Disability INC.

The Ultimate Test: Travel Training on 9/11

The skills learned in travel training by students with disabilities were put to the ultimate test on 9/11/2001. Hear Peggy Groce, creator and former director of the NYCDOE Travel Training program recount their extraordinary experience. 

Navigating Life: Thoughts on education, ableism, and advocacy

Tyrese Alleyne-Davis is currently a graduating senior at the Henry Viscardi School in Long Island, NY. He has triplegic cerebral palsy which requires him to use a wheelchair. For the past 10 years, he has been a public speaker, giving keynote addresses for many children's organizations such as the Starlight Children's Foundation, S.K.I.P. of NY, New Alternatives for Children, and INCLUDEnyc. Earlier this year, he had the distinct pleasure of addressing legislators in Albany, NY advocating for 4201 State Funded Schools. Additionally, Tyrese has had the opportunity to address the Black Law Student Association at Harvard Law School and speak at Columbia University's Disability Caucus. Last summer, Tyrese was one of twenty high school students chosen out of 500 applicants to intern at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.

 

Academically, Tyrese has soared, being inducted into the National Juniors Honor Society and receiving multiple college scholarships from CACNY, The Options Center, and the Henry Viscardi School. In the fall, he will be attending NYU on a full scholarship and intends to study communications and sociology. Tyrese has dreams of becoming an advocacy lawyer, concentrating on elevating the rights of the disabled community.

 

Doing Disney with a Disability

Learn how to prepare, how to fly, and how and where to stay to make your Disney vacation with your child with a disability the best it can be. In addition to being a travel guru, Millie is INCLUDEnyc's Intake Coordinator, she is a Certified Lactation Consultant, Postpartum Doula, former AmeriCorps Volunteer, and has a BA in Anthropology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. 

Art and autism: How one man made his son a superhero

Brooklyn born native Led A. Bradshaw is a talented comic book artist/writer, graphic artist, and Technical Writer who has been captivating children and adults alike with his exceptional artistic abilities from the time he was three years old. Wanting to inspire his son Jacob, an autistic child, to learn, create and be his own hero, Led created the children’s comic book series, "The New Adventures of Jake Jetpulse." A true partnership, this series explores Jacob's imagination and chronicles his superhero and his characters' adventures. You can find the comic book, along with other resources, at jakejetpulse.com.

 

Fighting for a more accessible NYC: Part 2

INCLUDEnyc's Senior Family Educator Ruth DiRoma has been fighting for a more accessible NYC for people with disabilities since her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the 1960s. Ever since, she has fought to bring both fundamental and life-enriching access to transportation, art, and education to the disability community and the community as a whole.

Fighting for a more accessible NYC: Part 1

INCLUDEnyc's Senior Family Educator Ruth DiRoma has been fighting for a more accessible NYC for people with disabilities since her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the 1960s. Ever since, she has fought to bring both fundamental and life-enriching access to transportation, art, and education to the disability community and the community as a whole.

Due Process: Special Education Law and its History in NYC

INCLUDEnyc interviews Neal H. Rosenberg, the founder of the oldest, largest, and most iconic law firm devoted to the practice of special education Law in NYC.

As a former teacher and certified school principal, he began his law career working as an attorney for the NYC Board of Education, followed by two years with the New York State Department of Education, codifying the laws and regulations of PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act. He opened the Law Offices of Neal Howard Rosenberg upon his return to the city, and has been advocating on behalf of students with disabilities for 40 years.

Can students with disabilities be educated well?

Hear Mark Alter, a Professor of Educational Psychology at NYU and founding Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, tackle the hard questions about the state of education for young people with disabilities.

Adaptability: Inclusion and accessibility in recreation activities

Sandra Alfonzo started AdaptAbility: a program in Park Slope, Brooklyn that provides free bicycles for young people with disabilities. 

What Are My Options?: What's available on the special education continuum for children with disabilities

INCLUDEnyc's Jean Mizutani interviews Rebecca Cort about the continuum of special education services in New York State. She is a former Associate Commissioner of the Office of SE within the NYS education office, and also served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

She led the initiative to integrate the State’s Office of Special Education into the Office of P-12 Education, merging all adult services — including Vocational Rehabilitation — into the Office of Adult, Career, and Continuing Education Services, now known as ACCES-VR.