Able News

Timeless reminders from disability advocate Peri Finkelstein of Team Peri Foundation: don't listen to the naysayers and follow your heart! Read Peri's story in the August issue of Able News: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd (Image description: A photo of Peri, a white woman with brown wavy hair who is in a wheelchair. She is wearing a blue blazer, a striped dress, and a green bag. Next to the picture is a quote that reads: "Follow your heart and your passions, and just go for it. Don’t listen to the naysayers and move past your preconceived notion of limitations. You should not allow your disability to be the totality of who you are as a person." Above the quote is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star. The full graphic is surrounded by a blue border.)

Have you heard the news? A new food pantry just opened at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Patchogue, staffed by volunteers from Rise Life Services. Read our latest issue for more details: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd Image description: Volunteers prepare lunch for the soup kitchen, which is associated with the food pantry, including, from left, Leah Tremblay, Judy Rohtla, and Michele Napoli, all from Patchogue. Photo courtesy of RISE Life Services.

The year is continuing to fly by, and the August issue of Able News is already here! In this issue, you’ll find original reporting on a range of topics, including: a new Long Island food pantry, accessible parks across New York, universal changing tables, disability-related baseball history, and lots more. Read, share, and subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd (Image description: At the top is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center, with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star. Below is text that reads "The August digital issue of Able News is now live!" Under the text is an image of the front page of the August issue, featuring a story entitled 'New Patchogue Food Pantry Staffed by Disabled Volunteers.'" The full graphic is bordered by blue and yellow geometric shapes.)

Did you know Able News has a community calendar in our monthly print and digital issues? Share information about events, learning opportunities, and advocacy opportunities with us anytime by emailing us at ablenews@viscardicenter.org! Image description: A illustration of a diverse group of people with and without disabilities below text that says "Able News can help you stay updated on the latest disability community events and advocacy opportunities!" Above the text is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star.

Accessible fun is coming to Long Island! The Village of Port Washington North received $1 million in state funding to build a new accessible playground for children with disabilities and autism. Thank you to Newsday Media Group reporter for sharing the perspective of Able News Editor Emily Ladau, who is a wheelchair user, on why movement toward accessible playgrounds is so vital.

Your words can make a difference. Your story has power. Read Andraea LaVant's story in the June issue of Able News: https://lnkd.in/gJx5SvEv (Image description: A quote in bold black text, accompanied by a photo of Andraéa. Quote reads: "You have to know yourself before you can outwardly make an impact...Where I found my power to be was in my story." Above the quote is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star. The full graphic is surrounded by a blue border.)

Long Island Bombers Beep Baseball is changing the game for disability inclusion in sports! Read Steven McCoy's coverage of the team in the July issue of Able News: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd (Image description: At the top is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center, with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star. Below is an image of beep baseball players together in Central Park, with the author of the photo. Under the image is text that says "Meet the Long Island Bombers Beep Baseball Team." The full graphic is bordered by blue and yellow geometric shapes.)

“I’ve always known what it felt like to be seen or labeled as “other.” When I began my career at LICM overseeing the LICM4all program, the objective I gave myself was to create a space where kiddos like me could feel that sense of “otherness” slip away. I feel strongly based on the feedback we’ve received from families that this goal of removing stigma is working.” —LICM Access and Inclusion Program Director Beth Ann Balalaos   As we begin Disability Pride Month, we wanted to highlight a recent article in Able News written by our Access and Inclusion Program Director, Beth Ann Balalaos. Visit https://lnkd.in/euugkKYT to read more about the resources offered as part of our LICM4all program, as well as the personal experience that inspired Beth Ann’s career.    We are grateful to the following foundations for their generous support of LICM4All: Charitable Lead Annuity Trust under the Will of Louis Feil  New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Frank J. Antun Foundation  Frederic R. Coudert Foundation  MARILYN LICHTMAN FOUNDATION  The Marion O. and Maximilian E. Hoffman Foundation   PSEG Foundation  THE MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION, INC Laura J. Niles Foundation    LICM received critical initial funding for LICM4all from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.     #DisabilityPrideMonth #InclusionMatters #CelebrateDifferences #LICM4All #PlayLICM 

Our July cover story gives the inside scoop on the Disability Unite Festival, happening this Sunday, July 14, in Central Park! Read on for more details about how you can join the celebration in person or virtually: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd Image description: Photo from the 2022 Disability Unite Festival of Lachi ♫, a Black woman in a bold, sparkly black outfit, singing passionately on the Disability Unite stage. Photo credit: Rick Guidotti, Positive Exposure. (Note, there will be a new line-up of performers this year!)

July is Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To mark the occasion, the July edition of Able News celebrates the disability community! In this issue, you’ll find a range of perspectives about disability pride and the ADA, an update on the halt to congestion pricing and its impact on transit accessibility, an introduction to the game of beep baseball, and more. Read, share, and subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eixTPemd (Image description: At the top is the logo for Able News at The Viscardi Center, with a blue and white icon of a wheelchair user reaching for a star. Below is text that reads "The July digital issue of Able News celebrates Disability Pride!!" Under the text is an image of the front page of the July issue, featuring a story entitled "Disability Unite: Celebrating Community in Central Park." The full graphic is bordered by blue and yellow geometric shapes.)