NYC Programs & Organizations

Accessible Transportation

  • Access-A-Ride: provided by the MTA, offers paratransit services for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use public buses or subways in New York City. The service provides shared-ride, door-to-door transportation, ensuring accessibility and independence for eligible riders. Users can schedule trips in advance and access real-time ride tracking for convenience.
  • Accessible Dispatch: A program by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission that offers wheelchair-accessible taxi services across all five boroughs. Passengers can request a ride via the Accessible Dispatch NYC app, online, or by calling 646-599-9999, paying only the metered fare without additional fees. The service operates 24/7, ensuring accessible transportation for residents and visitors with disabilities.
  • For more Accessible transportation resources, visit our Transportation Useful Resources Page

Assistive Technology

  • Assistive Technology Loan Program: Assistive Technology: Hearing and vision aids, communication devices, environmental adaptations, wheelchairs and home or vehicle modifications can be expensive to purchase. National Disability Institute can help you find and afford assistive technology. Their Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Program provides affordable loans of up to $45,000 for the purchase or refinance of assistive technology to residents of New Jersey and New York.
  • Center for Assistive Technology: CAT’s multi-disciplinary client service team provides AT assessment and training services to People with Disabilities in the eight counties of Western New York. They also receive referrals from other regions when the client’s needs are exceedingly complex. CAT operates the Western New York Region’s Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) program.
  • Motion Project Foundation: Offers Quality of Life Grants to individuals with spinal cord injuries in Western New York, assisting with medical equipment, home and vehicle modifications, and rehabilitation services.
  • Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program: The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program provides access to assistive technology to any New Yorker with a disability through Regional TRAID Centers. Regional TRAID Centers provide device loans and hands-on training to people with disabilities.
  • The Western New York Regional TRAID Center: This project provides information and referral services and assistive technology information to consumers and service providers in the Western New York region.
  • For more assistive Technology resources, visit our  Adaptive Devices And Supplies Useful Resources Page

Community Engagement

  • Accessibility in NYC Parks: NYC Parks aims to make sure that all New Yorkers get the most out of the great outdoors. While many of our events are accessible, these parks events are geared specifically towards people with physical disabilities.
  • AccessibleNYC: The five boroughs feature a wealth of exciting and accessible destinations. Find restaurants, attractions and sports arenas with accommodations that meet your needs.
  • Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP): This Medicaid program provides services to chronically ill or physically disabled individuals who have a medical need for help with activities of daily living (ADLs) or skilled nursing services. Services can include any of the services provided by a personal care aide (home attendant), home health aide, or nurse.
  • The Disability Ally NYC: A Manhattan-based resource hub offering comprehensive information on programs, events, and venues tailored for individuals with disabilities, aiming to streamline access to accessible activities and services. The platform emphasizes inclusion across various domains, including arts, sports, and social events, ensuring that both residents and visitors can easily find and participate in accessible experiences throughout the city.
  • Wine on Wheels: Wine on Wheels is a nonprofit organization that brings together wine enthusiasts and industry professionals to support the disability community. Through wine-tasting events and fundraisers, the organization raises awareness and funds for programs that empower individuals with mobility impairments. Their mission is to foster inclusion, provide resources, and promote independence for people living with disabilities.
  • Wheeling Forward: Wheeling Forward is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with disabilities by providing guidance and resources to disabled individuals for the purpose of achieving goals today rather than tomorrow, with a focus on educational attainment, employment procurement, health and wellness, community integration, housing acquisition, and personal fulfillment.
  • Women on Wheels (W.O.W.): is a supportive community for women with spinal cord injuries and paralysis, aiming to empower and educate its members. Based in New York City, W.O.W. offers weekly virtual meetings where participants discuss topics such as dating, self-image, relationships, and independence. The group provides a platform for women to share personal experiences and concerns, fostering a unique sisterhood dedicated to living life to the fullest.
  • For more community engagement resources visit our Support Groups and Travel & Leisure Resources Pages.

Disability Services and Support

  • Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS): Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to empower all people with disabilities to understand and exercise their civil and human rights in order to live fully integrated lives in mainstream society. BILS assists individuals by providing them the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their own lives through access to education, skills development, and access to the appropriate resources.
  • Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID): Their mission has been to empower persons with disabilities by improving the quality of their lives and fostering their integration into the mainstream. Their programs include Comprehensive Information & Referral Resources, Counseling, Advocacy, Support Groups, Outreach among others.
  • Center for Independence of the Disabled NY: CILs support community living and independence for people with disabilities of all types. Although specific services and programs vary from center to center based on the needs of the people they serve, all offer programs that can assist people living with limb loss, paralysis and TBI. These services may include: access to psychological counseling, assistance in securing housing or shelter, personal assistance services, transportation referral and assistance, physical therapy, mobility training, rehabilitation technology, recreation, and other services necessary to improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to function independently in the family or community and/or to continue in employment.
  • Harlem Independent Living Center: The Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) is a community-based agency providing services free of charge to individuals with disabilities who live or work in Harlem. The center provides peer counseling, assistance with applications for food stamps, Public Assistance, SSI and SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare, housing assistance, assistive device training, van transportation for the disabled, architectural barrier removal assistance, and referral to other programs.
  • The DSF Program: Disability Service Facilitators (DSF) are appointed to city agencies as liaisons to New Yorkers with disabilities, connecting people with disabilities to city government. Visit their website for list of DSF’s.
  • NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities: Operating since 1973, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) is the liaison between New York City government and the disability community. In partnership with all City offices and agencies, MOPD consistently ensures that the rights and concerns of the disability community are included in all City initiatives and that City programs and policies address the needs of people with disabilities.
  • NYC Spinal:  NYC Spinal is an affiliate chapter of United Spinal Association, the largest organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with SCI/D in the United States. The chapter serves the community by sharing knowledge, promoting SCI awareness and injury prevention, advocating for disability rights and providing financial assistance and emotional support to survivors of spinal cord injury and their families.
  • For more disability services and support resources visit our About Spinal Cord Injury and National Programs & Organizations Resources pages.

