Special Needs Organizations: The Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled

The Disabilities Leadership Council is continuing its series highlighting important organizations in the special needs community. Today’s focus is the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled (BCID). According to its website, the BCID “[empowers] persons with disabilities by improving the quality of their lives and fostering their integration into the mainstream of society.” The Center also seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities have their full civil rights. It is highly active in advocacy for individuals with disabilities and in training these individuals to be their own advocates. Services provided by BCID include disability rights advocacy, peer support, resource information and referral, housing advocacy, independent living skills consultation, government benefits information and advocacy, and youth services.

One of the major issues that BCID is trying to work with is transition planning, for young adults transitioning from the school system into the workforce. The Disabilities Leadership Council was able to interview Raphael Rivas, the BCID’s Youth in Transition Coordinator, to try and learn more about the issues facing these young adults. He said that a big problem is that many young adults aren’t aware that they have a disability, whether it be a learning or developmental disability. Raphael said, “They’re not aware of it while they’re in school. Because they don't realize they have a disability, they may not be fully prepared for an interview. They more often than not don't know if they should disclose their disability if they even know that they have one.”

Raphael also explained that the current educational system is inadequate for persons with disabilities. He said that many individuals are getting a diploma called the IEP diploma, which (unlike the GED) is not a substitute for a regular high school diploma. Because of the IEP’s shortcomings, many employers are unwilling to hire students who only have the IEP diploma. Raphael said, “These students are leaving the system lost. They are falling through the cracks and not getting the services that they need.” He said that New York is phasing out the Local High School Diploma. Raphael said, “There is more potential for failure at this point, since students have to get either the GED or the regions diploma to be attractive to employers.” When asked about the current state of transition planning, Raphael said that the system currently in place in New York City is inadequate to serve the needs of the students. He said, “Transition plans in New York City are poor and generic, not tailored specifically to each individual.”

Lastly, Raphael talked about how the system of caring for persons with disabilities will change in the future. He said that, as awareness of these issues increases, more people will become involved in helping to solve the problems. More individuals with disabilities will also become involved in advocating for themselves, which will accelerate the drive towards solutions. Disabilities Leadership Council founder Stuart Flaum said, “I think Raphael really speaks for young people in transition. He really understands the needs of youth in transition, in part because he sees them struggling for success as measured by the higher standards that an employer expects.” The Council invites our readers to comment on the blog, because this issue is going to become extremely significant in the special needs community.