NYAIL Newsletter, July 2024

NYAIL News 2024

Advocacy Updates, Center Spotlights, and 2024 Webinar Series

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

The New York State legislative session ended in the early morning hours on Saturday, June 8^th. As usual there was a rush to pass legislation, along with last-minute negotiations to address funding for New York City that could impact the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) ability to comply with legal agreements connected to subway accessibility. The Governor announced right before the end of the legislative session her plan to stop the implementation of a congestion pricing plan and find other sources of funding for the MTA. The legislature and Governor were engaged in negotiations, but no agreement was reached. There were some rumors this might be a big enough issue to bring back legislators before January 2025 to vote on a new agreement.

Group of 100 advocates in front of I Love NY sign. The photo shows people holding signs reading Fund Access to Home , CDPA is Essential, and Support Independent Living Funding while some chanted with fists in the air!

This past legislative session progress was made on a longstanding bill to have New York waive its “sovereign immunity”. A.6541 (Kelles) and S.1164A (Sanders). This bill has been on NYAIL’s Legislative Disability Priority Agenda for well over a decade and repeatedly passes through the Assembly. The bill would apply several federal laws protecting employees, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to state workers. This is a greater priority as New York State and the Governor have repeatedly announced efforts to increase disability employment by the state. The bill this year passed through to the Senate Finance Committee before the end of the session. Next year could be the year it passes, but we need additional Senate sponsors to build more support for the bill. Advocates should keep asking state Senators to co-sponsor S.1164A. Note: next year there will be new bill numbers as the state begins a new two-year session from 2025-2026.

NYAIL also continued to advocate for legislation to increase support for independent living centers through a statutory cost-of-living-adjustment; support for Access to Home through a provider rate increase; fighting against the implementation of cuts to home care eligibility; advocating against harmful changes and cuts to the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program; and several other issues. While nonprofits are limited in advocacy activities, they can take on elections there are always opportunities to educate candidates and the public about why independent living centers and these other issues are crucial to the disability community.

Center Spotlight

In honor of Disability Pride Month several ILCs are hosting ADA events

Please click on the links for more event info!

Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL): 2nd Annual Disabilities Awareness Parade in partnership with Harambee will be on July 20th, 11:00 AM. We should all be visible! Show the world that you support everyone regardless of circumstance living independently in the community.

There is no charge for this event.

Flyer image with beige background and dark royal blue font colors. The text at the top reads, The Resource Center for Accessible Living's and Harambees Disabilities Awareness Parade. Centered on the flyer is a group of people with various visible disabilities dressed in the color theme of navy and off white carrying flags and marching with fist in the air. To the left it reads, Register to march at rcal.org/parade. Under the group it says, July 20, 2024 - Step off at 11 AM at the municipal lot across from Frank Guidos Little Italy (14 thomas st, Kindston, NY 12401) Ends at the People's Place and Keegan Ales. There will be a resource fair and activities until 2PM

Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) Tuesday, July 23, 12 PM - 3 PM. 1607 Genesee St. Utica, NY.

image of flyer with light teal background. Flyer says RCIL is celebrating the ADA and the achievements of individuals with disabilities Join Us! Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 12:00PM to 3:00PM at 1607 Genesee Street, Utica, NY. There will be door prizes and refreshments

Access to Independence of Cortland County (ATI) Friday, July 26, 1:00 - 4:00 PM. ADA Celebration Event at Suggett Park

Banner image with 2 images on the Two images on the left and right side of hands holding a heart with a handicap symbol at its center with a red, white, and blue butterfly above the heart. In between images it reads Save the Date, Friday, July 26th | 2024 ADA Celebration.

Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC): Friday, July 26, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM. Morningside Park W 122^nd Street BBQ Area 6

Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL): ADA Day, Friday, July 26, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Location: Aviation Mall. Join us for a fun-filled day celebrating the ADA! Enjoy music, food, refreshments, games, activities, information booths, and more!

Image of Sail Staff standing under a pop up tent with a gigantic green dinosaur on a bright sunny day

Self-Initiated Living Options (SILO): ADA Celebration. Friday, July 26, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM at the SILO office.

Image of SILO's ADA Celebration flyer with a summer theme with popsicles, sunshine , and cold refreshments. Includes all event details.

Western NY Independent Living (WNYIL): Disability Pride Festival

Friday, July 26, 2024, 2:00 - 6:00 PM Canalside

Image of rainbow colored circular icon made of different color person icons. To the left it reads Disability Pride Festival 2024

ARISE: Celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the ADA, July 26th at 11 AM at Syracuse City Hall (233 E. Washington St.). Check out the schedule of Oswego County ADA Celebrations below happening all month long!

Square image with Red, tan, and blue theme. Centered on the image it says ARISE Celebrate the American with Disabilities Act 34th Anniversary.

Independent Living, Inc.: 34^th Anniversary of the ADA. Saturday, July 27, 12PM - 4:00 PM Walkway over the Hudson, Newburgh.

Image background of the walkway over the Hudson, surrounded by the castskill mountains. Text on image reads Celebrating 34 Years of the American Disability Act

Do you have an event to promote in our newsletter? Please send to our Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant.

Webinar Series

Square image with white background and a graphic of legal scales in the center that reads "Olmstead v. L.C. (Lois Curtis)" in blue ink and "Since 1999 - 25 Years" in red ink

On June 25 NYAIL hosted The Olmstead at 25: Protecting and Strengthening Its Future. This panel discussion was moderated by our Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant. Joining him for the panel were Cliff Perez and Sim Goldman with the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV), along with the new Director of Olmstead for NYS Shelley Madore. Click here to watch the recording and subscribe to our YouTube channel!