2022 Annual Report & Congressional Districts 1-27

WELCOME TO DRNY

It doesn’t seem possible that 50 years ago the exposé on the Willowbrook State School aired on television. For the first time, previously hidden abuse and neglect that was taking place inside those walls made its way onto the news and into the homes of families across the country.

Congress was so outraged that they rightly took action and created the Protection and Advocacy System.

Throughout 2022, we examined the “Road to Inclusion” since Willowbrook. We talked with self-advocates about what is being done in their communities. And we talked about all of the work that still needs to be done.

As I reflect on DRNY’s efforts, I see an organization filled with people that passionately fight for the disability community each and every day.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in 2020, we have faced global challenges and implemented necessary modifications of our operations. I am extremely proud of how we as a collective, have ensured that our community continued to be served.

I am pleased to present DRNY’s FY22 Annual Report. I hope you enjoy reading about just some of the successes we have achieved.

Please continue to let us know what is important to you, and how we can help.

Sincerely,

Timothy A. Clune, Esq.

Executive Director

WHO WE ARE

As the Protection & Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Program (CAP) for New York State, all DRNY work is conducted with recognition that the people we serve combat persistent societal stigmatization and can be members of traditionally underserved populations, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. We develop systemic advocacy projects to address patterns of discrimination, including state and federal systemic litigation, monitoring and investigation, publishing reports and policymaker education.

We do this through the following programs:

cap

Client Assistance Program

protection & advocacy for:

paat

Assistive Technology

pabss

Beneficiaries of Social Security

padd

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

paimi

Individuals with Mental Illness

pair

Individual Rights

parp

Beneficiaries of Social Security with Representative Payees

patbi

Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries

pava

Voting Access

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors’ primary responsibility is the governance of our nonprofit organization. In collaboration with our advisory councils, they approve the priorities, policies and budget for DRNY. DRNY actively recruits and elects members who are, or have been, a person with a disability or family members of a person with a disability.

Christine Konsistorum, CPA President

Audie Serrano Director

Cathleen Kenny, CPA Treasurer

Andrew Gordon, Esq. Director

Lisa Barone Director

Anthony Curtis Director

Amy D’Amico, Esq. Director

Antoinette Jarrett Parker Director

George Badillo Secretary PAIMI Advisory Council Chairperson

Ann Scherff Director PADD Advisory Council Chairperson

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Timothy A. Clune, Esq. Executive Director

Jennifer J. Monthie, Esq. Legal Director

Danielle Myers, CPA Chief Financial Officer & Director of Operations

Elisabeth Taylor Human Resources Director

Christina Asbee, Esq. Director PAAT, PAIR & PAVA Programs

Joseph Clark, Esq. Director PARP Program

Marc Fliedner, Esq. Director PAIMI & PATBI Programs

Katrin Haldeman Director Marketing & Communications

Julie Michaels Keegan, Esq. Director PADD Program

Erica M. Molina, Esq. Director CAP & PABSS Programs

David Young, Esq. Director Intake

Coalition Building

DRNY is involved in forging coalitions between agencies on statewide issues like:

Improving communication between students, families and schools in Special Education

Expanding cultural competency and language access

Investigations of Abuse and Neglect

DRNY investigates allegations of abuse and neglect including:

The unnecessary use of mechanical restraints in mental health facilities

Restraint of incarcerated people in mental health units in jails

Serious incidents in residential treatment facilities for children

Unnecessary institutionalization of children in nursing facilities

Systemic Issues

DRNY also identifies and addresses systemic issues such as:

Fighting for racial justice

Pressures State to Prioritize the Health of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Congregate Settings during COVID-19 Pandemic

Barriers to integrated employment opportunities

Sidewalk and street accessibility

Difficulties faced by individuals transitioning from various state-run facilities back to the community

INTAKE

Our Intake Department is our center of advocacy. They assess a high volume of clients for DRNY services daily and simultaneously close and resolve just as many service requests. There are a variety of ways that our intake advocates serve our clients in the community and those clients are the measure of how meaningful our help can be.

In FY22, we responded to 2,523 Service Requests. We provided full case services to 674 of those requests and provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 1,849 requests.

When we are contacted about issues that fall outside of our priorities or are unrelated to the person’s disability, we strive to provide appropriate referral sources. We educate people about their rights and available options. Our I&R services vary and are dependent on the needs of the person.

AVERAGED

210

SERVICE REQUESTS per month

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 210 Service Requests per month from individuals throughout New York State. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 3,029,683 individuals with disabilities living in New York State. DRNY handled 2,523 Service Requests for 2,121 distinct individuals.

Clients by Age

DRNY has assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals in New York State. 295 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 239, or nearly 13.39% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for only 5.71% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 31.07% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

CAP

CAP is an advocacy resource for people with disabilities who are seeking, receiving, or have been denied services from state vocational rehabilitation agencies. In NYS those agencies are the Commission for the Blind and ACCES-VR. We help people get the services they need in order to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

College Sponsorship Advocacy

We provide assistance through our Client Assistance Program to students who have connected with Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for tuition and have had difficulty receiving their funding.

In one case, ACCES-VR had approved to pay tuition for a graduate student to attend Hunter College School of Social Work. However, after they became aware of his bipolar disorder, ACCES-VR revoked support. They believed his mental health diagnosis would negatively impact his studies.

As a result of our advocacy, ACCES-VR funded tuition for the graduate school program for Spring 2022. This was in addition to funding for his books, fees, and transportation, totaling more than $8,500.

PAAT

Our PAAT program helps people understand their rights to use medical devices or technology that can aid them in managing their disability. Collectively this is called Assistive Technology (AT). We help people navigate legal issues such as insurance denials of coverage for AT or related services, access to medical care that requires use of AT, housing accommodations, workplace accommodations, and accommodations in school.

Inaccessible Absentee Ballot

Voting access has been severely impacted by the absentee voting program in New York State. We, along with Disability Rights Advocates and Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP, successfully reached a settlement with the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) to remedy the issues.

