Independence Care System (ICS)

06/05/2026

With deep sadness, Independence Care System announces the passing of William S. Franz, a cherished member of our community who dedicated his work to supporting adults with physical disabilities as social program facilitator for many years.

A memorial service celebrating Will’s life will be held on Saturday June 13th from Noon-4 PM with both in‑person and virtual livestream attendance options. The livestream link will appear shortly before the start time on the obituary page; live attendance will be at Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, 352 E 87th St, New York, NY 10128.

https://bit.ly/wsfmemorial

06/04/2026

Disability Competence is Infrastructure, Not a Luxury

“Disability competence is not a marketing term. It is the difference between understanding that a wheelchair repair delayed by weeks can become a medical crisis” In a powerful article for Able News, Marcus Johnson reflects calls out the New York State budget for neglecting people with disabilities. We're talking about a budget of $268 billion, and yet the only Health Home intended for people with physical disabilities is about to shut down this July. If that happens, crucial programs like On A Roll and Thrive could disappear, too.

These services aren’t perks or niceties. They’re basic essentials when it comes to health and independence. Have a look at the article to learn more - this matters to all of us.

The chants that stayed with me on May 28 was not “Save ICS.” It was: “Disabled Lives Matter.” “We Are Human Too.” Those words should never have to be chanted outside the office of a governor in one of the wealthiest states in the nation. Yet there we were, wondering how many more times w...

06/04/2026

Join us on June 9 for an afternoon of whole‑person wellness for people living with MS.
ICS is hosting a community event focused on practical strategies, expert guidance, and peer support to help people with MS build resilience and improve quality of life.

Event Schedule:
– 12:00–12:45pm: Light Lunch
– 12:45–1:00pm: Welcome with Rachael Stacom, ANP‑BC, RN, MSCN
– 1:00–2:00pm: Thrive with MS: Tips for Whole‑Person Wellness with Rene Elkin, MD
– 2:00–2:30pm: Connecting with Others through Peer Support Groups with David Williams

Location:
Cooperative Home Care Associates
400 East Fordham Road, 13th Floor (Room 1371), Bronx, NY
(Entrance on Webster Ave)

To register:
Email [email protected]
Call 646.581.7104
Text WELLNESS to 888.984.5101

06/03/2026

Let’s be honest: “accessible tourism” is still mostly talk. Every year, airlines lose or damage more than 11,000 wheelchairs and scooters, leaving travelers stranded. Hotels label rooms “ADA compliant” but ignore real needs, like safe bed heights and reachable showerheads. This isn’t just about inconvenience; it’s about basic rights. If the industry cares, they need to center wheelchair users in every decision.

05/25/2026

Inclusion is a strategic advantage!

According to Disability Belongs, companies leading in disability inclusion report 1.6× higher revenue, 2.6× greater net income, and 19% more innovation revenue. Teams with diverse leadership make better decisions 87% of the time.

With 25% of U.S. adults living with a disability and a $1 trillion consumer market, accessibility is vital to business. Inclusive workplaces attract and retain top talent, especially as younger generations seek employers based on their values.

05/22/2026

Blocked bus lanes aren’t just frustrating; they’re a real barrier for many in our community.

According to new MTA data, UPS trucks were caught blocking NYC bus lanes over 25,000 times last year- almost twice as often as Amazon. These delays hit hardest for people with disabilities who rely on accessible transit to stay connected. When companies park “just for a few minutes,” those minutes add up to lost independence and missed opportunities.

Have you experienced blocked lanes in your neighborhood? We’d love to hear your story.

Most of the worst offenders for lane-clogging were delivery businesses who racked up thousands of violations.

05/21/2026

Big news for health equity in New York!

New York State just set aside $25 million to make health care more accessible for people with disabilities. NYU Dentistry received a substantial slice of that - $5 million - so they can ramp up their services and cut down those long wait times. This is a real step forward in making sure folks with developmental disabilities get the care they need, when they need it.

Just in time for the upcoming National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul announced 30 awards statewide totaling $25 million to expand health clinics and improve access to dental healthcare services for people with developmental disabilities as part of her 2025 State of t...

05/18/2026

Thank you to Civics League for Disability Rights for continuing to raise awareness about the urgent challenges facing people with physical disabilities across New York State.

This article reflects the reality many of our members face every day: delays, instability, loss of services, and a healthcare system that too often does not understand the needs of people with physical disabilities.

For more than 25 years, ICS has worked to provide disability-expert care that helps people remain healthy, independent, and living in their communities.

We encourage our community to read and share this important piece:
https://ablenews.com/they-were-warned-the-fight-to-save-ics-and-the-failure-of-new-yorks-disability-care-system/

There are moments when a protest becomes more than a demonstration. It becomes a reckoning. On May 5, more than one hundred people with physical disabilities, advocates, family members, and allies gathered outside Gov. Kathy Hochul’s New York City office to protest the closure of Independence Care...

05/15/2026

Join us May 19 for the Living Well with MS Educational Workshops, a supportive and informative wellness series focused on mobility, bladder health, and practical tools for living well with MS.

Open to everyone. Light lunch, giveaways, and mobility device tune-ups included.

Register:
[email protected]
646.581.7104
Text WELLNESS to 888.984.5101

05/08/2026

Flying with a wheelchair shouldn’t feel like taking a gamble.

For ages, airlines have brushed off the idea of letting passengers stay in their own wheelchairs during a flight, saying it was for “someday.” Well, “someday” just got closer. Airbus and Collins Aerospace rolled out new test models at the Aircraft Interiors Expo this year, and for the first time, they’re showing how someone could stay in their own wheelchair, properly secured, actually comfortable, and not worrying about damage or being separated from it.

It’s not ready yet - there are a pile of regulations to sort out, but the progress feels real.

John Morris visits the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Germany to test two new in-cabin wheelchair seating systems and find the answer to one important question: When will they be available on actual…