Staten Island NY – Today, Care Design NY held a pop-up vaccine clinic exclusively for people in the I/DD community in an effort to remove barriers to vaccine access for individuals with I/DD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Staten Island popup was one of many events Care Design NY is holding in an effort to serve the I/DD community as New York works to vaccinate its most vulnerable populations. The pop-up comes on the heels of threatening budget cuts to CCOs statewide that would leave programs like Care Design NY without the funding to continue. 

 

“Our focus is on the community. As some of New York’s most vulnerable continue to become sick from COVID-19, Care Design NY’s mission is to care for and vaccinate as many in the I/DD community as possible. This is just one way we are working with our community partners to ensure that people with disabilities don’t get left behind by hosting specialized clinics like this one today on Staten Island,” said James Moran, CEO, Care Design NY.

“The Care Design NY vaccination clinic is bringing a great service to persons with developmental disabilities. I commend Care Design NY and its partners for choosing Staten Island to host a pop-up vaccination distribution day. Vaccine appointments have been difficult to secure. That difficulty is amplified within the I/DD community. This event will positively impact persons with special needs who are seeking a vaccination who perhaps are unable or uncomfortable getting a vaccination at one of the large vaccine hubs. I am thankful to the wonderful people at Care Design NY,” said Senator Andrew Lanza.

“I would like to start off by thanking, Care Design NY and On Your Mark for hosting this event to assure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are able to register and receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Through the concerted efforts from organizations like Care Design, On Your Mark and SIDDC, we are getting vaccines in arms of some of our most vulnerable. As we move into the 2021-22 budget cycle, I along with my Assembly colleagues have produced an Assembly Resolution addressing drastic cuts facing state agencies that assist families who have family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We plan to make sure these restorations and increased allocations are placed in the final enacted budget, due April 1, 2021. 

Once again, a special thank you to the people who advocate daily for their efforts in protecting people with disabilities. Their efforts are noted and promulgates further action to bring quality of life standards to people with disabilities,” said Assemblymember Charles Fall.

"We are hitting a point when most unvaccinated vulnerable individuals are those with special needs or an inability to access a vaccine service, this addresses that and is a critical step towards protecting the vulnerable," said City Councilmember Joseph Borelli.

Photos from the event can be viewed below.