As part of the settlement agreement, NYSBOE will create a statewide program that will allow Blind and Disabled voters to fill out a remote, accessible vote-by-mail ballot online, print it out, and mail or return it to their county Board of Elections.

The settlement required NYSBOE to choose a remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) system that allows blind people and people with print disabilities to use their own computers to read and mark a ballot. The system would also allow for using their own screen-reader software that converts the ballot content into spoken words or into Braille displayed on a connected device.

NYSBOE also agreed to create a statewide portal that voters can use to request an accessible absentee ballot. They also agreed to train each of the fifty-eight county Boards of Elections on the use of the RAVBM system.

The settlement also requires that:

The county boards provide return envelopes for the ballots, just as they do for paper absentee ballots.

The inside oath envelope into which the ballot is to be placed must have a tactile marking indicating where it is to be signed.

NYSBOE will instruct county Boards of Elections to accept a signature anywhere on the envelope.

County boards will help voters who do not have their own printers to facilitate the printing of their ballots.

We filed a motion with the court against NYSBOE on July 8, 2022 for breach of the settlement agreement because the agency did not have the agreed-upon RAVBM system in place ahead of the June 2022 Primary Election. We also filed a motion for contempt after the NSYBOE refused to take steps to ensure the RAVBM system would be available ahead of the August and November 2022 elections. Because of our postsettlement compliance efforts, the NYSBOE prioritized settlement compliance and implemented the RAVBM system ahead of the November 8, 2022 General Election.

PABSS

Our PABSS program helps people remove barriers to being successfully employed. Some of those barriers include denial of reasonable accommodations, lack of accessible transportation to get to work, or being discriminated against while at work. Potential clients must be under age 65, and must currently be receiving SSI and/or SSDI.

Advocacy for Back Wages and Settlement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a barista at a local university café was let go from her position. However, when restrictions were lifted and her employer was bringing people back for the next academic year, she was not offered her position again.

With our assistance, she requested reasonable accommodations to help with her mobility and mental health disabilities. Although she did not get her position back, we successfully negotiated a private settlement with her employer for back-wages totaling almost $4,000.

PADD

Our PADD program provides both systemic and individual advocacy to people with ID/DD. We investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations. We monitor locations where people with disabilities receive services. We work to enforce and expand the rights of all people with ID/DD through lawsuits, public reports, education, outreach, and self-advocacy support.

Fighting for De-Institutionalization of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

One of the most pressing crises impacting thousands of New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) is the lack of community residential options. Along with our litigation partners, we filed a federal class action lawsuit against the New York Department of Health and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. This complaint was filed on behalf of our family members who are stuck in institutional settings with little or no access to the community, minimal privacy, and very little control over the most basic daily decisions.

Each of our plaintiffs, and the class they represent, have been determined eligible for community placement, however, they have been waiting in hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric wards, and other institutions as long as six years, with no end in sight.

The lawsuit calls on the state agencies to provide timely community placement in accordance with state and federal laws.

PAIMI

Our PAIMI program provides both systemic and individual advocacy to people with a mental health diagnosis. We advocate on behalf of individuals living in the community, as well as in congregate care settings, including psychiatric facilities, adult homes, jails, and prisons. We work to enforce and expand the rights of all people with mental illness through lawsuits, public reports, education, outreach, and self-advocacy support.

Thousands of Medicaid-Eligible Children Denied Mental Health Treatment

New York State is currently facing a mental health crisis; one that affects all our family members who have a mental health diagnosis. Most shockingly, Medicaid-eligible children with significant mental health conditions are being deprived of mental health services they need to remain safely in their homes and communities. This crisis is the direct result of New York State’s longstanding failure to provide the services they are legally obligated to provide.

The impact of these failures is devastating. Access to services, including crisis response, is often what stands between these children and long-term admission to psychiatric facilities. Without adequate services, the families of these children are forced to rely on hospital emergency rooms during periods of crisis. Such facilities provide short-term care that fails to address underlying conditions. This pattern of system response far too often results in the children experiencing deterioration of their mental health conditions and prolonged disruption of their educations, family relationships, and community connections.

Along with our litigation partners, including Children’s Rights, the National Health Law Program, and the Proskauer Rose law firm, we filed a federal class action lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health and the Office of Mental Health.

We are seeking the creation of a system in New York State that provides timely access to medically necessary mental health services. Those services include providing assessments and service planning, the intensive care coordination that successfully links the multiple systems serving these children, intensive and home-based behavioral services, and mobile crisis services as needed.

PAIR

Our PAIR program serves people with disabilities who are not eligible for assistance from our other programs. We work to ensure that they are free from discrimination in housing, employment, education, and access to public accommodations and that they are included in emergency preparedness initiatives.

Inaccessible Sidewalks in Bronx Neighborhood

After nearly two years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issues created by blocked pathways that people with disabilities were facing, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of the residents in the Mount Eden neighborhood. Those living there were being forced to navigate barriers along sidewalks, curb cuts, and crosswalks on a daily basis.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, we surveyed the neighborhood, and found accessibility barriers to the pedestrian pathways, those around the neighborhood’s hospital, and along Mount Eden Mall. All have been impassible because of illegally parked vehicles, ambulances parking on the sidewalks and in front of bus stops, and hospital infrastructure. Despite repeated requests, the city refused to find solutions to remedy the ongoing barriers and to address the lack of parking enforcement by the New York Police Department (NYPD) in this neighborhood.

Along with the Complaint, we filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order seeking a court order for NYPD to enforce existing parking laws that prohibit illegal parking. The US Department of Justice joined the case through a Statement of Interest.

PARP

Our PARP program protects Social Security beneficiaries that require the assistance of a representative payee from financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect. A representative payee is a person or an organization who assists someone who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. We review the performance of representative payees through beneficiary and payee interviews, onsite inspections, and a detailed review of financial and other documentation. These reviews ensure the wellbeing of beneficiaries while educating payees on how to better serve them.

