Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities311Search all NYC.gov websites
General Advocacy Groups
General Advocacy Groups
Disabled in Action (DIA)
A civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities — all disabilities. They fight to eliminate the barriers that prevent us from enjoying full equality in American society. DIA consists primarily of and is directed by people with disabilities. We believe in the motto, "Nothing about us without us!"
Phone & Fax: 718-261-3737
Guide to Independent Living
"What does it mean to live in my own place?" an illustrated guide to independent living for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Created by the Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) and AHRC.
More Information on Independent Living Guide
Center for the Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY)
The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York's (CIDNY) goal is to ensure full integration, independence and equal opportunity for all people with disabilities by removing barriers to the social, economic, cultural, and civic life of the community.
E-mail: info@cidny.org
Manhattan CIDNY Phone: 212-674-2300
Queens CIDNY Phone: 646-442-1520
Harlem Independent Living Center
Harlem Independent Living Center is a non-profit, community-based organization governed and staffed primarily by people with disabilities. Our goal is to assist communities of people with disabilities in achieving optimal independence through culturally and linguistically appropriate services by advocating, educating, empowering, and being a community change catalyst.
Harlem Independent Living Center
289 St. Nicholas Avenue, Suite 21/LL
New York, NY 10027
Email: info@hilc.org
Office: 212-222-7122
Fax: 212-222-7122
Harlem Independent Living Center Website
Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled (BCID)
Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. (BCID) is a non-profit, grass roots organization operated by a majority of people with disabilities for people with disabilities since 1956. Our mission for over 50 years has been to empower persons with disabilities by improving the quality of their lives and fostering their integration into the mainstream of society. We also develop educational programs including training for advocacy for their individual civil rights.
Phone: 718-998-3000
Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS)
Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) is a non-profit, community based organization dedicated to empower all people with disabilities to understand and exercise their civil and human rights in order to live fully integrated lives in mainstream society. BILS assists individuals by providing them the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their own lives through access to education, skills development, and access to the appropriate resources. On a systemic level, BILS is committed to facilitating social, economic, and civic change by advocating for the removal of architectural, communication, and attitudinal barriers that have limited the disabled community for far too long.
Phone: 718-515-2800
Staten Island Center for Independent Living
The Staten Island Center for Independent Living is the only comprehensive multi-service provider in the borough that is primarily staffed and governed by individuals who have personal experience with disability.
Staten Island Center for Independent Living Website
Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS)
The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board supports self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages them to speak up for themselves individually and collectively.
Phone: 646-896-1938
Sinergia
Sinergia is a multi-service, not-for-profit organization founded in 1977. The agency's focus is to serve individuals and families who have developmental and intellectual disabilities throughout New York City as well as underserved populations in the community of Harlem.
2082 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10035
Phone: 212-643-2840
Sinergia Contact Form
Sinergia Website
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) – New York City Chapter
The National Federation of the Blind of New York knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. The NFB is the only organization that believes in the full capacity of blind people and has the power, influence, diversity, and determination to help transform our dreams into reality.
Phone: 347-395-2203
American Council of the Blind (ACB) New York Chapter
ACBNY is the state affiliate of The American Council Of The Blind. Its purpose is to support and promote the educational, vocational and social advancement of people who are blind and low vision.
Phone: 800-522-3303
New York City Black Deaf Advocates
New York City Black Deaf Advocates, NYCBDA, Chapter 4, was founded in 1983, our mission is to better inform ourselves and the Deaf Community about the rights and responsibilities of black deaf individuals. We also identify, examine and disseminate information related to the impact of social, economic, educational, political, religions and health issues through the medium of forums, panels, lectures and workshops as well as increased leadership development and job opportunities for Black Deaf persons and to further their potentials.
E-mail: nycbda@gmail.com
NYC Black Deaf Advocate Website
National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC Metro
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC Metro) is a grassroots organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for families and individuals of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who live with mental illness.
Phone: 212-684-3264
E-mail: helpline@naminyc.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC Metro Website