Message from Executive Director

Members, Friends, and Collaborators of CIDA,

We are delivering our March Newsletter with the news that the coronavirus incidence rate in New York is gradually decreasing and the vaccine supply is increasing. CIDA is striving to resume face-to-face general member meetings, and programs after summer. However, the recent series of racial discrimination and violence against Asians has raised concerns about community activities, especially for young adults with disabilities and the elderly. If you are a victim of racism or violence, please contact the nearest police station and 911 immediately. Also, please educate your children on how to respond to such situations. In addition, please let us know right away. CIDA will continue to provide support and assistance with our members, and will do our utmost to protect your rights and safety by working with other networks.

We wish you a safe and healthy March. Stay safe and healthy!

Young Seh Bae, Executive Director

Policy News

CDC, Ed Department Issue Guidance On Reopening Schools To Students With Disabilities
Source: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/

In order to safely reopen schools for in-person learning and serve students with disabilities, federal officials are laying out a safety roadmap. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Education emphasized that if schools take precautions, schools can safely operate again during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a handbook from the Education Department it states that students with disabilities shouldn’t be left behind as schools resume in-person learning.

Schools must still give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says
Source: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/

The Biden administration stated that states must administer standardized tests this year. School will not be held accountable for test results and states can give shorter, remote, or delayed changes to the exams. Schools will have to find ways to safely administer exams to students even if they are doing remote learning. Regular standardized tests were canceled last school year due to COVID-19 closings.

What’s Up at CIDA

CIDA Member Conference

In 2020, CIDA was able to bring back to the community despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We invite all CIDA members to our first All Members’ Conference on March 18 to share what we have achieved in 2020 and discuss goals and objectives for 2021.

Mask and Food Distribution at CIDA

CIDA held another mask distribution for the month of February. This is part of CIDA’s COVID-19 project and CIDA will continue to provide masks, hand sanitizers, and food to those families who are facing economic hardships during the pandemic. CIDA also receives donations for this program, and if you would like to contribute, please visit our donation page: https://cidainfo.com/get-involved-cida-uses-paypal/.

Events

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, all events are now online. Please check our event calendar for event details and registration information.

• 2020 Tax Report (Korean) March 9 at 8:00pm: Workshop (Parents of all ages)
• IEP Meeting Preparation (Korean) March 16 at 8:00pm: Workshop & Support Group (Parents of K-12)
• IEP Meeting Preparation (Mandarin) March 17 at 8:00pm: Workshop & Support Group (Parents of K-12)
• CIDA Member Conference March 18 at 8:00pm: Meeting (Parents of all ages)
• Youth Advisory Group Meeting March 19 at 8:00pm: Invitation only
• Community Living Support Group March 25 at 8:00pm: Support Group (Families of youth and adults)
• Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) Meeting March 26 at 9:30am: Invitation only