Financial Assistance

  • EmpoweredNYC: EmpoweredNYC focuses on enabling New Yorkers with disabilities across the five boroughs to improve their financial stability. Using a three-tier approach, the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and EmpoweredNYC partners advances financial capability through broad engagement and education, tailored one-on-one financial counseling enhanced with new expertise, outreach and tools, and specialized benefits support services.
  • NYABLE: New York State’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, which allows individuals with disabilities to save money without affecting their eligibility for government benefits. The program provides tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used for qualified disability-related expenses, such as housing, healthcare, and education.
  • For more financial assistance resources, visit our National Programs & Organizations Resource Page

Health and Wellness

  • Axis Project: The Axis Project is a multidisciplinary center committed to providing high quality services for those with physical disabilities. This unique center empowers people with physical disabilities to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. The center is completely wheelchair accessible and includes all accessible workout equipment. The Axis Project offers programs, activities, and classes specifically designed for people with physical disabilities. They have are located in NYC. Visit their Facebook page for latest information.
  • Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working People with Disabilities: The Medicaid Buy-In program offers Medicaid coverage to people with disabilities who are working, and earning more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid, the opportunity to retain their health care coverage through Medicaid.
  • NY Connects: CIDNY’s NY Connects program is a free, trusted resource for information about services and resources that support people with disabilities. They work with New Yorkers of all ages and with any type of disability, whether living at home, in a nursing home, or in another residential setting. Their counselors assist individuals with disabilities in making informed decisions about short-term and long-term services and support options, including help with benefits enrollment.
  • Independence Care System: Independence Care System is dedicated to supporting senior adults and adults with physical disabilities and chronic conditions to live at home and participate fully in community life.
  • Spinal Mobility NYC is dedicated to educating clinicians, students, and individuals with neurologically based disabilities on innovative interventions and exercises to enhance health during and after rehabilitation. They offer workshops for hands-on learning of the Spinal Mobility technique, an 8-week “X-Class” boot camp for people with spinal cord injuries, and lecture demonstrations to share their approach. Their mission is to empower those with disabilities through education and practical skills.
  • For more health and wellness resources visit our Active Living, & Recreation Resource Page

Housing and Accessibility

  • Access to Home Program: The NYS Access to Home Program provides financial assistance to make residential units accessible for low- and moderate-income persons with disabilities. Assistance with the cost of adapting homes will enable individuals to safely and comfortably continue or return to live in their residences instead of residing in an institutional setting.
  • Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility Fund: Established in 2016 by the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHJC) for the purpose of providing targeted financial assistance to benefit low and moderate income persons with disabilities who need reasonable modifications made to the housing they occupy to make it accessible.
  • Rebuilding Together NYC: Provides critical home repairs, accessibility modifications, workforce training, and community revitalization services to low-income New Yorkers.
  • Wheels of Progress: Empowers individuals with spinal cord injuries by providing accessible housing, advocacy, and resources to promote independent living.

Sports and Recreation

  • Achilles International NYC: empowers athletes with disabilities by providing training, support, and community to help them participate in mainstream running events. The organization pairs athletes with guides to ensure accessibility and inclusion in races, fostering confidence and independence. Through weekly workouts and special events, Achilles NYC promotes physical fitness, social connection, and achievement for people of all abilities.
  • Adaptive Climbing Group: Adaptive Climbing Group is a community for people with disabilities to have opportunities to inclusively participate in the sport of climbing. They host several sessions each week and also host monthly ACG Kids sessions at MetroRock Bushwick.
  • Montefiore Adaptive Sports: Offers adaptive sports programs designed to enhance the physical health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. The programs include a range of activities such as wheelchair basketball, tennis, and swimming, providing participants with opportunities to improve mobility, build confidence, and engage with others in an inclusive environment. The center is committed to supporting athletes with disabilities and promoting active lifestyles.
  • Row New York: Row New York is a non-profit organization based in New York City focused on empowering youth, adult, and adaptive athletes through the sport of rowing. The programs are free and low-cost, depending on household income and needs. The organization and its staff have won several awards and recognition for positive impact on local youth and the sport of rowing.
  • For more sports and recreation resources visit our Sports, Active Living, & Recreation Resource Page.

Vocational and Career Development

  • ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation): is a New York State program that assists individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining employment, as well as supporting independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development. They offer services such as vocational counseling, tuition assistance for college training, and guidance in developing Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs).
  • ICD-Institute for Career Development: A nonprofit organization in New York City dedicated to empowering people with disabilities and other barriers to employment through career training, job placement, and support services. Their programs focus on vocational education, workplace readiness, and personalized coaching to help individuals achieve financial independence and long-term success.
  • For more vocational and career development resources, visit our Work And Education Resource Page.

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