If a youth is defined as "disabled," he/she cannot be denied a job unless the disability interferes with the ability to perform the requirements of the job. This protection is provided by the NYS Human Rights Law; the law also protects the disabled from discrimination in training programs, housing, public accommodations and non-sectarian tax-exempt accommodations and non-sectarian tax exempt education. "Disability" can be mental or emotional as well as physical.
VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (VESID) 426-5410
15 Perlman Drive
Spring Valley, NY 10977
Contact: Jon Letscher
A NYS agency designed "to restore, develop or improve the working ability of handicapped individuals to the point where they can become satisfactorily employed or self-supporting. In order to be eligible for services, an individual must have a physical, mental or emotional disability which deters employment and must be in a position to benefit from the services offered."
ECKERSON VILLAGE (formerly Help Me, Inc.)
164 E. Eckerson Rd., Spring Valley 10977
Contact: Lila Steinberg
Emphasis on independent living for physically handicapped, non-mentally impaired.
OFFICE OF ADVOCATE OF THE DISABLED (toll free) 1-800-522-4369
NYS DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 949-4394
30 Glenn St., White Plains (regional office)
All children identified as handicapped between 5 and 21 years must be provided a free program of training and education appropriate to their individual needs. Special Education Services must be provided for all identified children from 0-21 years. The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) provides this mandate.
Programs for special children have grown significantly in recent years and a network of services exists in Rockland. Committees on Special Education required by education law provide a structure that should help families be in touch with services, but, for the network to work well, active, caring committees are vital.
Past legislation has defined more specifically how PL94-142's intent should be implemented. Programs must be provided in the least restrictive environment which is defined as being located as near as possible to home residence. Whenever possible, the handicapped child should be kept in mainstream rather than isolated activities. Individual education plans (IEP) are also required under PL94-142.
Services provided can be:
1. Special programs which are supplementary to the regular school program (e.g. a special reading program.
2. Separate self-contained classrooms, but within the local school building.
3. Special programs outside the local school (most of which are day programs, but can be residential).
COMMITTEES ON SPECIAL EDUCATION (CSE)
These are mandated in all school districts and must include representatives of schools, parents, and specialists in the field. All educational plans for youth defined as disabled must be approved by the CSE. Call local school district for present chairperson and membership.
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION (CSE)
Organization and Responsibilities
LOCAL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION
1. School psychologist identify all children who may need special education.
2. Teacher or administrator recommend appropriate educational programs and placement.
3. School physician review and evaluate each classified child in district annually.
4. Parent of a disabled recommend continuation, modificaion, change in placement of educational program.
5. Others
COMPONENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION
1. Physical Examination
2. Individual Psychological Evaluation
3. Social History
4. Observation in the classroom
5. Appropriate Educational Evaluations
6. Assessments in all area relating to suspected disability
7. Vocational assessment (if appropriate)
ROCKLAND COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE LEARNING DISABLED 364-6500
100 Dutch Hill Road, Suite 120
Orangeburg 10962
Contact: Norm Silverman
This organization sponsors programs and advocated for children diagnosed as learning disabled (LD)
JAWONIO 634-4648
260 Little Tor Rd., N., New City 10956
Director: Paul Tendler
Provides diagnostic, therapeutic and recreational services to younger persons, and runs a pre-school for multiple-handicapped (3-5 years), a school-age program in cooperation with BOCES, and Camp Jawonio.
ROCKLAND COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED 574-4950
260 Old Nyack Turnpike
Spring Valley 10977
Director: Ruth Wein
Services include information, referral, counseling, daily skills training, library service, transportation assistance.
ROCKLAND ASSOCIATION FOR THE HELP OF RETARDED CITIZENS (ARC) 267-2500
25 Hemlock Drive, Congers 10920
Executive Director: Karyl Caplan
Conducts a varied program of services for developed disabled, multi-handicapped and traumatic brain injured children (ages birth-21 years), including infant stimulation programs, pre-school, transitional education, evening and weekend recreational programs, summer program, school recess programs, daily living skills, sheltered workshop, vocational education and training, respite and residential services and family support groups.
VENTURE, INC. 624-3860
100 Convent Rd., Nanuet 10954
Contact: Katherine Lukens
Provides direct services for mentally retarded children, adolescents and adults, including Camp Venture (summer day camp), group homes, sheltered workshops, and supervised evening recreation program for young adults, supportive and supervised apartments, supportive work program, Venture Center for Adult Learning in Sparkill.
LETCHWORTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICES 947-1000
P.O. Box 470, Thiells 10984
Director: Frederick Zazycki
Residential services in intermediate care facilities, commuity residences, individual, residential alternative and family care, case management services, home and community based services waiver, care at home waiver for children who are medically fragile, family reimbursement, information and referral, advocacy and habilitative services. Services are provided to Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties.
