The DNNYC Newsletter
Month of March Marks Start of Year 3 of the Disabilities
Network!
The Disabilities Network of New York City (DNNYC)
has completed two full years on March 10 of this year, and is launching into
its third year of (as the mission states) coordinating ìa coalition
of consumers, advocates and professional organizations representing and working
on behalf of people of all ages with motor and sensory disabilities. The Network
seeks, through systems advocacy, to promote full participation of people with
physical disabilities in the life of the city by strengthening appropriate
citywide policies, resources, services and legal protections; assuring reasonable
accommodations; and building informed and accurate public perception about
people with disabilities.î
Central to the work of DNNYC and its members' advocacy is the Disability
Budget & Policy Coalition Agenda. This year, the membership voted
on the Network's priority issues campaigns. The issues selected were:
» Building Codes: Ensuring that NYC's built environment is accessible;
» Transportation: Monitoring transit providers' compliance with ADA;
» Housing: Advocating for increased accessible, affordable housing;
» Employment: Working to move the needle to increase employment opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities in NYC;
» NYC2012: Supporting NYC's bid to host the Olympics & Paralympics in 2012, and providing advice regarding accessibility.
» Topical issues: As required, when
called upon, or depending on public events, the Network will issue action
alerts to the community where needed.
Thanks to all who have participated in support of our strategies to implement
positive change.
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NYC Disability Budget & Policy Coalition Agenda
for 2004-2005 & Guest Speaker from Medicare Rights Center to be Focus
of Mar. 18 Meeting
Join the Network's membership at United Way of NYC, 2 Park Avenue,
2nd floor (between 32 & 33 Streets) 3-5 PM, Thursday, March 186. RSVP
at 212-251-4071 or email alexander@dnnyc.net.
ASL interpreters and assistive listening system will be provided.
Join Disabilities Network members and interested members of the private and
public sectors to discuss how public policymakers can work together to improve
access to NYC programs and services.
DNNYC's Development Program Grows, Thanks to Funders!
In addition to United Way of NYC's continuing generous start-up funding over the course of the past two years, the Network has received substantial contributions from Fund for the City of New York and the Inner Circle to continue developing its work to increase visibility & presence of people with disabilities in the public policymaking process! In addition, a grant from the New York Community Trust, which administers the Henry K.S. Williams Trust, has made it possible to hire a program coordinator, starting at DNNYC on Mar. 1. Please welcome Lev Brudnoy, a Master's degree candidate in Political Science at Brooklyn College. He can be reached at 212-251-2466, or at lbrudnoy@uwnyc.org.
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A Note on DNNYC's Founding Funders & Partners
in Development
DNNYC's start-up has been funded by United Way of New York City since the
organization's launch in March, 2002, and mid-March of this year marks 2 years
in DNNYC's development of a physical disabilities impact network representing
people with motor & sensory disabilities & service providers to build
a citywide coalition that speaks with one voice to public policymakers; finding
creative solutions for problems affecting the disability community. DNNYC
is a member of the Incubator Program at Fund for the City of New York, which
provides technical assistance and infrastructure development for emerging
nonprofits. A development program is currently evolving which will move DNNYC
towards independence and sustainability for the long-term.
Help Network Membership Grow
Please join or renew your membership in the Disabilities Network of New York
City (DNNYC), as the Network's fiscal year started October 1, 2003. Many members
have already renewed, but now is the time, if you have not yet done so, to
pony up and re-submit your dues. Thanks for joining and for your support.
You help to build visibility and presence for people with disabilities where
public policy is concerned, and it's important that you be at the table.
The Largest Minority - WBAI's Radio Show on Disability
News & Culture
The Largest Minority, a radio show on WBAI 99.5 FM produced by Phil Beder and hosted by Brendan Costello & Thomas K. Small, Esq., will air next on Thursday, March 12 at 11 AM. The show features news and commentary for commercial-free listener-sponsored radio's progressive mainstream audience. Additional segments will air on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11 AM.
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Plug into the Network Via the DNNYC Listserv &
Website
The Disabilities Network of New York City listserv is the spot on the Internet
where members exchange ideas & post announcements for the community. Join
170+ colleagues! Point your browser to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dnnyc.
Also visit www.dnnyc.net, our website, for updated information regarding upcoming
events, membership, membership forms, public testimony, and more
The Disabilities Network of New York City is a coalition of consumers, advocates and professional organizations representing and working on behalf of people of all ages with motor and sensory disabilities. DNNYC seeks, through systems advocacy, to promote full participation of people with physical disabilities in the life of the city by strengthening appropriate citywide policies, resources, services and legal protections; assuring reasonable accommodations; and building informed and accurate public perception about people with disabilities.
Contact Information:
Alexander Wood,
tel: 212-251-4071
email: awood@uwnyc.org
web: www.dnnyc.net
Mailing Address:
Disabilities Network of NYC,
2 Park Avenue, 2nd floor,
NY NY 10016
