Message from Executive Director

Members, Friends, and Collaborators of CIDA,

As more of us are being vaccinated and schools and workplaces have reopened in-person, we are starting to see a ray of hope in the long pandemic that seemed to have no end in sight.

On September 25th, CIDA held the Very Special Art Festival at St John’s University. With the theme of “a million dreams,” the participants and parents beautifully expressed their amazing dreams and hopes in drawings and painting. We would like to express our gratitude to the New York Korean Art Association members and 15 volunteers who elevated the day with their big hearts and helping hands for the community.

Another great news is that CIDA was approved by the U.S. Department of Education this year as a Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC), supporting Korean American Families with Disabilities in NYC and Long Island. This allowed CIDA to continue our work for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

This year seems to be going by exceptionally fast. I hope that the remaining three months of 2021 are healthy and happy for you all.

Young Seh Bae, Executive Director

Policy News

New York City’s Education Department is Introducing Literacy Screening for Nearly 200,000 Children.
Source: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/

In a massive bid to gauge reading skills following COVID-related learning disruptions, New York City’s education department is introducing literacy screening for its nearly 200,000 children in kindergarten through second grade.This fall’s early literacy effort is part of a wider $635 million infusion, almost entirely federally funded, aimed at getting thousands of students back on track under what Mayor Bill de Blasio and schools Chancellor Meisha Porter have dubbed the “NYC Universal Academic Recovery Plan.”

ICYMI: Office of Special Education Program Released OSEP Fast Facts
Source: OSEP Factsheet

In case you missed it, earlier this year, OSEP published a report and factsheet that revealed Asian students with disabilities are more likely to be identified with autism or hearing impairment. Click here to access Asian Students with Disabilities Factsheet.

What’s Up at CIDA

CIDA’s 6th Annual ‘Very Special Art Festival’

CIDA parents, youths, and children reunited at the 6th annual ‘Very Special Art Festival’ for the first time since the pandemic. Artists of all abilities showcased their creativity on this year’s theme of “A Million Dreams”. All artworks are exhibited on our online gallery https://www.veryspecialart.com/.

We thank all CIDA artists, families, volunteers, art festival committee members, and sponsors for making our 2021 Very Special Art Festival possible!

CIDA Awarded US DOE OSEP Grant and kicked off

CIDA is awarded the Community for Parent Resource Center (CPRC) grant to continue our work as a parent center serving Korean families in the New York City area. This grant will allow CIDA to continue in providing parent workshops and one-on-one services to help Korean families understand student’s education rights under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Events

Please check our event calendar for event details and registration information.

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Parent Training (Beginner Level) Lunch Time Workshop – Oct 14 at 12:00pm: Parents of School Age Children (Age 5 -16)

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Parent Training (Intermediate Level) Lunch Time Workshop – Oct 19 at 12:00pm: Parents of School Age Children (Age 5 -16)

• Young Adult Parent Support Group – Oct 28 at 7:00pm: Parents of Young Adults (age 16 and above)

CIDA Cast

We are excited to announce a new segment in the newsletter! On CIDA Cast, CIDA staff members will share their contributions to making disability a possibility. To kick off the first one, Wendy Xia, Field Associate, shares her experience at the Job Shadow Day with Old Navy.
Click here to read her story.