By Melvyn R. Tanzman, Executive Director There has been considerable fear and confusion regarding the changes mandated by Governor Cuomo’s Medicaid Redesign Team, most significantly community local term care or home care becoming the responsibility of contracted Managed Care Organizations.… Read More »MANAGED LONG TERM CARE IS COMING IN 2013 TO WESTCHESTER
The Staff and Board at WDOMI just completed a fabulous four month cross-cultural experience with a international disability leader from Uganda. Alex Lawoko, who is deaf, shared with us his vision for empowering people with disabilities in Uganda by training… Read More »THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS PROGRAM: A UNIQUE CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY LEADER AND HOST NOT-FOR-PROFIT- By Mel Tanzman Executive Director
By, Mel Tanzman Executive Director One Tuesday November 6th I came home at 6PM after voting at 7AM and spending much of the day surveying polling sites to verify whether they were accessible as claimed by the Board of Elections.… Read More »STORM OF THE CENTURY AND HISTORIC ELECTION PUTS EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE
By Mel Tanzman, Executive Director Have you or a loved one ever received home skilled services or outpatient Therapy under Medicare only to have services terminated because you have, according to your provider, reached your maximum rehabilitation potential? Well if… Read More »GOOD NEWS FOR RECIPIENTS OF MEDICARE: THE FEDS ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE THERAPY FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC DISABILITIES
This week was one filled with loss and commemoration of two members of our community who while very different touched the lives of so many. They did not know each other and they lived over 100 miles apart, yet each… Read More »Honoring the Loss of Our Own- By Mel Tanzman Executive Director
I watched as did most reasonable Americans in complete horrendous disbelief as the reports of the death of a 17 year old African- American young man or shall I say more pointedly most reasonable white suburban Americans were shocked ; while most African- American males probably said “business as usual. “Read More »In Tribute to Trayvon Martin
Every Fathers Day Weekend for at least the past 20 years, you can find me in Croton Point Park at the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival, a folk festival established by legendary folksinger Pete Seeger back in 1978. The proceeds from this festival have gone to efforts to restore and clean up the Hudson River. So what has this to do with disability rights? The answer will be clear to you after you read “Disability/Access piece for Revival Program book” at the end of this blog entry.Read More »THOUGHTS COMMEMORATING THE 2012 CLEARWATER’s GREAT HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL
This is a blog entry that appeared in: T.K. Small, Attorney & Disability Rights Advocate
My legal practice is in the area of promoting the civil rights of people with disabilities. As such, I pay very close attention to public policy and practically everything related to politics. Both personally and professionally, I am supportive of the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement. I support this burgeoning movement, not because I agree with them completely, but rather, because so far they have been the only opposing voice to entrenched power and the Tea Party. For many in the disability community, the Tea Party and Ayn Rand inspired activists are simply too scary. Read More »Thoughts on Occupy Wall Street
We all know that in today’s society, it is politically, culturally and socially incorrect to discriminate against anyone for any reason. The truth of the matter is – - it does happen! It is rare then, that there is a company that manages to emerge and stand out by distinctly setting the example of corporate leadership in the community. Here is a brief story of my encounter:
Last summer as we geared up for the 10th Annual Sprit of Independence Awards Gala & Silent Auction, I had arranged to meet & greet with Read More »What every resident in Westchester County needs to know about ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc.