NYAIL Newsletter, August 2024

NYAIL News 2024

Advocacy Updates, NCIL Conference, Webinar Series, Good Neighbor News, and Center Spotlights

Thank you for taking the time to read the monthly newsletter from the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL). Do you have job postings, events, or suggestions to improve our newsletter? Send any information to NYAIL’s Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant.

Advocacy Updates

Independent Living Advocates Protest Governor’s Disability Pride Event

On July 29 Governor Kathy Hochul held a Disability Pride event at the Governor’s Mansion. Roughly 20 advocates protested the event because of her offensive and inaccurate comments about the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) being a “racket”. Advocates were both inside and outside the event, encouraging the Governor to meet with us to discuss returning the CDPAP back to its disability roots. A meeting still has not been scheduled. Check out this statement we sent to the media, along with a letter asking for a meeting. Thanks to all our partners who wore orange ribbons into the event in support. Nothing about us, without us!

Alt text: Image of a collage of 3 photos with an orange border of protestors dressed in orange t-shirts. Top left photo has the words OUR LIVES above the photo of two women, one standing and one in a wheelchair standing on either side of a life size image of Governor Hochul. The banner they are holding reads Gov. Hochul takes from the poor and disabled to give to rich corporations. Top right photo is of a black man standing holding a sign that says, I’m just trying to live. #protecthomecare and Caucasian woman in a wheelchair smiling. Above the photo is says, OUR PROGRAM. Bottom left photo is of a Caucasian woman in a wheelchair being interviewed on camera with two others standing by her side holding up signage. The words OUR FUTURE border the left of the image and the words, NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US is just below. Bottom right image is a graphic of an orange ribbon superimposed over a greyed-out NYS. Under the orange ribbon is says CDPAP is not a racket, it’s a way of life!

Legislative Updates

On July 25th, Governor Hochul signed three bills as part of the 34^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Included in the bill package was S.9699A / A.10457. This bill allows the Access to Home program to cover home repairs which impact livability, related to a home modification covered by the program, up to 60% of the project grant or loan. The bill also includes an increase to the administrative rate for Access to Home providers from 7.5% to 10%, a step toward our goal of parity with other home modification programs and making sure the program is widely available statewide. Read about the other bills in this press release from the Governor’s Office.

National Council on Independent Living Conference

Group of advocates outside of the NCIL conference holding up a sign that says National Council on Independent Living New York

NYAIL staff Alex Thompson, Blaise Bryant, and Lindsay Miller attended the conference from July 22-25. We were also thrilled to have other NY representation from the Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL), Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC), Access to Independence (ATI) of Cortland County, Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV), Western NY Independent Living (WNYIL), and the NYS Independent Living Council (NYSILC). The NY crew were just a few of the 600 marchers who braved the rain, marching to the Capitol. We are fighting for $500-million for the five core services for Independent Living, deinstitutionalization, and ending subminimum wage for people with disabilities on the federal level.

Image of Clif Perez holding his award standing to the left of NYAIL's executive director Lindsay Miller. Both with huge smiles

Additional highlights include:

Cliff Perez, Systems Advocate with ILCHV participated on a panel discussing the future of the ADA. He also received the Max Starkloff Lifetime Advocacy Achievement Award.

Larissa Martin who is a member of NYAIL’s Employment and Housing committees received two awards: the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Award for her work chairing this new NCIL committee, along with the Corey Rowley National Advocacy Award. Mary Lamica, Interim Executive Director at the Tri-Lakes Center for Independence, was awarded the Diana Viets Memorial Award for her hard work and dedication to the youth in the community. Congratulations to Cliff, Larissa and Mary for your well-deserved awards!

Webinar Series

On July NYAIL hosted a webinar with John Herrion: Director of Disability Rights with the NYS Division of Human Rights. John discussed where the ADA and NYS Human Rights Law are similar and where they differ. Because there were so many unanswered questions we will have John join us again later in the year. Visit our Training and Education page to view the slides and watch the recording. While you’re there be sure to register for our August webinar happening this coming Wednesday, August 14 from 1-3:00 p.m. Jessica Sorbello with the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) will be presenting on overdose prevention and harm reduction strategies. As always, ASL and CART will be provided.

Good Neighbor News

Exciting news, Our Good Neighbor Program has successfully integrated ElliQ, a robotic companion, into participant homes. This innovative device offers companionship, empathy, and socialization, significantly enhancing the quality of life for older residents. As highlighted by The New York Times, ElliQ can discuss complicated subjects, helping users feel less alone.

Our program director shares, "ElliQ has been integrated into participant homes with the support of the Good Neighbor Program, and relationships between the participant and the device continue to flourish. As these relationships grow, the integration also increases." How does ElliQ work? This YouTube video tells you everything you need to know in less than 20 minutes.