Investigation of Abuse and Financial Misuse Allegations

Allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial misuse were brought to us by a woman whose mother is living in a New York State nursing home.

The nursing home is serving as Representative Payee for eighty (80) Social Security beneficiaries, including the mother we were now advocating for. Allegations included a lack of adequate medical care, improper billing, inadequate financial documentation, failure to provide beneficiaries’ personal needs money as required, and improper handling of beneficiaries’ Economic Impact Payments (EIP).

Our Representative Payee Team determined that the nursing home was the subject of an active review for the Social Security Administration (SSA) under a different name. We substantiated the allegations and SSA is now in the process of determining whether the nursing home is suitable to be a Representative Payee.

PATBI

Our PATBI program helps people with TBI navigate legal issues that may affect all aspects of their lives, including access to medical care, housing accommodations, workplace accommodations, and accommodations in school. We ensure that people with TBI and their families have access to information, referrals and advice, individual and family advocacy, legal representation, and specific assistance in self-advocacy.

Systemic Work Impacting People with Traumatic Brain Injury

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will often mean that adjustments will need to be made throughout a person’s life. Along with those changes, oftentimes there will be additional barriers that are faced while finding adequate treatment and support.

Our work this year included assisting a woman who was facing several obstacles. There were irregularities in the management of her prescribed medications and lack of access to outside medical providers. She also had no discharge planning to facilitate her placement in a less restrictive, communitybased residence with proper supports.

Through meeting with the members of the treatment team, we identified more systemic problems. Staff had an inadequate understanding of TBI and its manifestations. They were unaware that people with TBI’s communication issues are often mischaracterized as aggressive or difficult. Consequently, requests for assistance and access to services were being placed on a back burner or dismissed entirely.

Providers are unfamiliar with how the TBI waiver program works and what options are available. Our systemic work going forward will focus on educating providers and assisting those with TBI.

PAVA

Our PAVA program helps ensure that people with disabilities are included in the election process. Civic engagement and inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities, is paramount to our democracy. We ensure that every qualified person with a disability has access to vote on Election Day.

Violation of Title III of the Help America Vote Act

The introduction of early voting has added one more level of accessibility to voting programs across New York State. However, during the early voting times for the 2021 General Election, residents were unable to vote privately and independently because both Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs) at their poll site malfunctioned. The poll workers did not provide voters with alternative options to vote and at this point, voters could no longer request an absentee ballot.

The New York State Board of Elections determined that there was a violation of Title III of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and issued a decision ordering New York City Board of Elections to do the following:

Instruct poll workers on procedures relating to the checking of BMDs to ensure they are operational both prior to the opening of the polls and throughout the day.

Review current troubleshooting and training materials to ensure that all procedures are up to date and thoroughly inform poll workers of their obligations with regard to BMDs.

Instruct poll workers to inform voters of each of their options to cast their vote when a BMD malfunctions or is otherwise non-operational.

Instruct poll workers on procedures requiring poll workers to provide bipartisan assistance to vote using replacement ballots following BMD malfunctions.

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Willowbrook & the Road to Inclusion

2022 marked the 50th year of the exposé on Willowbrook. Throughout the year, we held a series of events entitled Willowbrook & The Road to Inclusion to bring awareness to the fact that there is still a long way to go.

The series included videos and panel events such as:

DRNY & The Road to Inclusion

Willowbrook & The Road to Inclusion: Rethinking Guardianship for People with I/DD

Willowbrook & The Road to Inclusion: The Impact of Ableism on Barriers to Communication for People with Disabilities

Willowbrook & The Road to Inclusion: Ableism & Access to Health Care Systems

Willowbrook & The Road to Inclusion: Removing Roadblocks to Accessible Transportation

The tenets of disability justice demand that we have a role in challenging and dismantling systemic racism. The public killing of George Floyd in May 2020 brought renewed focus to our responsibility in addressing the oppressive systems affecting the Black community. We have committed to this work by creating the Advisory Committee on Advancing Racial Equity (C.A.R.E.). to reflect both internally and externally on matters such as bias, privilege, racism, and intersectionality.

The Protection & Advocacy (P&A) disability rights movement began in 1972, when our nation responded to reports of egregious abuse and neglect against people with disabilities. Action is inherent in the work that we do, and it is crucial that we voice the injustices happening against the Black community, as well as Indigenous communities and those of people of color (BIPOC). By working under a philosophy of disability justice, we have furthered our knowledge to respect the intersectional identities of our clients. This includes people who identify as BIPOC, people who possess immigrant status, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those living in poverty.

As an organization, we are leading by example. We have become vocal in calling out injustices against the Black community by releasing statements and calling for change. C.A.R.E. work led to DRNY’s sitting on the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) Task Force on Racial Injustice and Police Reform. We have also spoken on various panels regarding the mistreatment of people with mental illness at the hands of police. With the help of a third party, we conducted a Self-Assessment for Cultural Competence & Legal Literacy and we established a BIPOC Affinity group for staff. We are continually examining recruitment and internal policies to ensure that we approach our work with disability justice in mind at all times.

COVID Vaccine Access Grant

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), with funding and partnership support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), awarded our grant to provide critical services to help communities combat COVID-19. A leading priority of this joint effort is to ensure vaccines are equally accessible to individuals with disabilities.

As part of our ongoing priority to reach underserved communities, we hosted online events to answer questions about the vaccine and we produced three videos, including one fully immersive Spanish and one fully immersive simplified Chinese. All of our events included American Sign Language (ASL). We created several COVID vaccine education documents, including toolkits, flyers, and fact sheets.

Community Inclusion Fellowship Grant

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Willowbrook exposé , DRNY targeted a special grant from the Administration for Community Living to fund a Community Inclusion Fellowship.

The Fellow provided legal assistance to individuals facing barriers to inclusion in schools, public libraries, college campuses, and housing.

He also supported DRNY’s ongoing litigation on behalf of adults who are languishing in residential schools even though they finished their education. At any given time there are 200 adults who remain on school campuses more than a year after finishing their education, both in and out of New York State. He also worked on a comprehensive report describing programs and laws impacting the transition of individuals from day programs to competitive, integrated employment.

