NYAIL News 2023, Issue 7

NYAIL Conference, New NYAIL Program, ILC Events, Advocacy Updates, Webinar Series, and Center Spotlights

Can you believe it? The 2023 NYAIL conference is about two months away! This year’s theme “Our Path Forward” focuses on shaping the future of the Independent Living Movement.

Join over 250 Disability Rights advocates from throughout NY paving the road for a more accessible, inclusive future for all!

Check out our new redesigned sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities and consider supporting the conference.

Look out for the early bird registration opening on July 10th.

Open Doors is now able to provide $400 food cards to people who are transitioning to the community and experiencing food insecurity. We have long struggled with ensuring people leaving nursing homes and coming back to a new home have the food they need. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) expedited application process can take up to a week. Food banks are a good resource but are limited to donations. Many people leaving nursing homes have specialized diets, including low sodium, low sugar and soft foods that are not likely to be available at a food bank. Open Doors participants can choose the grocery store where they like to shop. The Transition Specialist can help them learn to do online ordering before leaving the nursing home or they can use the card in the store when they get home. Either way, they can get the foods they like including fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. The feedback from participants has been very positive. After years of eating only what is offered by their nursing home participants are thrilled to pick the foods they enjoy. 

Open Doors can provide cell phones to individuals in nursing homes who are having trouble contacting their transition specialists, community providers, and family/friends to plan to transition out of the nursing home to the community. Individuals can choose an Apple, Android, or flip phone based on their comfort level with technology. Each phone comes with a 1-year service contract. After the year, the individual can keep the phone and purchase additional service if they wish. Being an active participant in your transition plan means being able to easily communicate with every member of your team. The phone also allows participants to use email and the internet to search for services and housing. Communication is key to creating a successful person-centered plan.

The Open Doors program assists individuals in nursing homes return to the community. Only people transitioning with the assistance of Open Doors are eligible for these food cards and cell phones. If you have questions or would like to refer someone to Open Doors, food cards or phones please call 844-545-7108. 

NYAIL members participated in the Empire State Society of Professional Executives (ESSAE) Annual Conference and Trade Show on June 8th held at the Albany Capital Center. This event provided a platform for associations, meeting professionals, and exhibitors from across New York State to connect, collaborate, engage, and learn from one another. The focus was on fostering networking opportunities, encouraging collaboration, promoting engagement, and delivering educational experiences.

Members of NYAIL attended the Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL)’s Open House BBQ on June 14^th. Attendees learned about the programs RCAL offers, along with meeting and networking with new people. There was a raffle, music, dancing, and fun all around!

On June 19^th, we celebrate Juneteenth at NYAIL! Juneteenth, or Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday celebrated annually in the United States on June 19. The holiday is important because it commemorates the ending of slavery in the US and functions as a large-scale celebration of Black history and culture. June 19, 1865, marked the arrival of Gordon Granger, a Union general, in Galveston, Texas, where he announced the end of slavery and the Civil War, the latter of which had ended on April 9, 1865.

On June 22^nd, NYAIL members attended Southern Tier Independence Center’s (STIC) 40th anniversary! STIC is a community-based advocacy and service organization for children and adults with all types of disabilities. The Executive Director, Maria Dibble, announced that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Maria is a fierce advocate for accessibility and independent living. Not only has Maria brought about change both locally and globally, she has also inspired and mentored several disability rights events, campaigns, projects, etc. This work for change has inspired others to do the same. At the event, words were shared by various members on how much Maria has done for this community and the legacy that she leaves. Afterward, everyone gathered outside to release biodegradable dove-shaped balloons into the sky in honor of freedom, independence, and peace.

NYAIL members attended the Aging Concerns Unite Us (ACUU) Conference at the Desmond Hotel in Albany on June 27^th and 28^th. Attendees learned about innovative programs, best practices, and policies to support healthy living for aging New Yorkers. Exhibitors provided aging services ranging from transportation, meals, in-home care, caregiver support, administrative resources, data management, billing and service verification software, and other essential support services. 

Happy Birthday ADA! Celebrate with ILCs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 33 on July 26. The legislation, signed on July 26, 1990, by the late President George H.W. Bush protects many areas of public accommodations and life for people with disabilities. Independent Living Centers (ILCs) throughout NY are holding ADA events throughout July and August. If you have questions or would like to register for any of the below ADA events, please contact the ILC directly and periodically check their website.

