Disability INC.

INCLUDEnyc's Senior Family Educator Ruth DiRoma has been fighting for a more accessible NYC for people with disabilities since her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson's in the 1960s. Ever since, she has fought to bring both fundamental and life-enriching access to transportation, art, and education to the disability community and the community as a whole.

INCLUDEnyc interviews Neal H. Rosenberg, the founder of the oldest, largest, and most iconic law firm devoted to the practice of special education Law in NYC.

As a former teacher and certified school principal, he began his law career working as an attorney for the NYC Board of Education, followed by two years with the New York State Department of Education, codifying the laws and regulations of PL 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children's Act. He opened the Law Offices of Neal Howard Rosenberg upon his return to the city, and has been advocating on behalf of students with disabilities for 40 years.

Hear Mark Alter, a Professor of Educational Psychology at NYU and founding Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, tackle the hard questions about the state of education for young people with disabilities.

Sandra Alfonzo started AdaptAbility: a program in Park Slope, Brooklyn that provides free bicycles for young people with disabilities. 

INCLUDEnyc's Jean Mizutani interviews Rebecca Cort about the continuum of special education services in New York State. She is a former Associate Commissioner of the Office of SE within the NYS education office, and also served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

She led the initiative to integrate the State’s Office of Special Education into the Office of P-12 Education, merging all adult services — including Vocational Rehabilitation — into the Office of Adult, Career, and Continuing Education Services, now known as ACCES-VR.

INCLUDEnyc's Jean Mizutani interviews Rebecca Cort about the continuum of special education services in New York State. She is a former Associate Commissioner of the Office of SE within the NYS education office, and also served as Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

She led the initiative to integrate the State’s Office of Special Education into the Office of P-12 Education, merging all adult services — including Vocational Rehabilitation — into the Office of Adult, Career, and Continuing Education Services, now known as ACCES-VR.

INCLUDEnyc's Lori Podvesker interviews Celia Green, PLAN (Parent Leader Advocacy Network) advocate and parent of six — four of whom have autism — and advocate, president of the Citywide Council on High Schools, and the Brooklyn Borough Representative.

INCLUDEnyc's Lori Podvesker interviews Celia Green, PLAN (Parent Leader Advocacy Network) advocate and parent of six — four of whom have autism — and advocate, president of the Citywide Council on High Schools, and the Brooklyn Borough Representative.