IN ACTION

Marketing & Communications

The Marketing & Communications Department informs the public about our services, what we have accomplished and what your rights are. With that in mind, we developed a strategic and goal centered plan to identify areas to focus on and approach from a person-first perspective, ensuring that it includes all members of the community.

New Brand, New Look!

This new logo represents our vision of unity and equality, highlighting the diversity of the disability community that we serve.

The images embrace each other in a circular shape, symbolizing community support and the inclusivity we advocate for throughout New York State.

Video Library & Outreach

We created 46 new videos that include: trainings, live events, and ASL interpretation versions.

FY22 FINANCIAL REPORT

Each year our finance department ensures that our funding and our programs are managed successfully.

EXPENSES

FEDERAL GRANTS

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 73,473 individuals with disabilities living in the 1st Congressional District and DRNY has handled 67 Service Requests for 55 distinct clients living in those 29 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 9 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 9 or nearly 18.00% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.92% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.91% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 67 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 12 of the requests or 17.91%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 55 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

8 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

4 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION (ASL) NEEDED:

One of the most difficult issues facing the Deaf community is the lack of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation in every aspect of their lives. When it comes to emergency alerts at both the county and state level, if ASL is not provided, crucial information is not received by those who rely on it for communication.

As we worked with one woman in Suffolk County, we found that her medical office was refusing to provide live ASL and was forcing her to use Video Remote Interpreting (VRI).

As a result of our advocacy, her doctor agreed to provide an in-person interpreter at all future medical appointments.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 5 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 69,898 individuals with disabilities living in the 2nd Congressional District and DRNY has handled 57 Service Requests for 45 distinct clients living in those 21 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 6 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 10 or nearly 25.64% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 8.25% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 26.67% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 57 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 15 of the requests or 26.32%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 42 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

ADVOCACY FOR ACCESS TO CLINICAL RECORDS:

When a child is residing in a hospital, their parents rely on accurate communication and information from the institution. And when their child has been assaulted by other residents, they want answers.

One mother needed both answers and assistance for her son who had been kicked, punched, and had water poured over his head multiple times by other children on his floor. When she requested the incident reports, the hospital refused.

The hospital required that she wait until her son was discharged before she could obtain only the nurses’ records.

Using Jonathan’s Law, we were able to obtain all of the incident reports that mom was seeking. We then provided her with referrals to agencies regarding her concerns about access to vaccinations for her son.

We are now conducting a systemic investigation regarding inpatient care at this hospital.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 5 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 65,403 individuals with disabilities living in the 3rd Congressional District and DRNY has handled 64 Service Requests for 47 distinct clients living in those 26 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 8 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 6 or nearly 15.38% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.03% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 53.19% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 64 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 23 of the requests or 35.94%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 41 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

8 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

8 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

GUARDIANSHIP DISSOLVED:

Most people take for granted the right to make decisions for themselves. Our work includes advocating for the rights and independence of those who are capable of exercising their own authority yet are not allowed to do so because of their status under guardianship.

In 2018 we represented a woman to remove the guardianship over her right to make her own decisions. The guardians were abusing her by engaging in emotional manipulation and restricting access to her SSI benefits. They even went so far as to take off her bicycle wheel to prevent her from leaving her home. All of these actions were impacting her mental health.

Through our advocacy and representation, we were able to successfully have the guardianship terminated and ensured that she would not be evicted from her home by her former guardians.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 66,305 individuals with disabilities living in the 4th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 68 Service Requests for 50 distinct clients living in those 26 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 1 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 5 or nearly 10.64% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.04% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.00% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 68 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 16 of the requests or 23.53%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 52 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

7 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

6 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

REHABILITATION AND PROSTHETIC NEEDS MET:

Rehabilitation after injury is a long and emotional process. Skilled Nursing Facilities are tasked with creating unique treatment plans to ensure the best possible outcome for each person in their care.

One facility was failing to address the needs of a woman who not only experienced a stroke, but also had a below-the-knee amputation. She was not getting the physical therapy she needed, she did not have access to a discharge transition plan, and she had not yet been fitted for her prosthetic leg.

We successfully worked with the social work staff to create a transition plan, including additional physical therapy, rehabilitation, and getting her prosthetic leg fitted.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 4 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 86,386 individuals with disabilities living in the 5th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 48 Service Requests for 44 distinct clients living in those 19 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 8 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 4 or nearly 11.11% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.64% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 50.00% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 48 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 10 of the requests or 20.83%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 38 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

NON-WORKING ELEVATOR LEAVES RESIDENT UNABLE TO REACH HOME:

Housing discrimination against people with disabilities covers a number of areas, including the unavailability of accessible residences. When an elevator is not working in a building, it creates a barrier for the residents who live there.

Late one evening, a woman who uses a mobility device arrived at her building only to find that her elevator was not working. There was no way she could climb more than five flights of stairs to get home. She called the maintenance attendant who did not answer. After hours waiting for a return call, she had no other option than to stay in a hotel room.

The elevator remained broken for several days. We successfully advocated for the reimbursement of the hotel charges, as well as ensuring that the elevator was fixed.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 4 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 747,106 individuals with disabilities living in the 6th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 49 Service Requests for 43 distinct clients living in those 16 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 4 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 6 or nearly 15.38% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 0.52% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.32% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 49 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 13 of the requests or 26.53%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 36 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

10 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

5 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

CHARGES FOR SERVICE ANIMAL REMOVED:

Service animals are an essential part of life for people who need them. Under the Fair Housing Act, “housing providers are obligated to permit, as a reasonable accommodation, the use of animals that work, provide assistance, or perform tasks that benefit persons with a disability, or provide emotional support to alleviate a symptom or effect of a disability.”

An apartment’s co-op board of directors started harassing our client about her service animal. They added a charge to her bill and did not offer her the ability to join the co-op meetings via Zoom.

