Sharon Shapiro-Lacks

The Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. (BCID) is a non-profit, grass roots organization operated by a majority of people with disabilities for people with disabilities since 1956. BCID is dedicated to guaranteeing the civil rights of people with disabilities. They exist to improve the quality of life of Brooklyn residents with disabilities through programs that empower them to gain greater control of their lives and achieve full and equal integration into society. They accomplish this through their services, their advocacy for systems change to remove physical, attitudinal and communication barriers to people with disabilities, and through their education and awareness programs. Based on a self-help model, their primary services include: disability rights advocacy; peer support; resource information and referral; housing advocacy; independent living skills consultation; government benefits information and advocacy; youth services; as well as information on the civil rights and responsibilities of people with disabilities. Many of their staff members, board members and volunteers have disabilities themselves and, so, are viable role models for other people with disabilities. As a member of the National Council on Independent Living and the New York Association on Independent Living Centers (NYAIL), BCID is in a position to advocate on many levels for people with disabilities. Their position in the disability community combined with their programs and services designed to educate and empower people with disabilities, places BCID in a unique position to enable people with disabilities to achieve and affirm their independence.