A PUBLICATION OF DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW YORK
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Disability Rights New York (DRNY) is the Protection & Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program for persons with disabilities in New York State. DRNY advocates for the civil and legal rights for New Yorkers with disabilities.
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Findings Letter: DOCCS and OMH
Neglected Inmate Who Committed Suicide
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DRNY issued a
findings letter
to NYS Department of Corrections & Community Supervision (DOCCS) and NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) concluding that both agencies neglected Benjamin Van Zandt prior to his suicide. Mr. Van Zandt was a twenty one (21) year old inmate with serious mental illness at Fishkill Correctional Facility at the time of his death. After an altercation with another inmate, Mr. Van Zandt was moved to a confinement cell pending a disciplinary hearing. Less than twenty-four (24) hours later he told staff that he was having thoughts of hurting himself. Over the course of the next eleven (11) days, both DOCCS and OMH ignored Mr. Van Zandt’s mental health history and his voiced fear of feeling unsafe and suicidal.
Mr. Van Zandt was given a sanction of an additional thirty (30) days of confinement, and within a few hours of hearing this, Mr. Van Zandt committed suicide. DOCCS and OMH have not responded to this findings letter.
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DRNY Partners with Historic Stonewall Inn
Educating Businesses on the Americans With Disabilities Act
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In front of a packed house at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village NYC, DRNY educated several businesses regarding their obligations under the ADA. This event was a joint effort of DRNY, the Stonewall Inn, the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vet Dogs. DRNY was sought out by the Stonewell Inn after Lynn Zelvin, who walks with a guide dog, was refused entrance to the LGBTQ+ landmark and nightclub. After the owners became aware of what had transpired, they contacted DRNY and invited us to this community gathering.
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ICYMI August 4, 2018 was Assistance Dog Day!
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OPWDD IS MAKING CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES:
WHAT ALL STAKEHOLDERS NEED TO KNOW!
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On June 7, 2018, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (“OPWDD”) enacted emergency regulation
14 NYCRR § 629.1
which impacts eligibility for services. OPWDD is also seeking to make the emergency regulation permanent.
Learn More..
.
Q. What does the proposed regulation do?
The regulation codifies (puts into a legal form) specific eligibility requirements for people seeking the Home and Community Based Services (“HCBS”) Waiver from OPWDD.
Q. Why is DRNY concerned about the proposed regulation?
The regulation goes beyond what the law says is allowed in determining eligibility.
The New York State Legislature has already specified the eligibility requirements for people seeking OPWDD supports and services.
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NLADA 2018 Litigation and Advocacy Leaders Conference
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DRNY’s Legal Director Jennifer Monthie presented with Greg Bass, National Center for Law and Economic Justice and Elizabeth Westfall, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Justice at this year’s National Legal Aid & Defender Association Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Their session
,
Using the ADA on Behalf of Low-Income Persons with Disabilities: Cutting Edge Issues
, discussed how to use innovative advocacy tools to address obstacles faced by low-income persons with disabilities. Ms. Monthie highlighted DRNY’s advocacy at sheltered workshops, and addressing guardianship and the termination of parental rights.
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NYC Commission on Human Rights Provides Training to DRNY
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Paula L. Sanders, a Human Rights Specialist with the NYC Commission on Human Rights for the last 28 years, stopped by our Brooklyn office to talk about the work of the Commission. Ms. Sanders described the scope of the NYC Human Rights Law, including recent additions to the types of people protected by this law. DRNY also heard about the Commission’s protocol when an individual reaches out for assistance, including Project Equal Access, a pre-complaint program for resolution of discriminatory practices. Finally, Ms. Sanders described the Commission’s specific programs that we can utilize as referrals for our clients. We look forward to sharing these resources with our Community and to future collaborations with the Commission.
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Public Comment Period for DRNY's 2018-2019 Program Priorities
DRNY is seeking public comment on our priorities. Please send us your feedback before
August 31, 2018. You can submit comments via email, phone or U.S. mail.
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DRNY Files
Lawsuit
Against DOCCS for
Failure to Provide Services
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DRNY filed a lawsuit, on behalf of three named plaintiffs, against
DOCCS, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Commissioner Anthony Annucci and the State of New York. DOCCS houses inmates who need a higher level of medical attention than inmates housed in the general population in five Regional Medical Units (RMUs). These RMUs are located in Correctional Facilities around the state. DRNY is challenging a practice of denying services to inmates who live in RMUs. DOCCS offers services, like vocational training, religious services, the law library and family reunification services to inmates in general population. However, inmates housed in RMUs are not allowed to attend these services.
This is a clear discriminatory policy and it is prohibited by the ADA and Section 504.
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DRNY Appointed to Serve on the New York Court Advisory Committee on Access for People with Disabilities
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We are happy to announce that Jennifer Monthie Legal Director will represent DRNY on the Committee
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Empire State of Rights Behind the Logo
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DRNY launched our Empire State of Rights logo this year and we wanted to share with you our thinking behind its creation.
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Disability PRIDE Brooklyn
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The Brooklyn Disability Pride Parade was July 15, 2018. DRNY staff took to the street to show our support!
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National Disability Voter Registration Week
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National Disability Voter Registration Week was July 15-21, 2018 and we were traveling around New York State getting people registered!
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Do you know someone with a passion for advocating for people with disabilities? DRNY is growing and we encourage you to share the news far and wide.
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Empire State of Rights Podcast
One More Way DRNY is Getting the Word Out
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On August 1, 2018 DRNY launched our podcast - Empire State of Rights: Closed Captioned
We will be discussing important issues that DRNY is advocating for and addressing questions about who we are and what we do. If you have an idea for a topic let us know!
Make sure you visit our
YouTube Channel
and subscribe so you won't miss it!
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You Shop AmazonSmile Gives
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Amazon.com makes it so easy to support the work we do here at DRNY! Visit
AmazonSmile and choose Disability Rights New York - You shop - Amazon.com gives!!
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We are looking for art to feature in our campaigns throughout 2018. This is an open call for
all media (paintings, sketches, photos, videos, projection, or digital art).
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DRNY is supported by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; 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 Newsletter does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.
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