September 5, 2024 

We are excited to announce that the September 2024 edition of the HILC Newsletter is now available! 🎉 This issue highlights our recent advocacy successes, including the ADA Anniversary Event and our participation in the Disability Unite Festival. We are also thrilled to introduce Jordan Smith to our team. Do not miss out on these important updates and more. Click here to read the full newsletter and stay informed about our ongoing efforts to advance accessibility and community engagement.

— HILC Team

August 27, 2024 

HILC is pleased to announce a successful collaboration with Columbia University students, who joined us today for a significant community outreach initiative. The event was aimed at enhancing community engagement through the sharing of flyers and education.

The Columbia students brought enthusiasm to the outreach. Their involvement highlights the value of joint efforts in driving impactful results.

HILC extends its sincere appreciation to the students for their dedication and valuable input. This partnership marks a step forward in our ongoing commitment to community development and engagement.

Our July 2024 Newsletter is live here

April 2, 2024

The inaugural members of the advisory council represent a broad spectrum of nonprofit organizations, including those focused on social services, education, arts and culture, and advocacy. Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will ensure that the advisory council effectively addresses the needs of the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Advisory Council will be co-chaired by Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services Interim Executive Director Diane Mamet, Union Settlement President and Chief Executive Officer Reverend Dr. Darlene Williams, and Urban Pathways Chief Executive Officer Frederick Shack.

Read full article on NYC.gov here: 

June 5, 2024

Governor Hochul’s decision to tell the MTA to kill off congestion pricing without a viable funding stream in place puts major subway accessibility projects at severe risk. She must reverse course or immediately direct other state funds and revenue to the MTA so these crucial projects can move forward.

Two years ago, four of our groups settled civil rights lawsuits against the MTA that require it to make at least 95% of New York City subway stations accessible, along with Staten Island Railway stations. Governor Hochul proudly claimed credit for the settlement.

We need those elevators and other essential transit projects to move forward so that disabled New Yorkers can take full advantage of our city’s vital transit system. And Governor Hochul’s last-minute move will delay them.

If Governor Hochul is truly committed to accessible subways and an accessible New York, she must find a progressive source of funding that will get those elevators in place without delay.

For more information, contact:

Joe Rappaport, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, [email protected], 646-284-1078

Margaret Della, Bronx Independent Living Services, [email protected], 929-388-7425

Jean Ryan, Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York, [email protected], 917-658-0760

Yasmin Campbell, Harlem Independent Living Center, [email protected], 212-222-7122

Carla Brodsky, Staten Island Center for Independent Living, [email protected]  718-720-9016

Our Executive Director, Yaw Appiadu was among the nonprofit leaders in New York City who were invited to Gracie Mansion by Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Almanzar.

Click here to read more.

Click here to check on the Vacancy Announcement

Our Spring 2024 Newsletter is live here

Our first newsletter is live here

TOKYO, Japan (December 4, 2014) Ambassador Caroline Kennedy welcomes Special Advisor for International Disability Rights Judith Heumann to Japan. Special Advisor Heumann is visiting Japan to discuss disability rights and initiatives during the country’s Disability Week. [State Department photo by William Ng/Public Domain][/caption]

The news of the loss of Judith Heumann saddens us. If you know anything about the Disability Rights movement, you know about Judy’s fierce advocacy, knowledge, and fearlessness when demanding accessibility for all disabled people. In her mind, Disability Rights were and are Human Rights.

As she said many times, she wanted to see feisty disabled people change the world. We hope we can honor her memory with feisty, good trouble that will change the world and make it accessible for all people with all disabilities.

We at Harlem Independent Living Center remember Judith for her compassion, courage, and steadfastness and as a shining example of how to positively change the world by fighting for the rights of people with disabilities.

We send our deepest condolences to her husband, Jorge Pineda, and their family.

To honor Judy, here is a link to Crip Camp to watch free online:

Crip Camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFS8SpwioZ4

Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action Lawsuits

You Might Be Affected by a Proposed Class Action About the Accessibility of the New York City Subway System

If you would like the notices in other languages (Spanish, Chinese, Bengali, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian) you can find them all on our website here: https://dralegal.org/case/de-la-rosa-v-mta/ (we’re still working on uploading them to other locations).
 
 DRA Fairness Hearing: https://dralegal.org/class-notice/nyc-subways-settlement-fairness-hearing/.