We were able to have the charge removed from her co-op account. However, the co-op board did not provide a process to join co-op meetings via Zoom and instead just stopped meeting online.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 65,140 individuals with disabilities living in the 7th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 68 Service Requests for 61 distinct clients living in those 14 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 4 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 5 or nearly 9.09% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.09% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 31.15% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 68 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 25 of the requests or 36.76%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 43 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

8 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

7 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

COLLEGE SPONSORSHIP ADVOCACY:

We provide assistance through our Client Assistance Program to students who have connected with Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for tuition and have had difficulty receiving their funding.

In one case, ACCES-VR had approved to pay tuition for a graduate student to attend Hunter College School of Social Work. However, after they became aware of his bipolar disorder, ACCESVR revoked its decision to financially support him. They believed his mental health diagnosis would negatively impact his studies.

As a result of our advocacy, ACCES-VR funded tuition for the graduate school program for Spring 2022. This was in addition to funding for his books, fees, and transportation, totaling more than $8,500.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 5 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 104,108 individuals with disabilities living in the 8th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 62 Service Requests for 59 distinct clients living in those 15 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 4 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 2 or nearly 3.64% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.55% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 25.42% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 62 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 20 of the requests or 32.26%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 42 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

6 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

8 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

VIOLATION OF TITLE III OF THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT:

The introduction of early voting has added one more level of accessibility to voting programs across New York State. However, during the early voting times for the 2021 General Election, residents were unable to vote privately and independently because both Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs) at their poll site malfunctioned. The poll workers did not provide voters with alternative options to vote and at this point, voters could no longer request an absentee ballot.

The New York State Board of Elections determined that there was a violation of Title III of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and issued a decision ordering New York City Board of Elections to do the following:

Instruct poll workers on procedures relating to the checking of BMDs to ensure they are operational both prior to the opening of the polls and throughout the day.

Review current troubleshooting and training materials to ensure that all procedures are up to date and thoroughly inform poll workers of their obligations with regard to BMDs.

Instruct poll workers to inform voters of each of their options to cast their vote when a BMD malfunctions or is otherwise non-operational.

Instruct poll workers on procedures requiring poll workers to provide bipartisan assistance to vote using replacement ballots following BMD malfunctions.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 5 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 81,828 individuals with disabilities living in the 9th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 65 Service Requests for 56 distinct clients living in those 10 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 8 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 1 or nearly 2.08% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.12% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 37.50% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 65 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 12 of the requests or 18.46%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 53 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

Representative Issue

ADVOCACY FOR PROPER CARE AND TRANSFER:

Family members often become the primary advocates for their loved ones. From the beginning of a care plan, they are aware of the history and the needs of their parent, child, or sibling. With their knowledge and commitment to advocacy, they become strong allies and partners for change.

We worked with a woman whose brother was being neglected in a nursing facility. He was not getting his medication, his skin was breaking out, he was not being cleaned properly, and he was not being fed at regular times. Both he and his sister wanted his care to improve and to be transferred to another facility.

Through our advocacy, we received assurances that the conditions would improve. Shortly after that we were informed that he would be transferred.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 8 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 62,718 individuals with disabilities living in the 10th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 101 Service Requests for 85 distinct clients living in those 22 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 3 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 4 or nearly 4.94% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 3.75% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 41.18% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 101 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 32 of the requests or 31.68%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 69 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

24 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

5 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR REPAIRS COMPLETED:

Any amount of time a person is without their wheelchair, it interferes with every aspect of their lives. Therefore, when routine maintenance or repairs cannot be completed, it is more than simply inconvenient.

We advocated for a man who was unable to schedule an appointment for repairs to his motorized wheelchair due to a miscommunication from the repair shop. We successfully assisted in getting the appointment scheduled and the repairs are now complete.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 5 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 81,279 individuals with disabilities living in the 11th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 61 Service Requests for 49 distinct clients living in those 16 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 7 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 5 or nearly 12.20% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 5.91% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 28.57% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 61 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 14 of the requests or 22.95%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 47 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

18 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

5 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

ENROLLMENT IN IT TRAINING PROGRAM:

We provide assistance through our Client Assistance Program to students who have connected with Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and may be having difficulty achieving their goals.

A student applied to ACCES-VR for an $11,000 grant to open an IT business of his own. There was a misunderstanding of the requirements that needed to be met to receive the funding. In order to qualify, he had more courses to enroll in than he anticipated.

We successfully advocated on his behalf to continue his enrollment in the grant program. He will work with the small business association to draft his self-employment business plan, then submit it to ACCES-VR on his own.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 8 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 56,551 individuals with disabilities living in the 12th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 93 Service Requests for 72 distinct clients living in those 17 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 3 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 4 or nearly 6.06% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 3.86% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 37.50% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 93 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 19 of the requests or 20.43%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 74 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

THE IMPACT OF ABLEISM ON BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

As part of our series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Willowbrook exposé, we held a presentation entitled, “The Impact of Ableism on Barriers to Communication for People with Disabilities.” We heard from a young man we represented about his fight for the right to choose his own guardian.

He spoke about how he felt to be denied an opportunity to speak before the court during the proceeding.

We started our advocacy with him when he determined that his court-appointed guardian was doing a woefully inadequate job on his behalf. After a long contentious legal battle, including many court conferences and countless motions, the opposition agreed to support him. He was finally able to choose a trusted family friend who was eminently qualified as his guardian.

Thanks to our swift and effective advocacy, he now has significantly more control over his guardianship.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 120,472 individuals with disabilities living in the 13th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 84 Service Requests for 71 distinct clients living in those 13 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 6 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 5 or nearly 7.81% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 8.46% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 39.44% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 84 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 21 of the requests or 25.00%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 63 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE ADVOCACY:

Throughout our lives there are unique experiences that produce some of our fondest memories. School dances are one of those experiences. We successfully advocated for a middle school student who was barred from attending a school dance because of her disability.

The school was punishing her because she manifested behaviors related to her disability too close in time before the planned dance. We contacted the school to address the problem.

