NYAIL Newsletter, May 2024

NYAIL News 2024

Advocacy Updates, 2024 Webinar Series and Center Spotlights and Staffing Updates

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

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!

Click image above to view the 2024 Budget Advocacy photo album

On April 20, the New York State budget was passed. We have a few successes to report despite this year being difficult for independent living and our coalitions. We continue to engage with decision makers on the implementation of budget changes. Follow us on social media and sign-up for our action alerts for the latest updates. There is always more work to be done. The legislative session is not over until June 6th. Because the budget was passed almost three weeks late, we will need more voices of support to get bills passed before the end of this year’s shorter legislative session.

2024 Selected Legislative Priorities (See more of NYAIL’s priorities on our website)

A.8437/S.7793 adds ILCs to the human services cost of living adjustments.
A.4347/S.3434 prohibits the practice of paying people with disabilities below the minimum wage.
A.6541/S.1164-A waives the New York State’s immunity to claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504.
A.4165/S.4739 requires counties to expand paratransit beyond ADA minimums.
A.6346/S.328 repeals cuts to eligibility for community-based long-term supports and services in Medicaid advanced by the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) II.
A.8600/S.7863 increases the administration rate for the Access to Home program to 10%.

Group of advocates in the NYS Capital Building hands raised in the air, Nothing about us, Without us!

Budget Summary

Independent Living

The state budget allocates an additional $750,000 to the current IL network funding of $16 million.

Health/Medicaid

CDPA: The state budget specifies one statewide fiscal intermediary. While Independent Living Centers (ILCs) are included as subcontractors, we remain seriously concerned regarding the change to one fiscal intermediary and the significant disruptions it will cause. The budget does not include the elimination of Designated Representatives, wage parity cuts, and the requirement that consumers with less hours use licensed home care agencies. The budget language does open the doors for the state to set mandatory training requirements but does not include specifics.
ADL eligibility changes passed as part of MRT II: No changes. Implementation is still expected once federal COVID funds are fully spent, possibly as early as this summer.

Housing

Access To Home: Access to Home is funded at $4 million – this is an increase of $1 million!

Check out our statement on this year’s budget to learn more about our top priorities!

If you have questions about advocacy or our priorities, please reach out to our Director of Advocacy Alex Thompson.

Share Your Feedback

The New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) is seeking public comment on the 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living. Check out the draft plan and instructions for submitting comments on their website.

Image with text on the left that reads, Creating More Accessible Streetscapes for all | Survey for the disability community open now. Next to the text are 3 person icons; one with a walking stick, the next with a walker, and the last icon a person in a wheelchair. To the right of the icons are logos for Smart Growth America Improving lives by improving communities, DREDF Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, IPMI International Parking & Mobility Institute

Smart Growth America is looking for participants to complete a survey on accessible streetscape design for the disability community. This survey will support Smart Growth America, the International Parking & Mobility Institute, the Accessible Parking Coalition, the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, and additional partner organizations in the creation of an Accessible Streetscape Design Guide. This effort will cover best practices and serve as an initial conversation piece where entities such as NACTO and other transportation organizations, alongside USDOT and US Access Board, dive deeper into engineering and planning semantics.

Webinar Series

Image background color is a gradient of light blue/green to light lime green. Text reads Mental Health Awareness Month with MHANYS. Below heading in the center is a green and blue ribbon. To the left of the ribbon the text reads, Be a voice of Change. On the right of the ribbon the text reads| Take action, Spread awareness, Support Community

April was an extremely busy month with budget advocacy which is why we did not have a webinar. To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May we are holding a webinar with the Mental Health Association of NYS (MHANYS). As of May 1^st, when this newsletter is published logistics are being finalized. Stay tuned for more updates!

Center Spotlight

Our forty-one member ILCs hold fantastic events throughout the year. Here are some events coming up in May.

On Saturday May 11 Access to Independence of Cortland County is holding their Founder’s Day Tea Party at their office.

The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley is holding their 27^th annual Dessert Spectacular on Tuesday, May 14. NYAIL is receiving the Beacon Leadership Award for Advocacy.