New Visions Blog

Working with the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Barrier Free Living (BFL) welcomed volunteers from Deloitte for Deloitte Impact Day on June 6, 2014. This year marked Deloitte’s 15th annual IMPACT Day, a celebration of a longstanding commitment to communities. Tens of thousands of Deloitte personnel volunteer on more than 800 service projects in 80 communities. The hard-working group at BFL painted walls, hung new blinds and art and… read more

The Medical Assistance Group from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China, visited Barrier Free Living this May and met with agency CEO/Founder Paul Feuerstein. The group toured the main office and discussed BFL's decades of work with people with disabilities, and the growth and lasting power of the agency's mission.… read more

NPR Reports: Though nearly 20 percent Americans have physical or mental disabilities, studies show that less than 20 percent of medical schools teach their students how to talk with disabled patients about their needs. Read the article.… read more

Hearts of Gold, which sponsors BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter,  was featured on the May 6th TODAY Show (NBC) in a special segment in honor of Mother’s Day entitled HOPE TO IT. The Hearts of Gold mission is to “foster sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. ” Learn more.… read more

Today, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) voted to enact a 30 cent surcharge in a plan to make 50 percent of all New York City cabs wheelchair accessible by the year 2020. The surcharge will apply to all taxicab rides beginning in the year 2015 in order to fund the purchase and conversion of accessible cabs. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, lauded the move as an important step… read more

Mentee Recruitment has begun, for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) 2014 as part of the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). DMD is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Mentees sought: People with disabilities who are: Vocational job placement clients Experience ready consumers College students High school upper classman (juniors and seniors) Veterans Mentees will learn and experience: Job networking workshops, seminars and opportunities Job shadowing with an employer (mentor), internship development assistance Career exploration and informational interview opportunities with an employer (mentor) Resume… read more

Police Commissioner William J. Bratton was the keynote speaker at the 5th Annual Denim Day NYC Rally on April 23. The event is a citywide initiative to raise awareness about sexual violence. Events are held in all five boroughs and included a panel discussion on "Empowering Men To Speak Out Against Sexual Violence" at Fordham College. More info.… read more

The Human Services Council Reports:  The State budget includes funding and language for salary adjustments for direct care workers for the first time in six years. The Budget includes $13 million growing to $122 million to support a 2% salary increase on January 1, 2015 and another 2% salary increase on April 1, 2015 to the lowest paid direct care workers. While the amount included for this year is low relative to the amount that would be needed for a full COLA, this allocation represents… read more

Gabriel Gonzalez shares how Barrier Free Living helped him get off of the street and find safe, permanent housing, along with hope for the future.… read more

The Huffington Post reports: On Feb. 6, the first day of New York Fashion Week designer Carrie Hammer featured Danielle Sheypuk, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2012 in her runway show. "People with disabilities are an untapped consumer market in terms of fashion," said Sheypuk, a clinical psychologist in New York. "We read the magazines, shop in stores, but nothing is ever pitched to us." Sheypuk, who has used a wheel chair since age 2, said she has a longstanding… read more

In The Name of Love is an international art exhibition that brings awareness to the issues of gender-based violence. The exhibit is currently on display in Hays and in Lawrence, Kansas and the online version can be viewed here. This powerful exhibition is the product of a partnership between two violence prevention organizations, one from Kansas, USA and one from Namibia, Africa. Despite the geographical differences, Jana’s Campaign and Victims2Survivors agree that ‘In the Name of Love’… read more

Nicole Lesser, Program Director of Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Emergency Shelter will be on hand to introduce the films,  A Life with Aspergers (a short) and Stand Clear of the Closing Door (pictured above) at 5 p.m. on March 6 at The 6th Annual Reel Abilities Film Festival. The films are being shown at Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work. ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is the largest festival… read more

Profiled in the Feb. 2014 Princeton Alumni Weekly, Dr. B.J. Miller is a triple amputee who was injured by an electric current from a trolley car when he was in school at Princeton. Because of his accident and a team of incredible caregivers, he recovered and went into medicine. He is now the Executive Director of the Zen Hospice Project in California. View a video with Miller.… read more

Barrier Free Living is featured in the Feb. 12 Wall Street Journal article, Cuomo proposes flat pay for caretakers of disabled. The article focuses on the fact that the Cuomo administration has proposed keeping pay flat for the sixth straight year for caretakers of the disabled and others at state-funded nonprofits and it's impact on staff. Read the article.… read more

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery. ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE is a global call to women survivors of violence and those who love them to… read more

International Women's Day 2014 Reports that: Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more. The National Online Resource Center on Violence… read more

