New York Legal Assistance Group

One look at the data on students' reading challenges in New York City schools, and the inherent racial and economic disparities are clear. But while NYC's Education Department seeks to address these reading struggles among younger grades, we have yet to see solutions for older students who received flawed instruction or went without interventions — and the stakes are even higher for those with learning disabilities like dyslexia. This piece from The New York Times highlights multiple stories of students and families still in need of meaningful programmatic support, including that of Ms. Dipisa and her son Alejandro who work with NYLAG Special Education Unit's Equal Justice Works fellow Calleigh Higgins to obtain the support Alejandro needs. Given the immense consequences of reading gaps like heightened risks of cyclical poverty and other systemic harms, it's incumbent on the DOE to include older students in their efforts to improve reading proficiency — especially for those most in need of interventions. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dkQfRajj

Because CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program) is a Medicaid program, disabled people of lower-incomes and people of color depend on this program for both their care and livelihood. The planned changes in this support system are so drastic that home care and jobs will no doubt be disrupted – putting lives at risk and stripping autonomy specifically from disabled people of lower-incomes and people of color who depend on this program for their care, while eliminating opportunities for their loved ones to maintain an income while caring for them. More from Mother Jones about the potential impact of this plan: https://lnkd.in/geNxWEzX

#AccessSpecialEd as a racial justice issue: Navigating the special education system can be complicated for every family, but this report from the NYC Comptroller’s office confirms the same racial, social, and economic injustices we see across the board — that Black, Hispanic, and low-income students disproportionately face barriers to accessing the support they need and are entitled to. Special education access doesn’t exist in a vacuum, but directly reflects and further impacts already existing inequities. With access to the proper services, students with disabilities have tremendous potential for progress; inversely, every moment they go without the support they need, they fall that much further behind. That the latter is disproportionately true for Black, Hispanic, and low-income students points to glaring racial and economic inequities in which these students and their families have most to lose and face the steepest climb to get appropriate special education support and ultimately, to thrive. See the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e9A9VNUF 

Evicting more of our new neighbors from shelter is deeply cruel, creates more logistical nightmares, and further destabilizes families already facing countless obstacles to build their lives here. We condemn this decision — and the policy itself — in the strongest terms. https://lnkd.in/eFE4_nHm

Between traveling to the intake center and waiting for hours, applying for shelter or re-entry can pose serious burdens for families already experiencing trauma and instability. Thanks to New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala’s recent legislation, requiring children to attend intakes in person is one less thing to worry about–and one fewer obstacle for families in urgent need of a roof over their heads. Read more from Gothamist: https://lnkd.in/eb4dtdXe

For cancer patients here in the US on visas to receive medical treatment, their focus should be on their health—not navigating the complexities of immigration paperwork. Last week, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP partnered with NYLAG’s Legal Health Unit to host a clinic addressing just that, and we are grateful to everyone involved for working to extend patients’ visas so they can continue receiving treatment here in New York. #immigrationlaw #legalservices #outreach  

Facing challenges with student loan payments? You’re not alone. Learn how personalized financial counseling can secure loan forgiveness and provide options in navigating repayment challenges, ultimately transforming lives, through some of our clients’ stories ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ewgiRqfP #financialcounseling #financialstability #empower 

It’s #BackToSchool season in New York! Even with all the excitement for students returning to classes, it can be a particularly stressful time for their families making sure they’re ready to begin the school year. This is especially true for families navigating the special education system — and even more so if they’re also contending with poverty or other obstacles. While federal law guarantees that children with disabilities can receive appropriate special education services and supports, a right is only as good as it is accessible, and for low-income families, navigating this incredibly complex system requires time and resources that can put it altogether out of reach. Over the next few weeks, NYLAG will highlight how our Special Education Unit works with families to ensure their children can meaningfully #AccessSpecialEd, and how important that is for students, families, and communities alike. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, learn more about the unit here: https://lnkd.in/ePeKnwhN 

NYLAG #InTheNews 📰 Recently arrived immigrants often face various forms of retaliation in the workplace, and while they have guaranteed protections against this discrimination, many hesitate to report harassment or are simply unaware that these protections exist. NYLAG’s Employment Law Project Director, @Mel González, joined Documented for a Q&A session with newly arrived immigrants to advise them of their workplace rights, clarify misconceptions about working as an undocumented immigrant, and underscore the need for further legal assistance in New York’s immigration courts. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e-JTS6Uv 

This Monday Documented's Latino Community Correspondent Rommel H. Ojeda hosted a presentation and Q&A with more than 150 recently arrived immigrants and members from our WhatsApp community to tackle misinformation about working as an undocumented migrant in the state of New York. Migrants shared with us the need for legal assistance in New York’s immigration courts and the lack of job opportunities available to those in the cusp of obtaining their work permits. We share our special thanks to presenter Mel González, project director for the Employment Law Project at New York Legal Assistance Group. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e-JTS6Uv