What Is AHRC New York City and Who Does It Serve?

Updated

AHRC New York City is a family-governed nonprofit that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to lead full and equitable lives. It serves people with I/DD and the families who care for them across New York City, offering services that span family support, community participation, in-home care, employment, and education. If you are a person with a developmental disability, a family member, or a professional making a referral, the organization's stated entry point for services is a phone call to 212-780-4491 or its request services page.

Who the organization serves

The site describes AHRC NYC's mission as expanding access and opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its service pages are organized around four groups:

  • Families — parents and relatives caring for a loved one with a developmental disability, including siblings and guardians.
  • People in the community — individuals supported to engage in community life and become valued members.
  • People at home — children and adults receiving in-home support.
  • People seeking work or education — job seekers with disabilities and students from ages 3 to 22, plus college-age students in an inclusive higher education program.

What services it provides

The site groups its offerings into five areas. The table below summarizes what each covers, using the organization's own descriptions.

Service area What it includes
Services for families Respite, workshops, advocacy, sibling services, and guardianship guidance
Services in the community Day services, camping and recreation, clinical supports, and fiscal intermediary services for people who self-direct their services
Services at home Individualized services, community habilitation, children's services, respite, and residences
Employment Preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining meaningful work
Education Schools for students ages 3 to 22 and inclusive college programs in New York City

Two related ventures are also listed: AHRC NYC's businesses, described as delivering dependable, cost-effective services while creating employment for people with disabilities, and the ArTech Collective, which offers artists inclusive, accessible opportunities for creative expression.

How to request services or get involved

The site gives a direct path for anyone seeking support: call 212-780-4491 or visit the request services page. It states this route is for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and professionals wishing to make a referral.

For those who want to support the organization rather than receive services, the site lists several options: donating, volunteering, becoming a member, employing people with disabilities, or sharing its news on social media. It also publishes an annual report (marking its 75th anniversary) and runs a family education series; one listed example is a workshop on eligibility and entitlements, with registration handled through the site.

What to keep in mind

  • Eligibility specifics are not detailed on the homepage. The site references an "Overview of Eligibility and Entitlements" workshop, so if eligibility for a particular program matters to your situation, confirm it directly when you call rather than assuming.
  • Service availability and any costs are not stated on the pages summarized here. Ask about both during intake.
  • The organization is family-governed, which shapes its advocacy orientation — the site frames its work around a "socially just world where the power of difference is embraced, valued and celebrated."

If your goal is simply to understand the organization, the short answer is: a New York City nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, with services from respite and residences to employment and schooling. If your goal is to access those services, start with the phone number above.