Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled

07/31/2026

"Earlier this year, the Rabsky Group was at the center of a lawsuit alleging that it violated accessibility requirements at a number of its buildings. A lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of the Fair Housing Justice Center, alleging that three multifamily properties in Brooklyn and Queens — all affiliated with the Rabsky Group — were constructed in violation of accessibility requirements."

The lot is in contract to be sold to a new owner with an asking price of $14.3 million.

07/31/2026

“This settlement hones in on the issues that can provide immediate relief to people with disabilities trying to navigate the complex system that is the MTA while we continue to work towards 95% of stations being accessible under the first agreement,” said Victoria Pilger, Staff Attorney with Disability Rights Advocates.

https://dralegal.org/press/ny-subway-elevators-settlement/

07/30/2026

"The employee, who has chronic respiratory illness, had worked for the city's tax agency for years. During the pandemic he worked from home. In March 2022, the city set a hybrid schedule: three days remote, two days at a Manhattan office. He asked instead to spend his in-office days at a Staten Island location closer to home, saying the commute and the Manhattan office worsened his breathing. The agency refused."

A supportive manager and past remote work were enough to keep the case alive

07/30/2026

BCID is happy to share the following resource:

Project FoodBox partners with New York Social Care Networks (SCNs) to make healthy nutrition more accessible for Medicaid members. Providers can refer patients, or members can self-screen, for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) services.

https://projectfoodbox.org/lp-medically-tailored-meal-programs-improve-health-outcomes-new-york

07/30/2026

"An initial lawsuit brought by disability rights groups including the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled; the Regional Center for Independent Living; the United Spinal Association; Not Dead Yet; the Institute for Patients’ Rights; the National Council on Independent Living; and the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley claims that people with life-threatening disabilities belong to a protected class under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are at risk of harm if the law goes into effect."

There are currently no injunctions stopping it from going into effect.

07/30/2026

Click the link attached for an updated fact sheet about Medicaid Work requirements. This change will impact thousands of New Yorkers. If you have specific questions about how this will impact you personally, and need guidance, please contact BCID at 718-998-3000.

Medicaid Matters New York has published a fact sheet on the implementation of new work reporting requirements and how they will impact Medicaid enrollment in New York State.

07/29/2026

"Nearly a decade after New Yorkers with disabilities sued the MTA in federal court over allegedly insufficient upkeep of subway elevators, the two sides have reached a legal peace — as the in-service rate for lifts has climbed to nearly 98%."

Photo description: Janno Lieber, MTA chair, joins disability advocates and their attorneys as he signs elevator maintenance case agreement. Sharon McLennon Wier, CIDNY executive director, is next to him in foreground. Evan Yankey, BCID’s Advocacy Director, is seen standing in the back, on the left hand side of the photo.

https://tinyurl.com/5f92rkzp

07/29/2026

"The U.S. Department of Justice issued a notice Monday clarifying that its long-standing guidance on enforcement of the ADA’s integration mandate and Olmstead v. L.C. is “not enforceable.”

The Trump administration is tossing aside key guidance that federal officials have used to steer enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act for more than a decade.

07/29/2026

Sharing on behalf of our colleagues at NY Caring Majority -

Meet with the class action Legal Team from Legal Aid and Katz Banks Kumin LLP to learn more about the $162 million settlement for downstate CDPAP workers and get all your questions answered.

Start: Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 4:00 PM MST
End: Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST
Event Type: Virtual
A virtual link will be communicated before the event.

https://tinyurl.com/32c78kt6

07/28/2026

Do you know about BCID's warmline? We're here to listen and help you.

Alt text - Informational graphic for the BCID Disability Warmline. Shows a phone with the number 929-548-0818 and the BCID logo. Peer support every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.