CAMBA's Atlantic House Men's Shelter is holding a housing fair on February 26th in two sessions, morning 9am – 11:30 am and afternoon 2 pm – 5 pm.at AHMS, Café  2402 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11233 CAMBA notes: Housing providers can choose which session/s they would like to attend.  All clients in attendance will have HRA 2010E packages with a variety of approval levels. The clients are either employed, have SSI/SSD or public assistance. The majority of these clients are long term stayers who… read more

Board Resource Reports: Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic is a public service video produced by the Board Resource Center (www.brcenter.org) to encourage people with disabilities to speak up about abuse. Molly Kennedy and Kecia Weller are well known peer advocates in California who are taking a stand to stop abuse. Please join them by sharing the video with your network. View the video.… read more

DISABLED IN ACTION (DIA) of Metropolitan New York meets Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 1:30-4:00  at Selis Manor, 1st Floor Auditorium, 135 West 23rd Street (bet. 6th and 7th Ave). DIA is a civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities — all disabilities. DIA fights to eliminate the barriers that "prevent us from enjoying full equality in American society." Meeting topics include:  Consumer Directed Services in the NYS Budget &… read more

For the second consecutive year, the Assurant Foundation has awarded Barrier Free Living with a $10,000 New Growth Fund grant in support of the agency's work with severely disabled formerly homeless individuals. The Assurant Foundation, which funded BFL's purchase of a new stove to serve the 48 residents of the Transitional Housing program in 2013, awarded  a second grant to "further enhance the incredible work of Barrier Free Living."… read more

Philadelphia state Rep. Brendan Boyle to introduce legislation to strengthen domestic-abuse laws in a state that tallied 141 domestic-violence deaths in 2012, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Read more here.… read more

Disability Scoop reports: Some of Broadway’s most iconic theaters are agreeing to make sweeping changes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities under a settlement with federal prosecutors. Nine Broadway theaters will eliminate more than 500 accessibility barriers in their restrooms, concession counters, waiting areas and box offices under a deal announced Wednesday to address violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read the article.… read more

DeafHope is seeking entries for its 11th Annual Glimmer of Hope: Lavender Film Festival 2014 – Lights.. Camera.. ACTIVISM! The entry Deadline: February 10, 2014 at 12:00 Noon Pacific. Entry form here.… read more

Christy Parque, Executive Director at Homeless Services United was interviewed live on the nationally syndicated show Aljazeera America about the next steps the new administration can take to begin addressing homelessness. You can view the interview here .… read more

DNAInfo New York  reports: A food truck fit for the Midtown lunch crowd has started feeding the homeless and hungry in the East Village. Soul Food Truck, a new initiative of Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street, serves savory free meals including fried chicken and collard greens to anyone who steps up to its window in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday afternoons. Read the story.… read more

NY1 reports about an award-winning new documentary exploring the challenges people with disabilities face in the work force, and the growing movement to get companies to employ them. The documentary "A Whole Lott More," which won the audience award at the Hot Docs Film Festival, is a rare look inside a factory in Toledo, Ohio called Lott Industries. It's unique because since 1956, it primarily employs people with disabilities. Read more.… read more

A Teen Art Sale to benefit the children of Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Emergency Shelter will be held December 15, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Hastings Yoga, 45 Main St., Hastings on Hudson NY. Freedom House  is nationally recognized as the first fully accessible emergency shelter for disabled victims of domestic violence and their families. All proceeds will go toward purchasing art supplies for the shelter kids. View the flyer. To organize an event to benefit… read more

A Whole Lott More : Lott Industries in Toledo, Ohio, employs more than 1200 workers, all with developmental disabilities. For decades the company excelled in assembling car parts. However, with the decline of the auto industry in neighboring Detroit, Lott is threatened with closure. The company has twelve months to reinvent itself and to save the livelihoods of its employees. “A Whole Lott More”, a documentary feature, follows Lott’s critical year from the perspecitives of four unique and unforgettable… read more

The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence POLICY TEAM reports that on November 13, 2013 marked a significant victory for victims of domestic violence: Chapter 480 of the 2013 Laws of New York clarifies that protected parties cannot "violate" an order in place to protect them. This law is necessary to ensure that the intention of the legislature was upheld and that the value of an order of protection is not undermined. This law amends the domestic… read more

The Waltham reported that the State Senate last month unanimously passed legislation enhancing protections for victims of domestic violence, strengthening penalties for strangulation and establishing new employment rights for victims. “The bill takes steps forward for making sure domestic violence victims and their family members keep their jobs,” said Sen. Mike Barrett, who represents Waltham and serves as Senate chairman of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “People in these awful situations should have time to get medical… read more