2018 March News

teddi3Newsletter

CIDA’s Latest News and Event Announcement
From the CIDA Newsdesk

March is here and Spring is just around the corner. This month’s CIDA’s Newsletter delivers helpful resources for parents and updates about new events.

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Policy Update

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New York City’s Incoming Chancellor, Richard Carranza

Who is He?

On Monday, Mayor De Blasio named Richard Carranza, Superintendent of Houston schools, as New York City Schools chancellor to replace the retiring Carmen Fariña. Mr. Carranza served as superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District for four years before going to Houston. Apart from his work as an educator, Carranza is an accomplished mariachi musician who was inducted into the Mariachi Hall of Fame in 2016. Media reports that his appointment was seen as an effort to connect with the city’s Hispanic students, the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in public schools

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New York State Protects Transgender Students

NYS Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia Sents a Letter to School Districts

New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman informed NYS Schools that NYS Education Department is in opposition to the recent decision by the Federal Department of Education to terminate investigations of civil rights complaints from transgender students regarding access to bathroom facilities. In the letter sent to school districts across New York State, Attorney General and Commissioner stated, “irrespective of the federal government’s decision, Schools in NYS have independent duties under federal and state law to protect transgender students from discrimination and harassment in their schools and at all school functions.”
Read more here: http://www.nysed.gov/news/2018/state-education-commissioner-elia-and-ag-schneiderman-remind-schools-new-york-state

What’s Up at CIDA

CIDA Launches KANECT Project

On February 28, CIDA presented the KANECT Project, a program that develops the employment opportunities for Korean-American young adults with disabilities, in a formal press release conference. This program is funded by the Nanum Foundation, Southpole Foundation and CIDA’s Board of Directors. As mentioned in the previous newsletter, The KANECT Project’s goal is to build a bridge between employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities and local communities’ needs, in addition to strengthening and stabilizing the economy of local communities.

Through this project, CIDA will match the interests of job seekers (with disabilities) with local employers through a community partnership and network. Furthermore, CIDA will connect these local efforts with both local and state governments. By doing so, CIDA expects that both employment opportunities for disabled individuals will expand and the local community will benefit by developing further.

During 2018, CIDA will focus on assisting internship and employment program referrals and support services. Also, CIDA will hold a workshop to local employers with American Disability Act training on May 11. KANECT Project participants are adults with disabilities (regardless of age or disability) and residents of New York State. For further information, please contact CIDA at 718-224-8197

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Media Reports

See Me for Me Campaign​
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

http://cidainfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/IMG_0042_cdda9g-e1542782644418.png In 1987, President Ronald Reagan made a public proclamation that the month of March should be recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to “increase public awareness of the needs and potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.” The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) have collaborated to plan a campaign for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2018! This year’s theme is “See Me for Me,” emphasizing the need to look beyond disabilities and see disabled individuals simply as people.

CIDA is joining this movement to raise awareness about developmental disabilities, to teach the importance of inclusion within every aspect of life, and to share the stories of disabled individuals to show that a successful life is possible!

Here are things you can join “See Me for Me” activities with CIDA:

    1. When you post on Social Media, add #DDAwareness2018
    2. Email us at cidaofny@gmail.com regarding your family stories involving developmental disabilities. CIDA will share your stories and photos via our next Newsletter.