An additional toll has been added in NYC which you can avoid if your child has a disability.

A plan called the Individual Disability Exemption Plan has been put into effect to avoid this toll for anyone that is transporting an individual with a disability. 

This is available for people (or their caregivers) that have a physical disability preventing them from taking public transportation. The exemption will be placed on the car via the EZ Pass Account. The car must be registered under the child or caregiver's name. 

In order to apply for this exemption, you will have to show proof that your child has a disability. This can done with one of the following options:

1. A copy of his/her Access A Ride ID card
2. A New York City Parking Permit for people with disabilities
3. Getting an assessment done at an IDEP assessment center.

If you have one of these options, you can follow this link to sign up https://idep.mta.info/idep/. 

If you do not have any of the above, you will first have to establish eligibility. 

You can do this at an IDEP eligibility assessment center. You can schedule an appointment by calling any of the preferred locations:

Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx 844 - 233 - 3377

Manhattan 888-811-1050

Staten Island 866-685-0690

Find out how we can help you.

Call 212-747-8763.

Monsey Chanukah Party

Last Sunday, was our annual Chanukah Party in Monsey. It was an amazing event, bringing together over 150 families for a day of fun, connection, and joy.

The event created a safe, judgment-free space where families with children with special needs felt a sense of togetherness and community. It was a day to relax, bond, and celebrate their children in an uplifting environment.

Our families enjoyed a delicious supper, a Dr. Shnitzel show, craft activities, a photo booth, and face painting.

If you did not receive the pictures you took, feel free to email us with a picture of your family, and we will match it with the pictures we have.

We were honored to be joined by State Senator Bill Weber, Assemblyman Aron Weider, and Roger Bearden.

Thank you to Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Rabbi Leibesh Becker, and Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus for joining us!

Thank you to our awesome volunteers Rikki Berger, Noami Geller, Tzippy Goldschmit, Nechama Levy, Tzahala Nussbaum, Ayala Prero, and Rikki Weiss! We could not have done it without you!

The Not-So-Technical Definition of a Consequence:

A consequence is not a punishment.

A consequence is what comes AFTER the behavior.

Are your consequences punishments or reinforcement?

Punishment: decreases future occurrences of the behavior

Reinforcement: increases future occurrences of the behavior

For Example: A child is sneaking a sweet treat when he's not supposed to have it. Do you take it away or ignore it?

Hint: a consequence occurs AFTER the behavior.

Trick Question!! BOTH are consequences!!

Each response teaches our child something else.

Take away the treat: the child has to try another method of getting that desired treat.

This is a great teaching opportunity to teach the child to ask appropriately.

Ignore: child can get a treat again by sneaking it.

It’s ok to ignore behaviors, just make sure that you're sending the message that you actually want to send to your child!

Hindy Teichman MSEd, BCBA, LBA has a boutique practice in Brooklyn, NY, Social Trends ABA, where she specializes in treating complex behavior challenges in children with autism. To inquire about services, Hindy can be reached at hindy@socialtrendsaba.com.

Simchos

We recently had a beautiful bris, and I wanted to share a piece of advice that ended up being incredibly helpful for us. As the day approached, I was faced with a dilemma: should I bring my daughter, who has special needs, to the bris? I had planned to bring her along, either with the help of an aide or a high school student willing to come late to school. However, the shul’s elevator wasn’t working, and I knew it would be challenging to manage her wheelchair stroller and the baby’s stroller up the stairs.

I was hoping we could make it work, but then a close friend offered an unexpected solution. She was going to be off from work that day and offered to take my daughter to her house while the bris was happening. At first, I thought it was a crazy idea—how could I leave my daughter behind on such an important day? After all, it was her brother’s bris, and I couldn’t imagine her not being there.

After talking it over with my husband and thinking more about it, we realized that my daughter would actually be much happier staying with my friend. She would get to relax, do things she enjoys, and avoid being uncomfortable at the bris. We could always take a family photo afterward to include her.

In the end, it was one of the best decisions we made. My daughter had a wonderful time with my friend, and I am so grateful for her offer. It allowed me to think outside the box and find a solution that worked best for everyone—especially our little one with special needs.

Sometimes, we need to step back and consider alternatives that might not be immediately obvious. It was a reminder of how important it is to take care of our children’s unique needs, even in situations that seem challenging.

Thank you again to my wonderful friend, and I hope this story can offer some helpful perspective to anyone navigating similar situations.

- Shira Kaufman

Shabbos Afternoon Respite (Brooklyn)

There is a new Shabbos afternoon respite program happening every Shabbos from 2:30-5:30 PM in Brooklyn!

It is geared towards children ages 4-8.

It is located near E 19th and R with walkers provided.

For more information, reach out to Sarah at 818-667-0826.

Yachad @ Simcha Day Camp

We are so excited to share with you that for the first time ever the Five Towns will have a day camp for our children with special needs!

Yachad will have their own bunk within Simcha Day Camp for boys ages 6-10 with developmental disabilites.

July 1- August 20, 2025

Monday- Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Friday 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM

To find out more call 212-613-8369.

Residential Placement

We know how hard it is for adults with special needs to get placement in a group home. We are always thinking about the many of you who have reached out. We wanted to share an update from OPWDD regarding housing.

OPWDD is improving how it matches people with certified residential services, focusing on those with the most urgent needs.

As part of this effort, OPWDD is introducing a new Administrative Directive Memorandum (ADM) that will guide how certified housing opportunities are managed. This ADM is part of a larger plan to make the process more efficient and person-centered, in line with new state regulations effective June 2023.

The ADM clarifies the roles of OPWDD staff, residential providers, and Care Managers. Key points include:

• Care Managers must explore all housing options to find the least restrictive option for each person.
• OPWDD will assess if a person needs certified housing.
• Housing opportunities will be prioritized for those with the greatest need.
• People and their families must be supported to make informed decisions that reflect their needs and preferences.
• OPWDD will assign priority levels based on factors like the person's care needs, family support, and safety.

Zebras and Unciorns

Click below to read a beautiful article from Chaya Friedman about mothers of kids with rare syndromes.

If you have a writing you would like to share, email yahalomny@agudah.org.