Center for Independence of the Disabled New York

09/11/2026

Join us for CIDNY’s Third Annual Gala, Accessibility Transforms Lives, on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. to celebrate the powerful impact of advocacy on New York City’s disability community—and support the critical work still ahead.

Featuring:

*Keynote by Jenna Bainbridge (she/her), actor, singer, and disability rights advocate, currently appearing on Broadway as Nessarose in Wicked.

*Award presentations honoring outstanding disability justice advocates.

*The beautiful and fully accessible Perelman Arts Center at the World Trade Center.

Since 1978, CIDNY has fought for improved accessibility for all New Yorkers. In 2025 alone, we directly helped 75,000 New Yorkers with disabilities to overcome barriers and access better physical health, mental health, housing, education, employment, voting, and transportation. Our annual gala is a celebration of all that we have accomplished, and a fundraiser to support the work yet to come.

What: CIDNY's 2026 Gala
When: Monday, October 05, 2026, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC), 251 Fulton Street New York, NY 10007

Get your tickets now at: https://www.cidny.org/cidny2026gala/

09/10/2026

Dr. Sharon McLennon Wier joined WBAI 99.5 FM New York's Living for the City to speak about disability issues in NYC, specifically regarding Olmstead and transit.

Listen to the full interview here (Dr. McLennon Wier's segment begins around 33:30):

Listen Live On The Air Archives - Previously Aired Program Schedule Program Information Donate One-Time Cash Donation Donation With Thank-You Gift Monthly Donation - BAI Buddy Ways to Donate Get To Know Us About Us Staff Mission Pacifica Foundation Local Station Board Community Advisory Board Our Pa...

09/09/2026

Today is the first session of CIDNY’s Wednesday Pathfinder Peer Group. This is a counseling-focused group for individuals who are currently job seeking or already employed. This group provides a supportive space to discuss the emotional and personal experiences that can come with searching for work, starting a new job, and maintaining employment.

What will we focus on?
• Managing stress, anxiety, and emotions related to job searching or employment
• Building confidence and coping with rejection, setbacks, or self-doubt
• Navigating workplace relationships and adjustment
• Exploring career goals, motivation, and employment-related concerns

What can I expect?
• Guided group discussions and reflection
• Emotional support from others with similar experiences
• Strategies for coping with job-search and workplace stress
• A supportive space to discuss employment-related challenges

When and where is the Wednesday Pathfinder Peer Group?
• Wednesdays, beginning September 9, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• This will be an in-person group
• CIDNY’s Manhattan Office, 1010 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018
• No pre-registration required

You do not have to attend today to join future meetings. Please join us at any time!

For more information about the Wednesday Pathfinder Peer Group or individual job counseling sessions, please reach out to: Sara Schacter-Erenburg, Director of Vocational and Employment Services, at [email protected]

09/09/2026

Join us in just one week, on Wednesday, September 16, during Disability Voting Rights Week for September’s CAN meeting. We will focus on voting rights and issues. Featuring presentations from: Diane Burrows from League of Women Voters NYC: Create Your Voting Action Plan, Ama Acquah from NYC Votes: What’s On the Ballot?, and Michael Ring, Disability Voting Rights Advocate: Becoming a poll worker as a person with a disability. We will also hold a workshop on voter registration and mail-in ballot requests.

We’ll also be giving away free swag (t-shirts and other items) while supplies last!

This is a hybrid meeting with the option to be in person at CIDNYs Manhattan office or online via Zoom.

What: CIDNY’s Consumer Action Network (CAN) Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: CIDNYs Manhattan office or online via Zoom
RSVP: https://www.tinyurl.com/CIDNY4All

09/08/2026

Today is the start of CIDNY’s Tuesday Job Club! CIDNY's Tuesday Job Club is a group for individuals who are looking for a job and/or struggling with job retention. It's a deep dive skill building hour long session.

What will we focus on?
• Resume, cover letter, and interview preparation
• Networking and job-search strategies
• Disability disclosure and requesting accommodations
• Workplace communication and knowing where to seek support

What can I expect?
Participants can expect to learn and refine:
• Job-search and interviewing skills
• Self-advocacy and workplace communication skills
• Strategies for navigating employment and workplace challenges

Meetings occur each Tuesday from 2p.m. - 3 p.m. and will focus on topics like resume, cover letter, and interview preparation, networking and job-search strategies, disability disclosure and requesting accommodations, workplace communication and knowing where to seek support, and more. For more information and/or to attend, contact [email protected]

09/04/2026

CIDNY’s Dr. Sharon recently joined The Recruiters with Tom Duane to speak about issues such as voting rights and other general accessibility issues.

Watch the full interview here (or on Manhattan Neighborhood Network - MNN or BronxNet Community Television on your cable provider):

Tom talks with Dr. Sharon McLennon Weir, Executive Director at the ...

09/03/2026

Join us on Wednesday, September 16, during Disability Voting Rights Week for September’s CAN meeting where we will focus on voting rights and issues. Featuring presentations from: Diane Burrows from League of Women Voters NYC: Create Your Voting Action Plan, Ama Acquah from NYC Votes: What’s On the Ballot?, and Michael Ring, Disability Voting Rights Advocate: Becoming a poll worker as a person with a disability. We will also hold a workshop on voter registration and mail-in ballot requests.

We’ll also be giving away free swag (t-shirts and other items) while supplies last! This is a hybrid meeting with the option to be in person at CIDNYs Manhattan office or online via Zoom.

What: CIDNY’s Consumer Action Network (CAN) Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: CIDNYs Manhattan office or online via Zoom
RSVP: https://www.tinyurl.com/CIDNY4All

09/02/2026

We recently spoke with The New York Times about the impact that bollards can have on people with disabilities in NYC.

"Sharon McLennon Wier, the executive director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, said that as a blind person she often bumps into bollards despite using a cane. “If the cane happens to go through those pillars, it’s great for the cane — but then my body will slam right into it,” she said."

Full article at the link below.

A symbol of the hardening of America’s urban landscapes — and also a decent perch for a quick slice of pizza.

09/01/2026

CIDNY's September 2026 newsletter is out now! Read it here: https://cidny.org/cidny-quick-takes/.

Not on the email list? Sign up here and never miss an update, event, or announcement: https://cidny.org/join-us/

To subscribe to our newsletter, action alerts, and other updates, ADD YOUR EMAIL HERE. 2026 August 2026 - Queens - (LARGE FONT VERSION) July 2026 - Queens - (LARGE FONT VERSION) June 2026 - Queens - (LARGE FONT VERSION) May 2026 - Queens - (LARGE FONT VERSION) April 2026 - Queens - (LARGE FONT VE

08/31/2026

Can you spare a minute to share your experience finding your way around the MTA? The more experiences are shared, the better we can do to make sure transit is accessible to all.

Take the survey from PCAC- Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA here:

We want to hear your thoughts on MTA signage and wayfinding for an upcoming report. Have you looked at a…