Center For the Independence of the Disabled

I’ve been a client of CIDNY for many years; they’ve helped me navigate the maze of services available to the disabled – if they only knew their rights. CIDNY (Center for the Independence of the Disabled of New York) serves the disabled in the lower part of the borough of Manhattan; the Harlem ILC (independent living center) takes care of upper Manhattan.
It’s one of many ILCs around the country and one of a few in the five boroughs. People with all disabilities, including invisible disabilities, are welcome to take advantage of the services offered here, including counseling, advocacy, and assistance with employment or daily living skills.
The main drawback is that the counselors are often overwhelmed by their caseloads. This is not surprising, since they’re about the only game in town; it’s extremely hard to navigate the system alone, and CIDNY provides a supportive environment for anyone who has questions.