independent Living Website

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Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS)

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board supports self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages them to speak up for themselves individually and collectively.

Phone: 646-896-1938 

SANYS Website

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Sinergia

Sinergia is a multi-service, not-for-profit organization founded in 1977. The agency's focus is to serve individuals and families who have developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout New York City as well as underserved populations in the community of Harlem.
2082 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10035

Phone: 212-643-2840

Sinergia Contact Form
Sinergia Website

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National Federation of the Blind (NFB) – New York City Chapter

The National Federation of the Blind of New York knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. The NFB is the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power, influence, diversity, and determination to help transform our dreams into reality.

Phone: 347-395-2203

NFB Website

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American Council of the Blind (ACB) New York Chapter

ACBNY is the state affiliate of The American Council Of The Blind. Its purpose is to support and promote the educational, vocational and social advancement of people who are blind and low vision.

Phone: 800-522-3303

ACB Website

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New York City Black Deaf Advocates

New York City Black Deaf Advocates, NYCBDA, Chapter 4, was founded in 1983, our mission is to better inform ourselves and the Deaf Community about the rights and responsibilities of black deaf individuals. We also identify, examine and disseminate information related to the impact of social, economic, educational, political, religions and health issues through the medium of forums, panels, lectures and workshops as well as increased leadership development and job opportunities for Black Deaf persons and to further their potentials.

E-mail: nycbda@gmail.com 

NYC Black Deaf Advocate Website

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National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC Metro

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC Metro) is a grassroots organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for families and individuals of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who live with mental illness.

Phone: 212-684-3264
E-mail: helpline@naminyc.org 

National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC Metro Website

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