Independence Care System (ICS), a recognized leader in disability-expert care and the first and only Health Home program in New York State with specialized expertise in supporting people with physical disabilities, is expanding its coverage area to serve residents of Richmond County, Staten Island.

For more than 20 years, ICS has served adults with physical disabilities, ensuring they receive critical services and equipment to enhance their health, mobility and independence. The first phase of ICS’ expansion focuses on Richmond County — an area where adults with physical disabilities have long expressed great interest in accessing ICS’ services.

The expansion will kick off with a Pop-Up Wheelchair Maintenance Workshop on Monday, May 22 from 1:30-3:00pm in partnership with The Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SICIL) — a not-for-profit agency providing services to individuals of all ages and levels of disability. The workshop, to take place at SICIL, is geared toward educating wheelchair users on how to keep their power and manual chairs in prime condition.

Participants will learn tips to maintain their power and manual wheelchairs and have access to fully equipped repair stations, including cleaning supplies and tools.

Space is limited. To RSVP, contact Jennifer Jensen at 718.720.9016 or JJensen@siciliving.org. The Staten Island Center for Independent Living is located at 470 Castleton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301.

To learn more about the ICS Health Home, email CommunityEngagement@icsny.org, call 646.653.6230 or visit www.icsny.org.

“We are thrilled to serve the Staten Island community, and excited to partner with SICIL on this Wheelchair Maintenance Workshop,” said ICS President and CEO Regina Martinez-Estela. “People with disabilities, who are a vulnerable and underserved population in New York City, are often faced with navigating a complex health care delivery system without adequate support. We are moving forward in bringing our specialized expertise to a wider community to support those who need it most.”

“With many Richmond County residents lacking important equipment and services, the expansion of ICS to Staten Island will ensure people with disabilities have additional access to quality supports and services,” said SICIL Executive Director Michelle Sabatino. “We look forward to collaborating with ICS to ensure residents are supported and can live their best lives.”

About Independence Care System (ICS)

ICS is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 as a pioneering, innovative community of professionals dedicated to serving people who, prior to ICS, were often forced to spend their lives in institutions.

People with disabilities have turned to ICS for more than 20 years because of our expert, disability-competent staff who help them to improve their health and avoid hospitalizations, achieve goals, improve their quality of life, and be active members in the community. Our foundational pillars — health, mobility and independence — ensure for true health equity for people with disabilities so they can thrive while receiving the quality care they deserve. 

We have developed a model of care designed to address the vast health disparities experienced by our members and those in underserved communities. We continue to work alongside our members and advocate for their specialized care, because we have seen the effects of a healthcare system that fails to address their needs. ICS offers disability-expert care coordination, educational and recreational programming that enriches members’ lives, and is a premier provider of specialized mobility assessments for wheelchair users through our comprehensive On a Roll wheelchair program.