New Online Resources — Perspectives

This year, CANY kicks off a new online project called Perspectives. It’s a series of conversations with those whose lives are committed to improving access for people with disabilities…access to community resources, to jobs, to creative means of expression and more. With smiles on our faces, we launch Perspectives with a frank and funny talk with Lawrence Carter-Long – writer, dancer, raconteur and Director of Advocacy with the Disabilities Network of New York City. Click here to download the podcast or read the transcript of “Help! Shark!”

“Look at this for what it is. I’m not overcoming anything. And this is not about surpassing a disability. This is the stuff; this is the clay I mold with.”

— Lawrence Carter-Long

“Perspectives on Autism”

And while you’re checking out the conversation with Lawrence Carter-Long, take a moment to listen to this terrific resource as well. In December, The Museum Access Consortium hosted a workshop at The Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled “Perspectives on Autism.” The first part of the afternoon was a panel discussion among parents of children on the spectrum. It focused on the uses of art to access language and to develop social and creative skills. The panel was followed by a presentation by Briant Canha, father of a son with autism, concerning his son’s extraordinary artistic evolution. It was an informative and inspiring afternoon and we think you’ll think so, too. Click here to download the podcast or read the transcript of “Perspectives on Autism.”

And don’t forget that you can subscribe to the entire series at iTunes.

Citywide Science Scholarship Fund

“If you heard that students were petting snakes and eating bugs you might think they were competing on reality TV. But we were visiting New York City parks and, at the Salt Marsh Nature Center in Brooklyn, eat bugs we did!”

During the February school break – Kid’s Week for the Urban Park Rangers – the Salt Marsh Nature Center opened its doors to kids of all abilities. And through CANY’s Citywide Science Scholarship Fund, CANY and the Rangers teamed up to host nine Educational Vision Services students as they joined mainstream kids to explore the Salt Marsh. Together, kids with and without disabilities enjoyed hands-on activities that ranged from tracking animal prints to nature hikes to eating Chocolate Chip Cricket Cookies.

“As a City Access New York chaperon, on the bus ride home each day, I heard students rave about how much they loved the program and about how they couldn’t wait to attend again in April. It was a terrific week for kids who otherwise would probably have just stayed home for the holiday. And I think I had as much fun as the students…well, except for eating the crickets!”

— Kristy VanAlstyne, CANY coordinator

This citywide scholarship fund is made possible by generous support from the J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation.

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