Author: Barrier Free Living

Preventing abuse of people with developmental disabilities

October 12, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News 0 Comments
A blog post originally published on September 26, 2012 by Nora J. Baladerian Ph.D. is October's featured article on BFL's Breaking Barriers in Domestic Violence Newsletter.  Read the blog. Sign up for BFL's free Breaking Barriers In DV Enewsletter at [email protected]… read more

NY Times Reports on Community Access’ Restoration of Gouverneur Hospital

October 12, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Current Events, Shelter 0 Comments
The NY Times reports on Community Access’ restoration of the old Gouverneur Hospital, now called Gouverneur Court. Read the article, Still Housing the Needy, In a Changed Manhattan.  Barrier Free Living is working with Community Access on its latest Supportive Housing project. Steve Coe, Community Access Chief Executive Officer says: "As I mention in the article, the people we help were excluded from mainstream housing, which meant that social workers and community organizers had to figure out how to… read more

BFL Honored During National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October 11, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News 0 Comments
BFL was honored twice during October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Helen Keller Organization and Millneck Organization both recognized BFL for its outstanding work employing and working with interns with disabilities. Aeilushi Mistry, of the BFL Organizational Development Team accepted the Helen Keller nod, pictured above, second from left.… read more

Marine Alex Minsky Inspires People With Disabilities On NBC News Story

October 9, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Breaking Barriers Newsletter, Current Events 0 Comments
When Marine Lance Cpl. Alex Minsky (pictured) lost his leg when his truck rolled over an IED (improvised explosive device) in Afghanistan he had no idea how greatly his journey would end up empowering people with disabilities. View the latest NBC News story, click here. LA based photographer Tom Cullis first noticed Alex at his gym. "I saw him on a daily basis doing pushups with one leg or core… read more

Rutgers Study Finds Economic Abuse Affects Maternal Mental Health, Parenting

October 4, 2012 Current Events 0 Comments
Mothers who experience economic and psychological abuse during the first year of a relationship with their child’s father are more likely to become depressed and spank the child in year five, researchers from the Rutgers School of Social Work have found. Read story.… read more

TCM’s The Projected Image: A History of Disability in Film in October

October 2, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Current Events 0 Comments
Turner Classic Movies will dedicate the month of October to exploring the ways people with disabilities have been portrayed in film. On behalf of Inclusion in the Arts, Lawrence Carter-Long will join TCM host Ben Mankiewicz (pictured) for The Projected Image: A History of Disability in Film. The special month-long exploration will air Tuesdays in October, beginning Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. (ET)… read more

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Releases Economic Abuse Report

October 2, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Corporate/Event Sponsors, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
At a press conference on Oct. 2, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer released a report and survey that uncovered the pervasiveness of economic abuse in New York City, shining a light on a form of domestic violence that takes a heavy toll on victims but too often goes unrecognized and unaddressed. The first-of-its kind report “Economic Abuse: The Untold Cost of Domestic Violence” was co-authored with Sakhi for South Asian Women, a domestic violence advocacy group… read more

October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2012

October 1, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Current Events 0 Comments
Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"… read more

Shine The Light on Domestic Violence in Times Square Oct. 2

October 1, 2012 Advocacy, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) will be joined Oct. 2 by a coalition of advocates, elected officials, non-profit leaders, and survivors to illuminate the signs of Times Square purple as a part of OPDV’s statewide Shine the Light on Domestic Violence Campaign. Click here for flyer Nine major Times Square billboards, including ABC Supersign, American Eagle, Bank of… read more

Peace Kitty donates to BFL Lavender & Blue MegaMixer

September 28, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Corporate/Event Sponsors, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
Peace Kitty, the brainchild of owner Kate Martin, has donated a custom T-shirt to the BFL Lavender & Blue Oct. 23 MegaMixer. Since opening shop, Kate has donated 10% of the profits to local animal shelters in Missouri where she operates, and was inspired by BFLs mission. "I am all about kindness and compassion, especially when it comes to animals. I am a kitty mom and have been a kitty… read more

Redeeming the Past Memoir Launch

September 27, 2012 BFL News, Current Events 0 Comments
Institute for Healing of Memories Founder Father Michael Lapsely had a launch event for his stirring new memoir, Redeeming the Past, at the United Nations Church Center in Manhattan on September 27. The Keynote Speaker was Helen Clark: Administrator of the United Nations Development Program. Lapsley, born in New Zealand, joined the Society of the Sacred Mission, and was sent to South Africa in 1973. There he became active in the anti-apartheid movement, ultimately joining the African National Congress… read more

Pop Designer Scooter Laforge Donates to Lavender & Blue Event

September 19, 2012 BFL News, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
Artist/Designer Scooter Laforge has donated a fab raffle prize to BFLs Lavender & Blue Oct. 23 event.  Scooter has created pieces for Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop and Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen (for a movie with Demi Moore and Ellen Barkin called Very Good Girls coming out 2013), Carrie Mulligan (for the movie Shame).  In a recent MetroSource article, he says: "I… read more

Gleasons Gym Calls for Artists!

