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New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (New York NY) 4. Networking NYLPI works closely with disability advocates, disability rights organizations, attorneys and other public interest organizations at both the national and local levels. We also work closely with CQC and with personnel in acute care hospitals. NYLPI attorneys participate in list serves, and conference calls with experts from around the country to discuss issues arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for example, and to plan cooperative efforts for litigation and advocacy. A prime example of this is the IOC Watch, a coalition of advocates that are working to monitor the impact of the IOC law and to educate and advocate for people it affects. In addition, NYLPI works with the following groups: New York City Recipient's Coalition, INCube, Inc., Mental Hygiene Legal Services, the National Association of Rights, Protection and Advocacy, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the National Stigma Clearinghouse, Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Disabled in Action, Sinergia, Inc., MFY Legal Services, the Legal Aid Society, the Coalition of the Institutionalized Aged, Advocates for Children, the Center for Disability Advocacy Rights, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, the International Center for the Disabled, the Legal Action Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Law and Education, Inc., Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Federation for Children with Special Needs, the National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., the Medicare Beneficiaries Defense Fund, SEP, the Urban Justice Center, the Asian American Legal Defense & Educational Fund, the New York Civil liberties Union, and the local independent living centers. NYLPI has also prepared amicus curiae briefs in federal and state courts on significant disability issues on behalf of many of these organizations. NYLPI will continue to work with these groups in the upcoming year and, as always, NYLPI anticipates reaching out and collaborating with new organizations. NYLPI staff will also continue active participation in such professional organizations and task forces as the New York State Bar Association (Committee on Mental and Physical Disability), the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (including the Committee on Legal Issues Affecting People with Disabilities, the Civil Rights Committee, and the Education Committee), the Nursing Home Community Coalition of New York State, the Medicaid Managed Can Task force, and the Education Law Task force. NYLPI attorneys also participate in the monthly national ADA conference call coordinated by NAPAS. 5. Grievance Procedure NYLPI's grievance procedure is informal. The client may submit a grievance in writing to the Executive Director or General Counsel or call and give the complaint orally. The Executive Director or General Counsel investigates the matter, seeks to satisfy the client through mediation, and takes whatever other action may be desirable or necessary. The client is advised of any action taken or the reason for no action and of his or her further right to complain to NYLPI's Board of Directors and CQC. A written report to all grievances is provided within fifteen days. |
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