• ARISE (Syracuse) July 7 and 26. They will also be receiving a proclamation from the Oswego County Legislature on July 13.
• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) on July 19 from 2-4:00 p.m. at their Utica office: 131 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501.
• Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO): July 21.
•  Westchester Disabled on the Move Inc. (WDOMI): July 26, 1-3:00 p.m. at Crawford Park Pavilion, 122 North Ridge Street, Rye Brook, NY
• Access to Independence of Cortland County (ATI): July 26 1-4:00 p.m. at ATI: 26 N Main St., Cortland, NY 13045.
• Western NY Independent Living (WNYIL) and their satellite offices are hosting various ADA events on July 26.
• Center for Independence of the Disabled NY (CIDNY) on July 26 from 1-3:00 p.m. at their office: 1010 Avenue of Americas, Suite 301, New York, NY - Can't be there in-person? Contact CIDNY to register virtually.
•  Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC)'s Accessible Restaurant Award Ceremony on July 26 at 11:00 a.m. Putnam Independent Living Services, 1441 Route 22, Suite 204, Brewster, NY
• Independent Living, Inc. is hosting their ADA open house on July 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at their office: 5 Washington Terrace, Newburgh, NY
• Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL) in Kingston is hosting their first Disability Awareness Parade on August 5 from 9-2:00 p.m.

It's not too late! Is your organization hosting an ADA event not listed in the newsletter? Please send any event info to our Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant for sharing on our social media.

Updates from the NY Caring Majority

The NY Caring Majority is wondering: What changes to our home care system would be life changing for you or the people you work with?

Fill out the 5-minute NY Caring Majority survey

to help us build a long-term vision to end the home care crisis in NY. The NY Caring Majority has been leading the fight for Fair Pay for Home Care in NY and has no plans of stopping. Your feedback is vital as we create a multi-year plan with them to end the home care worker shortage, provide relief to family caregivers and keep people out of nursing homes.

On July 25 the NY Caring Majority is hosting a celebration and Visioning Session on July 25 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Albany Institute of History and Art located at 125 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.

This is a great opportunity to gather with fellow homecare advocates and shape the future of #FairPay4Homecare in NY. The Caring Majority is also working on a virtual option. Check out the event page for more info!

Webinar Series

Due to various scheduling conflicts, we were unable to host a webinar in June.

Good news – we have a very exciting webinar planned for July! The Governor's Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities consist of two specialized programs: the 55-b and the 55-c Program. These programs are coordinated efforts placing individuals with disabilities in entry-level state jobs. Section 55-b of the New York State Civil Service Law authorizes the New York State Civil Service Commission to designate up to 1,700 positions normally filled through competitive examination to be filled through the appointment of qualified persons with disabilities. Section 55-c authorizes the designation of up to 500 positions in the non-competitive class to be filled by qualified veterans with disabilities. In general, an entry-level position filled only through an open-competitive examination (one open to the public) may be used for a 55-b or 55-c appointment.

Nichole Harden, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist 2 with the NYS Department of Civil Service will present an overview of the 55 B/C Program, along with a recent expansion approved in this year’s state budget.

Date and time: Wednesday, July 12: 1:00-2:30 p.m.

ASL and CART will be provided.

Register for the webinar on July 12!

WDOMI LAUNCHES MY HOME, NOT NURSING HOME

Last March, the Westchester County Board of Legislators awarded Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc. (WDOMI) $35,000 to launch My Home Not Nursing Home. This program was proposed in 2022 to enhance our services for transition and diversion. The funding partially covers the competitive salary needed to recruit and retain staffing to improve and coordinate our much-needed holistic nursing home transition and diversion services, including housing advocacy and placements, benefits counseling, and legal assistance. Also funded is outreach and marketing campaign to promote getting out of nursing homes, surviving, and thriving in the community. Plus, qualified participants will receive an Echo Dot. The “Ask Alexa” smart speaker reduces isolation and connects to smart home devices. The impact of this program will be long-term because Community Based Organizations and partners of WDOMI will be part of the individualized life plans to assist the participants enhance their quality of life in the community and for many the goal will be to become active in the community and avoid duplicating the nursing home experience. There will be an emphasis on caregivers and isolation.