Just prior to holding an emergency CSE meeting, the school agreed to reverse its decision. She was able to attend and enjoy the dance. We were happy to be a part of preserving this memory for our client.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 74,517 individuals with disabilities living in the 14th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 68 Service Requests for 55 distinct clients living in those 12 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 15 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 6 or nearly 16.67% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 9.24% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 27.27% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 68 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 18 of the requests or 26.47%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 50 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

6 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

7 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

ACCESSIBLE HOME ADVOCACY:

We provide assistance to residents when a landlord denies an accommodation for accessible living spaces.

A woman in Queens County asked her landlord to lower her kitchen cabinets and closet shelves to accommodate her mobility issues. They told her they would be unable to move the cabinets in the kitchen due to a structural issue, however they would lower the closet shelves.

We contacted the building owner and advocated for an alternative solution in the kitchen. They suggested a stand-alone cabinet unit that would be lower to the ground. Shortly after our call, they installed the new cabinet and modified the closet so she can access all the storage she needs.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 123,720 individuals with disabilities living in the 15th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 81 Service Requests for 67 distinct clients living in those 14 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 5 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 4 or nearly 6.56% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 9.37% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 41.79% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 81 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 20 of the requests or 24.69%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 61 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

INACCESSIBLE SIDEWALKS IN BRONX NEIGHBORHOOD:

After nearly two years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issues created by blocked pathways that people with disabilities were facing, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of the residents in the Mount Eden neighborhood. Those living there were being forced to navigate barriers along sidewalks, curb cuts, and crosswalks on a daily basis.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, we surveyed the neighborhood, and found accessibility barriers to the pedestrian pathways, those around the neighborhood’s hospital, and along Mount Eden Mall. All have been impassible because of illegally parked vehicles, ambulances parking on the sidewalks and in front of bus stops, and hospital infrastructure. Despite repeated requests, the city refused to find solutions to remedy the ongoing barriers and to address the lack of parking enforcement by the New York Police Department (NYPD) in this neighborhood.

Along with the Complaint, we filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order seeking a court order for NYPD to enforce existing parking laws that prohibit illegal parking. The US Department of Justice joined the case through a Statement of Interest.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 9 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 95,799 individuals with disabilities living in the 16th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 105 Service Requests for 83 distinct clients living in those 25 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 16 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 3 or nearly 4.69% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.89% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 36.14% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 105 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 30 of the requests or 28.57%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 75 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

AUTOMATIC DOOR FINALLY REPAIRED:

Property management groups are responsible for maintaining the entrances to their buildings to provide independent entry or exit by their residents.

Our advocacy included working with a woman whose home became inaccessible due to a broken automatic door.

We contacted the property management representative and informed them of their responsibility for the repair. Shortly after our call, we confirmed that the door was repaired and is now in good working order.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 70,730 individuals with disabilities living in the 17th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 85 Service Requests for 65 distinct clients living in those 32 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 17 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 4 or nearly 8.70% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.09% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 35.38% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 85 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 22 of the requests or 25.88%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 63 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

ADDITIONAL TUITION WAIVER SECURED:

We provide assistance through our Client Assistance Program to students who have connected with Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) for tuition and have had difficulty receiving their funding or have been denied support.

A student attending the State University of New York (SUNY) applied to (ACCES-VR) for tuition assistance. He was pursuing a double major in geography and digital media production, requiring additional credits and additional tuition.

ACCES-VR denied his request, stating they had applied the maximum amount of assistance to his case as their policies allowed.

We successfully secured a waiver of policy for him, resulting in additional funding beyond the typical maximum rate. Our advocacy secured an additional $13,156, covering the outstanding costs needed for him to complete his final two semesters.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 9 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 78,642 individuals with disabilities living in the 18th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 107 Service Requests for 91 distinct clients living in those 35 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 15 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 16 or nearly 21.05% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.43% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.77% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 107 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 32 of the requests or 29.91%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 75 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

Representative Issue

SYSTEMIC CHANGE THROUGH AN INDIVIDUAL CASE:

Our advocacy work included representing a woman who was wrongfully terminated from her position as a paralegal. She was fired because she was pregnant. We worked to negotiate a resolution she was happy with and that also offered a systemic solution.

The employer agreed to a settlement of lost wages in the amount of $12,500. They also agreed to post an anti-discrimination banner in the workplace and add an anti-discrimination clause to the firm’s employee manual.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 16 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 92,445 individuals with disabilities living in the 19th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 192 Service Requests for 172 distinct clients living in those 75 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 29 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 21 or nearly 15.22% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.62% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 33.14% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 192 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 55 of the requests or 28.65%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 137 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

OBTAINING A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Since the COVID 19 Pandemic, many people have continued to work from home. Many are doing so for health reasons.

We advocated for a man who is diabetic and immune compromised. He was working from home and because of his blurred vision, he needed two standard computers to perform the essential functions of his job.

His employer refused to provide the computers for home use. We connected with the Interim HR Director at his place of work and immediately his accommodation request was granted.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 26 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 97,372 individuals with disabilities living in the 20th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 306 Service Requests for 252 distinct clients living in those 52 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 14 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 49 or nearly 20.68% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.91% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 25.00% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 306 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 84 of the requests or 27.45%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 222 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

ADVOCACY FOR BACK WAGES AND SETTLEMENT:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a barista at a local university café was let go from her position. However, when restrictions were lifted and her employer was bringing people back for the next academic year, she was not offered her position again.

With our assistance, she requested reasonable accommodations to help with her mobility and mental health disabilities. Although she did not get her position back, we successfully negotiated a private settlement with her employer for back-wages totaling almost $4,000.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 13 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 103,149 individuals with disabilities living in the 21st Congressional District and DRNY has handled 154 Service Requests for 126 distinct clients living in those 62 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 30 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 24 or nearly 25.53% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 9.16% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 18.25% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 154 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 47 of the requests or 30.52%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 107 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

ACCESSIBLE ABSENTEE VOTING PROGRAM:

Voting access has been severely impacted by the absentee voting program in New York State. We, along with Disability Rights Advocates and Brown Goldstein & Levy, LLP, successfully reached a settlement with the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) to remedy the issues.

