Best of the Web: Community Information

Hospital Audiences, Inc. provides access to the arts to culturally isolated New Yorkers. HAI service recipients include people with mental and physical disabilities, developmentally disabled persons, bed-confined / wheelchair-users, visually and hearing-impaired individuals, the homeless, the frail elderly, youth at risk, participants in substance abuse programs, persons with HIV/AIDS, and individuals in correctional facilities.

Access-A-Ride is a shared ride, door-to-door paratransit service for people with disabilities. Access-A-Ride provides transportation for people who are unable to use public bus or subway service for some or all of their trips. MTA New York City Transit administers Access-A-Ride private carriers under contract to NYC Transit provide service.

Information about the ACT

This list contains the telephone numbers and Internet addresses of federal agencies and other organizations that provide information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and informal guidance in understanding and complying with different provisions of the ADA.

The New York State Affordable Housing Directory (AHD) is a resource designed to assist you in locating affordable rental housing in the State of New York.

Resources for those with Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, care professionals, and the general public are available, as well as information about chapter activities.

A service of the National Institute on Aging, this site offers information about Alzheimer's disease, including clinical trials, and resources for caregivers.

Founded in 1952 under the auspices of the Catholic Church, ACIM offers free, expert assistance on immigration matters, filing of petitions, applications for citizenship, information on green cards, lottery registration, and student visas.

Provides prevention and rehabilitation programs for at-risk youth and young offenders in East Harlem and the Lower East Side.

Information on how to apply for a reduced-fare MetroCard.

Information on requesting birth certificates as well as how to make corrections to these documents.

Application for a dog license. Instructions available in Spanish.

AAFE offers information on the following: advocacy & community education, affordable housing developments, homeownership, small business assistance, and social & legal services.

Includes information on election dates and candidates, voter registration statistics by borough, and links to related sites such as the League of Women Voters.

Back issues of Body Positive magazine available in English from October 1996 to the present, in Spanish (SIDAahora) from October 2001 to the present.

Bus maps for all five boroughs of New York City

CancerCare is a national non-profit organization that provides free professional help to people with all cancers through counseling, education, information and referral, and direct financial assistance. Website is also available in Spanish.

The Center Against Domestic Violence operates shelters to house and feed women and children who are homeless because of domestic violence. In addition, they provide supportive services, including counseling and children's programs, to battered women and children. A 24-hour hotline is available at 718-439-1000.

Current cumulative Checklist of Official Publications of the State of New York. Also has monthly checklists from 1997-present, as well as annual cumulative editions from mid-1989 through 2003.

Compiled by the NYPL Office of Community Outreach Services, this list includes both NYPL and web resources. Topics include: reasons to become a US citizen, the citizenship application process, questions and quizzes that may be asked during the citizenship exam, associations and non-profit immigrant organizations, frequently asked questions, and links to more information about English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes and adult literacy classes.

The Coalition for the Homeless Resource Guide provides comprehensive information about more than 2,000 services for homeless and low-income New Yorkersfrom shelter to housing, from soup kitchens to job training programs.

Designed to relay information about missing or abducted children via the Internet, Code Amber complements the Amber Alert system in use in many states. Current and previous Amber Alerts are listed.

A guide to reentry resources in Ulster County published by the Restorative Justice Group of the Social Action Committee Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills.

There is a Community Gazette for each of New York's 51 City Council districts. They are put together by concerned neighbors, posting ideas about their community, alerting residents of forthcoming events, and reporting problems in the neighborhood such as potholes and broken traffic lights. The gazettes also feature repostings of major news stories about the area from the commercial press and announcements from local officials.

This guide published by the New York City Department of Homeless Services includes information about various City and community-based services. Agencies and organizations that offer assistance or referrals for food, clothing, childcare, healthcare, education, employment, and obtaining public benefits like Medicare and food stamps are listed.

Spanish language version of Funding Your Education, a guide to financial aid provided by the federal government. Includes costs of education, eligibility requirements for application for financial aid, deadlines, and information on other college-based financial assistance programs.

Offers non-credit computer classes for beginners and experienced users who need synthetic speech, large print, and braille adaptive technology.

The New York Public Library's guide for formerly incarcerated people to information and services in New York City. Includes chapters on employment, education, housing, benefits, health, counseling & family services, addiction and legal services. Updated annually.

Publications from the New York State Consumer Protection Board. Titles include: Consumer Tips for Online Shopping, A Consumer Guide to Purchasing Life Insurance, Choosing and Using Credit Cards, A Consumer Guide to Preventing Identity Theft. Some available in Spanish and Chinese.

The Day Care Council provides information on center-based child care, infant/toddler programs, after-school and Head Start programs, and summer camps. In addition they provide early childhood training and workshops, information on child care regulations and licensing, and technical assistance for child care providers. Information about child care subsidies and vouchers as well as nanny services is also available. Call 212-206-7818 for more information (Spanish assistance available).

From the New York State Dept. of Motor Vehicles, a listing of Accident Prevention (defensive driving) Course Providers for the Point and Insurance Reduction Program.

Listing of services provided to those affected by the September 11th attacks. All listed agencies have received funding from the American Red Cross.

Outlines the proper and improper ways of dialoging with people who have a variety of disabilities. Includes organization list and their websites, publications list, and types of signage.

A comprehensive online resource specifically designed to provide people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers, and other community members with access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including civil rights, education, employment, housing, health, income support, technology, transportation, and community life.

Download the entire Domestic Violence Handbook (published by the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence) or link directly to whatever section within the handbook interests you most. Topics include: program lists by county, what the police can do for you, what to expect in court, and getting help from the Dept. of Social Services.

Information about a variety of tests, including SAT, CLEP, GRE, and GMAT

Non-profit group offering legal clinics, tenant workshops, housing advocacy programs. Special services include emergency legal assistance for families with children facing eviction and an elder advocacy legal aid program.

General and specific requirements for becoming a naturalized US citizen. Includes sections on naturalization requirements and knowledge of English language, US history, and government (with a self-test).

Links to emergency and disaster preparedness resources.

A non-profit social service organization, dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with epilepsy and their families. Program services are available to residents of New York City and Westchester County.

Apply for federal financial aid online

Information and services for caregivers of those with chronic, disabling health conditions.

Information about identity theft from the Federal Trade Commission. Includes what to do if you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft.

Information and services from the US government in Spanish.

Information about home electrical service from Con Edison including energy and special services, rates and billing, products and programs, and safety tips. Site is available in English and Spanish.

The following organizations and attorneys provide free legal services and/or referrals for such services to indigent individuals in immigration removal proceedings, pursuant to 8 CFR ?3.61. Some of these organizations may also charge a nominal fee for legal services to certain low income individuals.

Links to lists of food pantries in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Additional information about food and nutrition programs, as well as free breakfasts for children.

Guide to financial aid provided by the federal government. Includes costs of education, eligibility requirements for application for financial aid, deadlines, and information on other college-based financial assistance programs.