General Autism Resources
Community Centers
JCC (Jewish Community Center) Manhattan
334 amsterdam Avenue at 76th St, New Nork, NY 10023, 646-505-4444, http://www.jccmanhattan.org/special-needs/adult-programs/adaptations/
ADAPTATIONS
Adaptations is a community of adults in their 20s and 30s with developmental and/or learning disabilities and a high level of independence. We are a place for individuals of all backgrounds to socialize, learn, grow, and deepen their connections to one another and the community. Through our programs and partnerships, Adaptations provides multiple pathways to fostering independence, expressing creativity, and experiencing the richness of community.
Connections
Connections is a social and recreational community of individuals in their 20s with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities. Through social, cultural, and educational opportunities at JCC Manhattan and offsite, Connections fosters independence while encouraging participants to make and deepen friendships with one another. Individuals in Connections have the ability to be travel trained between the JCC and home and utilize the program as a complement to their vocational and volunteer experiences.
40+
An exciting experience for adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s with learning or developmental disabilities, the 40+ meet-up group provides a variety of social experiences including dining out, dating tips, cooking, trips, and more. Together we create an environment which offers support, resources, and the richness of community.
Autism Advocacy
DARNY
DARNY (Disability Rights New York) is a non profit organization that advocates for people with disabilities who are having difficulty qualifying for funding or services.
800-993-8982
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Website: http://autisticadvocacy.org
General inquiries: info@autisticadvocacy.org
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the Autistic community, and does so by advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of Autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power while working to educate communities and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include Autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators and friends.
Activities include public policy advocacy, the development of Autistic cultural activities, and leadership trainings for Autistic self-advocates. We provide information about autism, disability rights, and systems change to the public through a number of different educational, cultural, and advocacy related projects
Woman's Issues
International Aspergirl Society
Website: http://www.aspergirlsociety.com/
Mission
To bring women on the autism spectrum together for mutual empowerment, understanding, education, networking and support.
Methods
1. Events by and for spectrum women around the world (open to general public)
2. Membership (exclusive to spectrum women, with benefits including Skype consultations, magazines, monthly video messages from Rudy Simone, networking and more.)
Rudy Simone envisioned a society with like-minded, compassionate women at her side to aide her on a mission to help support, give greater understanding and most of all, empower women and girls on the Autism Spectrum.
Social Services Agencies
YAI NIPD Network
460 West 34th St. NY, NY 10001-2382, 212-273-6182 http://www.yailink.org/
AHRC
83 Maiden Lane. New York, NY 10038, 212-780-2500, https://www.ahrcnyc.org/
QSAC
QSAC, 253 W 35th St, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001, 212-244-5560, http://www.qsac.com/
New York State
OPWDD
OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) is the New York State agency that controls and overseas funding and services for people of all ages with developmental disabilities in the state. If eligible, they can make the appropriate referrals.
In order to qualify, you will first need to attend a Front Door orientation session (by appointment only). You will need to call the appropriate number bellow first to make an appointment. It is best that you bring to the front door session, any evaluations and other testing relating to your disability to the session with you.
OPWDD Front Door
Main #: 866-946-9733
Manhattan: 646-766-3220
Bronx: 718-430-0757
Brooklyn: 718-642-8576
Queens: 718-217-6485
Staten Island: 718-982-1913
Self Direction
Stephenie Rozzell
646-766-3362
Care Design NY
Care Design NY provides care coordination of benefits for people who receive Medicaid and are OPWDD eligible.
Amel Whiteside
212-273-6504
Employment
Specialisterne-Metro New York
Contact John Ronga, 917-692-2279, http://usa.specialisterne.com/ , john.ronga@specialisterne.com
Specialisterne (which translates from Danish as “The Specialists”) is an innovative social business concept originally founded in Denmark in 2004. Specialisterne is internationally recognized as the first and foremost example of how high functioning people with autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can become effectively included in society, and provide valuable, high quality services to their employers.
Specialisterne works to enable jobs for high functioning people with autism, and similar challenges, through social entrepreneurship, innovative employment models, and a national change in minds
CEO Inc
Website: http://ceoincworks.com/
Mission Statement
The mission of CEO is to provide the quality services and linkages for transition, careers, and employment for individuals with special needs using innovative and collaborative systems. CEO implements our services by including the individual, their families, district personnel, and the business community as a whole. CEO sees the entire process of transition in schools, careers and employment as requiring the collaboration and cooperation of all the members of that community to create solutions for success. CEO creates solutions.
JobPath
22 West 38th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, 212-944-0564, http://www.jobpathnyc.org/
Access VR
NY State Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr
Bronx, 1215 Zerega Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462, 718-931-3500
Brooklyn, 55 Hanson Place, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217, 718-722-6700
Garden City, 711 Stewart Avenue, Suite 4, Garden City, NY 11530, 516-227-6800, Toll Free: 1-888-263-2564
Hauppauge, 250 Veterans Highway, NYS Office Building - Room 3A-12, Hauppauge, NY 11788, 631-952-6357
Manhattan, 116 West 32nd Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001, 212-630-2300, 212-630-2302
Mid Hudson District, 301 Manchester Rd, Suite 200, Manchester Mill Centre, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, 845-452-5325
Queens, 11-15 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 111, 347-510-310
White Plaines, 75 South Broadway, Suite 200, White Plains, NY 10601, 914-946-1313
Birch Family Services New Frontier Program
Website: http://www.birchfamilyservices.org/newfrontier/index.html
Upon graduation, most young men and women look forward to the first rites of adulthood-a job, living on their own, and achieving true independence. But, for individuals with autism, these important milestones can often seem unattainable. Young adults on the spectrum confront an unknown landscape beyond school-age, where their existing support structure is no longer available, the obstacles to independence are particularly challenging, and limited programs exist to help them navigate their new work, social, and community environments. To address this growing crisis Birch Family Services launched our New Frontier Program.
AHRC NEW YORK CITY
Housing
How I got to live like a king with a very low income…
By: Steve Katz
Many of you may have heard me talk about the affordable housing program that was able to take advantage of here in NYC, which is available throughout the state as well, referred to as 80/20.
The way it works is that developers of luxury buildings, receive low cost financing from New York State and in return, they have to make 20% of their apartments available at affordable rents to low and middle income individuals and families.
There is a formula that they use to determine whether someone fits the criteria, financially or otherwise. Each building is slightly different where the rents may vary and in different neighborhoods etc. There are usually several tiers of income. For example, the first tier for one person living alone in a studio may be $22,000 to $28,000 per year, and the second tier may be $30,000 to 40,000 per year, with higher amounts for one bedroom and so on. And, different tear amounts for two and three people living in a one or two bedroom apartment. Do not despair if your income doesn’t match exactly. Apply, apply, apply anyway! There is some wiggle room.
It is a lengthy process that takes at least a few years. However, if you are persistent you will get there. You have to apply to the lotteries on the web site (linked bellow), as well as apply to get on waiting lists to various real estate management companies.
You will also need to fill out applications for each building that you either, join in a lottery, or sign up to be on their waiting list. You will need a lot of info about your current and previous address and landlords, bank accounts and balances, income (earned and unearned) Social Security, Health insurance and more. Answer all questions honestly! They will check and will know if your income is different and if you have more money in the bank than you say.
Once you either win a lottery, which is unlikely. But, if you don’t win, you then automatically go on the waiting list, or sign up for a waiting list directly (sometimes, you have to do a lottery first to then get on a waiting list), Once your name reaches the top. You will then need to make copies for all the info I just mentioned, plus you need to show them originals of things like your birth certificate, driver’s license and more again. Just be ready to dig though to find this stuff.
CONTACT INFO:
NY State HPD (Housing Preservation and Development): http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/apartment/lotteries.shtml
Here are a couple of real estate management companies that participate in 80/20. I recommend writing them to request being put on their waiting lists.
Equity Residential
Affordable Housing Unit, 275 Seventh Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10001
http://www.equityapartments.com/new-york/new-york-city-apartments.aspx
Related Management
Affordable housing Group, 330 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001
http://www.related.com/apartment-rentals/apartment-search
I would also recommend that you google search, building or real estate management companies in the city where you live.
MOVING:
Now, for the moving process, this is a whole other story. I was only given ten (that’s 10) days to sign the lease and move! I started of being very organized, but ran out of time and started to just toss things in boxes, shopping bags and anything else that could hold my stuff. I strongly suggest that while your applying, that you start organizing, getting rid of clutter and shredding etc. This way you may have a chance of avoiding some chaos (this will be very chaotic no matter what you do). The move will be chaotic, over stimulating, take you out of your routine! But, it is well worth it.
THE LIFE OF LUXURY:
I now pay half the rent of my previous apartment and have a lot more space, new appliances (including a dishwasher and ice-maker), in a luxury building with a concierge and valet. Oh, and a view of the Empire State Building!