September 18, 2012 Current Events 0 Comments
The famed Gleason's Gym, which supports many causes through the year, has put out a call for 'All Artists needed for Art Festival ' Artists Wanted! Twenty Six have signed up so far.The Annual DUMBO Art Under The Bridge Festival will be held September 28 through 30, 2012.Over 150,000 visitors will come to DUMBO for this festival. You can be part of it or you can just come and enjoy it. Gleason's… read more

New Sponsors Sign On for BFLs Lavender & Blue Mega Mixer

September 18, 2012 BFL News, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
Several new sponsors have signed on for BFL's Lavender &  Blue Mega Mixer on Oct. 23 at XES Lounge including  Scooter LaForge, Desktop Studio and Peace Kitty. A giant thank you shout out from the BFL team… read more

Aware Event Benefits Freedom House

September 14, 2012 Advocacy, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities Tags: 0 Comments
The Women of AWARE  (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) invite you to an evening of Dessert, Drinks & Dancing featuring a fabulous silent auction To benefit Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House The country’s only fully accessible emergency shelter for  disabled victims of domestic violence and their families Thursday, October 18th, 2012 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Bar 13 121 University Place (between 13th and 14th Streets) 3rd Floor… read more

BFL’s Lavender & Blue Mega Mixer Event!

September 14, 2012 BFL News, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
Honoring survivors, advocates and the NYPD. Star DJ. Awesome Raffle Prizes.Free Drink Tix. Tuesday Oct. 23 6-8pm. XES Lounge NYC 157 W. 24th St. (6&& Ave.) Reserve VIP Tix, Drink Tix, a chance at a fab raffle prize: [email protected]… read more

Domestic Violence Brides’ March Sept. 26

September 12, 2012 Current Events 0 Comments
The New York Latinas Against Domestic Violence, the family of Gladys Ricart, and the 2012 Brides’ March Organizing Committee will hold  the 12th Annual Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the Fort Washington Heights Presbyterian Church, located at 21 Wadsworth Avenue, corner of West 174th Street in Washington Heights, New York.  Gathering begins at 8:00am. The Invocation Ceremony will take place at 9am. The approximate 7mile walk begins at 10:30am sharp. This annual event… read more

Popular Community Bank Sends BFL Residents To Cyclones Game

September 4, 2012 BFL News, Current Events Tags: , 0 Comments
Popular Community Bank recently provided Brooklyn Cyclones baseball tickets and ball caps to residents of BFL's Transitional Housing and Secret Garden programs.  Attendees enjoyed an evening of baseball and community building.  In  Cyclone news, with the season winding down, the Cyclones are on the verge of their fourth consecutive playoff berth… read more

BFL Speakers Bureau Launches Newsletter

August 30, 2012 Advocacy, BFL News, Current Events, Domestic Violence and Disabilities 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living Survivors Speakers Bureau, which started in May 2012, has released its first newsletter.  The Bureau looks  "forward to meeting your speaker needs for women with Disabilities. Our founding organizers Theresa McIntosh and Patrice C. Queen encourage your inquiries and opportunities to educate your organization, school, university or event on the issues of domestic violence and its intersection with disabilities." Info: [email protected]… read more

Quadruple amputee swims between America and Asia

August 20, 2012 Current Events 0 Comments
Philippe Croizon of France a quadruple amputee managed to swim from North America to Asia Friday in a 1 hour and 20 minutes largely thanks to specially designed flippers. Croizon had his arms and legs amputated in 1994 after he was struck by high voltage while on a rooftop. Read more… read more

HHAP Approves $7 Million Request

August 16, 2012 BFL News, Current Events, Shelter 0 Comments
A $7million request for Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP) support has been approved by the HHAP Board. "Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make that proposal a success," said BFL President/CEO Paul Feuerstein. The funding is related to BFLs newest vision, the agency's Supportive Housing Project.  HHAP provides capital grants and loans to not-for-profit corporations, charitable and religious organizations, municipalities and public corporations to acquire, construct or rehabilitate housing for persons who are homeless and… read more

Oscar Pistorius Trail Blazing Olympian

August 14, 2012 Advocacy, Current Events 0 Comments
South Africa's double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius, who competed in the men's 400m semi-finals at the athletics event during the London 2012 Olympic Games,  was selected to carry South Africa's flag at the closing ceremony. The inspiring athlete also prompted the Boston Marathon to announce that it would be "well-pleased" to allow runners with prosthetic legs to compete in the open division.… read more

Employment – New Census report on Americans with Disabilities

August 8, 2012 Advocacy, Current Events 0 Comments
The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new report, "Americans With Disabilities: 2010." The report finds that approximately 57 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 5, have a disability, with more than half (87 million) reporting the disability as "severe." About 4 in 10 working-age persons with a disability were employed, compared to 8 in 10 working-age persons without a disability. Adults with severe disabilities were about twice as likely as adults with non-severe disabilities to experience… read more

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