Independence Care System (ICS)

07/31/2026

This summer marks the end of an extraordinary chapter.

After 26 years of service, Independence Care System will officially close its doors this summer. Many of our staff members will leave ICS today.

For more than two decades, ICS redefined what coordinated, person-centered healthcare could look like for New Yorkers with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions. We demonstrated that independence and high-quality healthcare are not competing ideals—they belong together.

Throughout our history, thousands of members received compassionate care, advocacy, and support that empowered them to live independently in their communities. Behind every milestone was a team of dedicated professionals who believed that every person deserves dignity, choice, and the opportunity to thrive.

Our accomplishments cannot be measured only by programs launched, partnerships built, or services delivered. They are reflected in the lives that were changed, the barriers that were removed, and the community that grew stronger because ICS existed.

To every member who trusted us with your care, thank you.

To every employee, past and present, whose compassion, expertise, and commitment made this mission possible, thank you.

To our partners, providers, advocates, community organizations, and supporters, thank you for standing with us over these 26 remarkable years.

When ICS officially closes its doors it does not end the values that brought us together. The belief that people with disabilities deserve specialized, coordinated, and compassionate care will continue to inspire the work of countless advocates and organizations moving forward.

It has been an honor to serve.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.

With gratitude,
Independence Care System

07/30/2026

The proposed 72nd Street bike lane has Upper West Side residents with disabilities worried. In fact, a new lawsuit claims the design would actually make life harder- it forces people to cross a busy, two-way bike lane just to catch a bus, grab a taxi, use paratransit, or get to a medical ride. That’s not just inconvenient; it’s risky.

People point out the plan ignores anyone who needs curb access, whether they use a wheelchair, are blind or have low vision, or just depend on getting close to the curb to travel. This lawsuit isn’t just about one block, either. It draws attention to a citywide problem: If the city really wants to be bike-friendly, it cannot ignore people with disabilities. Accessibility and safety both matter.

The lawsuit was filed Saturday in New York's Southern District Court.

07/29/2026

In case you missed it, the NYPD Police Academy now bears the name of Steven McDonald, the officer who became quadriplegic after a 1986 shooting and went on to champion forgiveness and disability rights.

This honor highlights his legacy in disability advocacy, restorative justice, and compassionate public service; a meaningful milestone for New York City.

The NYPD’s state-of-the-art police academy was officially renamed Thursday after the late Detective Steven McDonald, a police officer shot and paralyzed in

07/27/2026

Congestion Pricing Saving Lives?

After congestion pricing took effect, Gothamist has reported ambulances started moving faster south of 60th Street. That means in emergencies like cardiac arrest, when every minute without treatment reduces survival chances by 7 to 10 percent - those precious seconds really count.

Setting aside heated debates on congestion pricing tolls, nobody wants to be stuck in gridlock when they need an ambulance. Faster hospital trips can make the difference between life and death, a big benefit worth paying attention to.

New research indicates that the tolling program has helped people reach the hospital faster during life-threatening emergencies.

07/24/2026

Opinion: Marcus Johnson reflects on the 36th anniversary of the ADA and points out a painful truth: the real battle isn’t a lack of laws, but how easily institutions sidestep the ones we have. People with disabilities still have to fight for basics like accessible subways, working curb ramps, affordable Access‑A‑Ride, and public services that should serve everyone.

The fight isn’t hypothetical; it’s playing out in courtrooms as well as risking the end of disability‑competent care coordination. More at the link.

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 with a promise that people with disabilities would no longer be excluded from full participation in American life. It recognized disability discrimination as a civil rights issue and established a framework for removing barriers across employment, transportation,....

07/23/2026

New York City is looking into a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease on the Upper East Side; it’s a wake-up call for anyone with serious medical conditions in the region.

Legionnaires’ is a severe pneumonia that hits hardest for older adults and people dealing with chronic illness. In recent years, cooling towers have been a problem, causing outbreaks from the city to the Hudson Valley.

If you have a chronic condition, or you’re caring for someone who does, pay attention to signs like fever, cough, muscle aches, or trouble breathing and seek out care early - catching it early could save a life.

The city's health department is testing all water cooling towers in the area for the bacteria that causes the severe form of pneumonia.

07/21/2026

Self-care is no indulgence, it’s a must.

When you’re living with a serious long-term condition, your body doesn’t always let you push your needs aside. Just ask Nadia, a parent and carer who manages arthritis and fibromyalgia. She didn’t slow down until her symptoms flared so badly she landed in the hospital. That was her body’s way of sounding the alarm: stop and pay attention.

It’s easy to put yourself at the bottom of the list, especially when you’re looking after someone else. But that often leads to exhaustion, worse health, and breaking points that can set you back.

So, how do you make space for yourself? Try weaving in a few new habits:
- Start a simple routine to calm your mind before the day takes over.
- Move your body in ways that actually feel good- not punishing workouts, just movement.
- Unplug for a while; let your mind reset away from screens.
- Choose foods that soothe your symptoms but still bring you happiness.
- Lean on friends and family who remind you you’re not alone.

Share your tips!

The mind and body are intrinsically linked. The body has a wonderful way of telling us when to rest and slow down when we start ignoring our mind’s voice when i

07/20/2026

July is Disability Pride Month - and this year is also the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MTA is marking the month with new events, conversations, and updates that show how accessibility is transforming transit for millions of New Yorkers with disabilities.

Over 160 subway stations are now fully accessible, with nine more upgraded just this year. The MTA has expanded ASL access through the Convo pilot, replaced 15 elevators to keep stations reliable, welcomed new voices to the Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility, and launched a redesigned MTA app for easier, accessible trip planning - including real-time elevator status.

Throughout July, you’ll spot Disability Pride Month digital displays across the transit system, and the MTA will join community events like the Disability Unite Festival in Central Park. Don’t miss the virtual conversation on July 21 with MTA leadership, where they’ll discuss how accessibility improvements are reshaping transit for everyone.

Transit access is a civil right, and every improvement matters.

July 26 marks the 36th year since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. To commemorate this milestone, MTA Accessibility will host or participate in a variety of events throughout the month of July.  If you have an event anytime throughout the year that you think would be a good opp...

07/17/2026

New York State has opened several Section 8 Project‑Based Voucher (PBV) waiting lists across NYC. PBVs are different from tenant‑based vouchers: rental assistance is tied to specific units in specific buildings and are not portable. Listings include senior housing, general occupancy units, and one property noting eligibility for people with disabilities.

NOTE: Applications are open through Friday, July 24 at 5 p.m.

All submissions during this window enter a random selection process for each waiting list. Placement doesn’t guarantee a voucher, but it can be an important step for people with very low income who are navigating housing barriers.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) New York City (NYC) Project Based Voucher (PBV) Waiting List Application

07/16/2026

The New York Botanical Garden is marking Disability Pride Month with a series of events that put disability joy, history, and community at the forefront.

If you haven't heard about it, this month you’ll find hands-on art workshops led by disabled artists, spotlights on botanical trailblazers with disabilities drawn from the Garden’s archives, and welcoming volunteer gardening projects designed for adults with developmental disabilities.

Not only is July a sunny summer month, but it is also Disability Pride Month, and the New York Botanical Garden is marking the occasion with a lineup of programming that’s as thoughtful as it is beautiful. From hands-on art workshops to archival deep dives into the lives of disabled botanical pion...