As part of the settlement agreement, NYSBOE will create a statewide program that will allow Blind and Disabled voters to fill out a remote, accessible vote-by-mail ballot online, print it out, and mail or return it to their county Board of Elections.

The settlement required NYSBOE to choose a remote accessible vote-by-mail (RAVBM) system that allows blind people and people with print disabilities to use their own computers to read and mark a ballot. The system would also allow for using their own screen-reader software that converts the ballot content into spoken words or into Braille displayed on a connected device.

NYSBOE also agreed to create a statewide portal that voters can use to request an accessible absentee ballot. They also agreed to train each of the fifty-eight county Boards of Elections on the use of the RAVBM system.

The settlement also requires that:

The county boards provide return envelopes for the ballots, just as they do for paper absentee ballots.

The inside oath envelope into which the ballot is to be placed must have a tactile marking indicating where it is to be signed.

NYSBOE will instruct county Boards of Elections to accept a signature anywhere on the envelope.

County boards will help voters who do not have their own printers to facilitate the printing of their ballots.

We filed a motion with the court against NYSBOE on July 8, 2022 for breach of the settlement agreement because the agency did not have the agreed-upon RAVBM system in place ahead of the June 2022 Primary Election. We also filed a motion for contempt after the NSYBOE refused to take steps to ensure the RAVBM system would be available ahead of the August and November 2022 elections. Because of our post-settlement compliance efforts, the NYSBOE prioritized settlement compliance and implemented the RAVBM system ahead of the November 8, 2022 General Election.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 97,274 individuals with disabilities living in the 22nd Congressional District and DRNY has handled 87 Service Requests for 83 distinct clients living in those 44 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 25 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 11 or nearly 19.64% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 8.39% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.12% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 87 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 21 of the requests or 24.14%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 66 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

Representative Issue

ABUSE AT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY:

We advocated for a client who was assaulted and sexually abused by correction officers at the Elmira Correctional Facility.

We facilitated an investigation into these horrific acts by The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations. We successfully advocated for his transfer from Elmira to Auburn, where he feels safer. The outcome of the investigation into the officers is not yet known, though we are following up.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 106,990 individuals with disabilities living in the 23rd Congressional District and DRNY has handled 74 Service Requests for 66 distinct clients living in those 34 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 18 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 9 or nearly 19.57% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 6.76% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 24.24% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 74 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 20 of the requests or 27.03%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 54 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

SYSTEMIC WORK IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:

Sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) will often mean that adjustments will need to be made throughout a person’s life. Along with those changes, oftentimes there will be additional barriers that are faced while finding adequate treatment and support.

Our work this year included assisting a woman who was facing several obstacles. There were irregularities in the management of her prescribed medications and lack of access to outside medical providers. She also had no discharge planning to facilitate her placement in a less restrictive, community-based residence with proper supports.

Through meeting with the members of the treatment team, we identified more systemic problems. Staff had an inadequate understanding of TBI and its manifestations. They were unaware that people with TBI’s communication issues are often mischaracterized as aggressive or difficult. Consequently, requests for assistance and access to services were being placed on a back burner or dismissed entirely.

Providers are unfamiliar with how the TBI waiver program works and what options are available. Our systemic work going forward will focus on educating providers and assist those with TBI.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 98,560 individuals with disabilities living in the 24th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 83 Service Requests for 78 distinct clients living in those 37 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 9 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 12 or nearly 17.65% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 8.57% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 32.05% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 83 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 19 of the requests or 22.89%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 64 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FROM ABUSE AND THEFT:

We advocated for a young woman who had been living in her own apartment with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver. She was receiving 24/7 healthcare and she was able to attend a day program four days a week.

Due to an injury, she required hospitalization and was sent to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation. During this time, her sister, who was also her power of attorney, lied to the hospital and the facility about the prior community residency.

During our investigation, the young woman’s TBI waiver coordinator revealed more disturbing information. Her sister was engaging in more illegal behavior to keep her in the nursing facility, while also stealing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits card and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) checks.

We contacted the facility immediately and reported the misinformation and financial abuse being perpetrated. We then successfully transitioned her back to her home and assisted in revoking her sister’s power of attorney.

She is now back home and once gain enjoying her day program, relieved that her sister no longer has control over her finances and other critical aspects of her life.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 11 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 104,479 individuals with disabilities living in the 25th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 136 Service Requests for 114 distinct clients living in those 34 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 5 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 9 or nearly 8.41% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 8.94% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 23.68% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 136 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 32 of the requests or 23.53%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 104 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Representative Issue

THOUSANDS OF MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CHILDREN DENIED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT :

New York State is currently facing a mental health crisis; one that affects all our family members who have a mental health diagnosis. Most shockingly, Medicaid-eligible children with significant mental health conditions are being deprived of mental health services they need to remain safely in their homes and communities. This crisis is the direct result of New York State’s longstanding failure to provide the services they are legally obligated to provide.

The impact of these failures is devastating. Access to services, including crisis response, is often what stands between these children and long-term admission to psychiatric facilities. Without adequate services, the families of these children are forced to rely on hospital emergency rooms during periods of crisis. Such facilities provide short-term care that fails to address underlying conditions. This pattern of system response far too often results in the children experiencing deterioration of their mental health conditions and prolonged disruption of their educations, family relationships, and community connections.

Along with our litigation partners, including Children’s Rights, the National Health Law Program, and the Proskauer Rose law firm, we filed a federal class action lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health and the Office of Mental Health.

