Public Advocate's Corner

Terror in Mumbai

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, "Yesterday's attacks on innocent
civilians in Mumbai are a tragic reminder that extremist networks
continue to terrorize around the world. My thoughts and prayers are
with the victims and families of these hateful and violent acts, and
with the people of India."

The Rising Cost of Receiving Life Support From Ambulances

Fire Commissioner Scoppetta testified earlier this week and described many of the cuts his department will make in the face of the economic downturn. While I understand the tight spot this city and his department are in, one of these cuts is  particularly hard on New Yorkers.

After adjusting these rates 2 years ago, the Fire Department will again be increasing the amount it bills for EMS ambulance service. As reported in today's New York Post citing the Commissioner’s testimony, the costs are as follows:

• Basic Life support rises from $475 to 515;

• Advanced Life Support Level 1 from $600 to 750 (a 25% increase!); and

• Advanced Life Support for the most critical cases, Level 2, from $700 to $850.

 This is yet another example of the egregious and unjust demands that the city is making on the most vulnerable New Yorkers. In the time of greatest need, when one’s life may hang in the balance, New Yorkers shouldn't be asked to pay even greater fees, especially for those who already have high medical bills or may be un-insured.

Betsy Releases Results from Survey of HRA Job Centers

Betsy released a survey finding that New Yorkers visiting the Human Resources Administration (HRA) Job  Centers are facing unnecessary barriers to accessing public benefits. If you would like to read the release, it's here.

City Should Revise Plan to Reduce Shelter Options for Homeless New Yorkers

Yesterday, Public Advocate Gotbaum joined The Coalition for the Homeless to call on the Administration to reconsider its plan to restructure and downsize the city's network of drop-in centers and faith-based shelter beds. Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "I commend the Coalition for the Homeless for their tireless work on behalf of countless New Yorkers. These are very tough times for our city and essential drop-in centers and shelter beds must be available to all New Yorkers in need. An economic crisis is the worst possible time to make changes that could leave hundreds more New Yorkers on the streets each night.” 

New York City Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Banquet

Commissioner Ray Kelly, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and Former Mayor David Dinkins gather to help serve food at the New York City Rescue Mission annual Thanksgiving Banquet.

Accessing City Services: Access-A-Ride

The city Access-A-Ride program makes New York accessible to everyone, providing shared door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities -- those unable to use public bus or subway service for at least part of their trip. Access-a-Ride operates 24/7 throughout the five boroughs. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit administers Access-A-Ride and contracts with private carriers to provide service.  

Here is a list of designated pickup/drop-off locations in the five boroughs.

Do you need an Access-A-Ride? Applicants must visit an assessment center in their home borough for a face-to-face interview with a health care professional. Eligibility is decided within 21 days afterward. Those denied eligibility may appeal within 60 days. Those found eligible must re-apply every five years.

The one-way cost of an Access-a-Ride is the same as the full fare on regular mass transit. Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) ride free when they accompany Access-A-Ride customers whose IDs indicate they travel with a PCA. Registered passengers must have exact change. Drivers are not required to transport passengers who do not pay the fare.

More information:
     --Drivers may assist you to and from the vehicle so long as the vehicle remains in sight within 100 feet. Drivers will not enter buildings.
     --On the day of your trip, be prepared to wait as much as half an hour after your scheduled pickup time.
     --You may bring one guest, but your guest must travel to the same destination as you, and the guest must pay a fare.
     --You also may find the brochure "Access New York" helpful. It was prepared by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

Improving Immigrants’ Access to Services

Following yesterday's release of the Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants, today's guest post comes from Chung-Wa Hong, Executive Director, New York Immigrant Coalition.

We as a city need to do more to open up government services to immigrant New Yorkers, and eliminate the barriers that prevent people from getting the help they need. 

Far too many immigrants don’t avail themselves of important government services and programs, even though they may be eligible for them, because of lack of information, language barriers, or other obstacles. 

So we were really excited to partner with the Public Advocate’s Office to produce the Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants.   

This free guide is available in six languages, and can be viewed and printed here. It’s a great tool that will help get the word out about the various public benefits programs out there, and help people understand the often-complex rules of eligibility. 

The guide comes at a crucial time when many families could really use the help.  There appears to be great demand for this kind of information: community and social service groups have already been putting in their orders for thousands of copies! 

We hope this guide, together with smart city policies, will help eliminate barriers to city services for all New Yorkers.  

Speaking of city policies, earlier this year, we and our partners worked with the Bloomberg administration to develop a new citywide language access policy—Executive Order 120. 

The executive order will improve translation and interpretation capacity at every city agency, and help bridge the communication gap between city government and the 1.8 million New Yorkers who are still in the process of learning English. 

To find out more about the new executive order, please visit www.thenyic.org. 

Betsy Speaks to Investment Group at the Union League Club

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum speaks to a investment group this afternoon about the future of our city's economy, the 2009 budget and her work as a Trustee for the New York City Employees' Retirement System.

Spotted: Betsy with Borough President Markowitz and Councilmembers

Today, Betsy Gotbaum, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Councilman David Yassky, Councilman Robert Jackson and advocates spoke out against the DOE's plan to redraw school bus routes again.

Betsy commented, "This is the third time in two years the DOE is cutting bus routes. This latest round will reportedly save the DOE $7 million. And yet the Accountability Initiative, a project on which the DOE will spend $352 million by the end of this year, seems to be getting a pass."

Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants

Public Advocate Gotbaum and New York Immigration Coalition were joined by Community Service Society and United Neighborhood Houses today as they released a groundbreaking Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants.

Click here to read the press release

Click here to access the Immigrant Guide in 6 languages