ROCKLAND COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE AUTISTIC 268-2017
92a Lake Road, Valley Cottage 10989
Contact: Diane Geminhardt
Recreation for autistic children, respite and support services for families.
ROCKLAND COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED 429-5158
P.O. Box, New City 10956
Contact: Kenny Beyer
Organization of parents, teachers, professionals and others interested in the welfare of the hearing impaired.
ROCKLAND INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER 426-0707
238 N. Main St., Suite 13 Spring Valley 10977
Support group for disabled people and their families to share thoughts, concerns, solutions to problems with others concerning personal care, hearing impairment, women with disabilities and deaf persons advocacy group.
ROCKLAND COUNTY OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 364-2758
Bldg. A, Rm. 162, Sanatorium Rd., Pomona 10970
The Office is responsible for assisting physically handicapped persons and their families in efforts to advocate for their rights under the law. Assistance in obtaining counseling, education, housing, employment, leisure, recreation and transportation services is provided.
RISE EAST SCHOOL 364-3611
Pomona Health Center
Bldg. J, Sanatorium Rd., Pomona 10970
Serves multiple-handicapped persons (ages 5-21) in Rockland County not accepted for public school or BOCES services with therapeutic, individualized, comprehensive programs, family/parent counseling, and a summer program.
ST. DOMINIC'S SCHOOL 359-3400
Western Highway, Blauvelt 10913
Educational program for day students who are emotionally disturbed. (Kindergarten through age 16) Related services.
BIRCHWOOD SCHOOL 358-8830
214 Sickletown Rd., West Nyack 10994
Principal: Art Jakubowitz
Public therapeutic day school for emotionally handicapped students from 5-21 years of age.
SUMMIT SCHOOL 358-7772
339 N. Broadway, Nyack 10960
Principal: Richard Sitman
Residential Admissions: Tom Schaeffer
Day and residential school for children with emotional, learning adjustment problems (9-21 yrs.), referred by CSE.
RESPITE CARE
St. Agatha's 623-3461
135 Convent Rd., Nanuet 10954
Resource available to parents of handicapped children (ages infants to 21) from 6 pm Friday to 6 pm Sunday (2 beds each weekend free).
Wesley Chapel 623-3461 (under aegis of St. Agatha's, Suffern 10901)
Respite care for parents of youth under 18 who are ambulatory.
Letchworth Developmental 947-1000
Disability Services
P.O. 470, Thiells 10984
Twenty-four hour respite care.
ASSOCIATION FOR THE HELP OF RETARDED CITIZENS (ARC)
Twenty-four hour respite care for developmentally disabled, ages 15 and up, available in Suffern for up to 30 days. Also trained adult sitting staff for developmentally disabled 18 years and up, short term (4 hrs. maximum) in home.
GEORGE C. DEMAS PLAYGROUND
Jawonio, 260 Little Tor Rd. N., New City 10956
This is the first playground in RC designed for physically handicapped children ages 1-12, and is open to family groups, including the general public, after school and on weekends.
Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops for handicapped students are at the Jesse Kaplan School on the BOCES campus.
ROCKLAND SPECIAL OLYMPICS 947-1000 x2103
Contact: Charles Jones
These are held for mentally retarded and developmentally disabled persons each summer. Many Clarkstown students volunteer to help in the large event which takes place on school grounds in Clarkstown.
POSITIVE DIRECTIONS, INC. 634-1300
248F N. Main St. 638-1943
New City 10956
Director: Barry Friedman
Program provides therapeutic horseback riding for learning disabled youth (ages 6-18) Saturdays and Thursdays after school. Emphasis is on mastering skills to improve self-image.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TRAINING AND RESEARCH CENTER (SETRC) BOCES 623-3828 x352
65 Parrot Rd., W. Nyack 10954
Contact: Barbara Fuchs
For copies of "A Parent's Guide to Special Education: Your Child's Educational Rights in New York State" may be obtained and further information received.
OFFICE OF CHILDREN WITH HANDICAPPING CONDITIONS (Region 6) NYS EDUCTION DEPT. 914-245-0010
Regional Associate: Carol Rapport
For information re Special Education.
STUDENT ADVOCACY INC. 358-3803
10 South Broadway, Nyack 10960
Contact: Kay Frank
Direct advocacy, information and technical assistance re-educational rights and entitlements, for ages 3-21, The. program offers school districts educational speakers who are available to speak before PTA's and SEPTA's. Other services include legal representation at superintendent's hearings. Bilingual.