We are seeking the creation of a system in New York State that provides timely access to medically necessary mental health service. Those services include providing assessments and service planning, the intensive care coordination that successfully links the multiple systems serving these children, intensive and home-based behavioral services, and mobile crisis services as needed.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 6 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 105,877 individuals with disabilities living in the 26th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 76 Service Requests for 59 distinct clients living in those 28 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 4 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 2 or nearly 3.77% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.71% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 30.51% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 76 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 19 of the requests or 25.00%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 57 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

Representative Issue

INVESTIGATION OF ABUSE AND FINANCIAL MISUSE ALLEGATIONS:

Allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial misuse were brought to us by a woman whose mother is living in a New York State nursing home.

The nursing home is serving as Representative Payee for eighty (80) Social Security beneficiaries, including the mother we were now advocating for. Allegations included a lack of adequate medical care, improper billing, inadequate financial documentation, failure to provide beneficiaries’ personal needs money as required, and improper handling of beneficiaries’ Economic Impact Payments (EIP).

Our Representative Payee Team determined that the nursing home was the subject of an active review for the Social Security Administration (SSA) under a different name. We substantiated the allegations and SSA is now in the process of determining whether the nursing home is suitable to be a Representative Payee.

OUR CLIENTS

Over this 12 month period, DRNY averaged 7 Service Requests per month from individuals in your District. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, there are 99,462 individuals with disabilities living in the 27th Congressional District and DRNY has handled 82 Service Requests for 73 distinct clients living in those 32 zip codes.

Clients by Age

In your district DRNY assisted some of the most vulnerable individuals. 27 unique clients were residents of nursing homes, hospitals, correctional facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and youthfocused residential facilities. Of the residents living in the community, 2 or nearly 4.65% of DRNY’s unique clients were under 18. According to census data, individuals under 18 account for 7.82% of civilian, non-institutionalized individuals with a disability.

The following table shows that 24.66% of DRNY’s clients are age 55 or older.

*Demographic information is not required to receive DRNY services.

Clients from Under-Represented Groups

DRNY affirmatively seeks to provide services to historically under-represented groups. The following charts compare race and ethnicity demographics for the entire State of New York with that of DRNY’s clients.

SERVICE REQUESTS

There were a total 82 service requests in this reporting period. DRNY provided full case services in 23 of the requests or 28.05%. DRNY provided Information and Referral (I&R) services to the remaining 59 requests.

DRNY makes appropriate referrals to other agencies in those matters where the issues are outside DRNY’s priorities, or because DRNY lacks the resources to undertake the matter. DRNY also provides information regarding the clients’ rights and available options. These matters vary from consumer financial issues, evictions, or other legal issues that are unrelated to the client’s disability.

Service Requests by Program

Response Time to Service Requests

7 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 7 DAYS

7 of these Service Requests were resolved in less than 14 DAYS

Areas Covered by Service Requests

Representative Issue

ADVOCACY FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Reasonable accommodations are available to all people, including those who are serving out a sentence in a correctional facility.

For over a year we advocated for an incarcerated man who is legally blind. On his own, he filed several grievances requesting braille or a magnifier as a reasonable accommodation. The grievance requests were either denied or ignored completely.

We successfully advocated for the necessary accommodations. He was able to purchase his own digital magnifier and was allowed keep it with him at all times.

DRNY PROGRAMS

All DRNY work is conducted with recognition that the people we serve combat persistent societal stigmatization and can be members of traditionally underserved communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. We develop systemic advocacy projects to address patterns of discrimination, including state and federal class action litigation, monitoring and investigation, published reports and policymaker education.

CAP Program

CAP is an advocacy resource for people with disabilities who are seeking, receiving, or have been denied services from state vocational rehabilitation agencies. In NYS those agencies are the Commission for the Blind and ACCES-VR. We help people get the services they need in order to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment.

PAAT Program

Our PAAT program helps people understand their rights to use medical devices or technology that can aid them in managing their disability. Collectively this is called Assistive Technology (AT). We help people navigate legal issues such as insurance denials of coverage for AT or related services, access to medical care that requires use of AT, housing accommodations, workplace accommodations, and accommodations in school.

PABSS Program

Our PABSS program helps people remove barriers to being successfully employed. Some of those barriers include denial of reasonable accommodations, lack of accessible transportation to get to work, or being discriminated against while at work. Potential clients must be under age 65, and must currently be receiving SSI and/or SSDI.

PADD Program

Our PADD program provides both systemic and individual advocacy to people with ID/DD. We investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, and rights violations. We monitor locations where people with disabilities receive services. We work to enforce and expand the rights of all people with ID/DD through lawsuits, public reports, education, outreach, and self-advocacy support.

PAIMI Program

Our PAIMI program provides both systemic and individual advocacy to people with a mental health diagnosis. We advocate on behalf of individuals living in the community, as well as in congregate care settings, including psychiatric facilities, adult homes, jails, and prisons. We work to enforce and expand the rights of all people with mental illness through lawsuits, public reports, education, outreach, and self-advocacy support.

PAIR Program

Our PAIR program serves people with disabilities who are not eligible for assistance from our other programs. We work to ensure that they are free from discrimination in housing, employment, education, and access to public accommodations and that they are included in emergency preparedness initiatives.

PARP Program

Our PARP program protects Social Security beneficiaries that require the assistance of a representative payee from financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect. A representative payee is a person or an organization who assists someone who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. We review the performance of representative payees through beneficiary and payee interviews, onsite inspections, and a detailed review of financial and other documentation. These reviews ensure the wellbeing of beneficiaries while educating payees on how to better serve them.

PATBI Program

Our PATBI program helps people with TBI navigate legal issues that may affect all aspects of their lives, including access to medical care, housing accommodations, workplace accommodations, and accommodations in school. We ensure that people with TBI and their families have access to information, referrals and advice, individual and family advocacy, legal representation, and specific assistance in self-advocacy.

PAVA Program

Our PAVA program helps ensure that people with disabilities are included in the election process. Civic engagement and inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities, is paramount to our democracy. We ensure that every qualified person with a disability has access to vote on Election Day.

MAILING ADDRESS: Disability Rights New York, 279 Troy Road, Ste 9, PMB 236, Rensselaer, NY 12144

DRNY is supported at taxpayer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Administration for Community Living; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This publication does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.