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NYAIL News 2024
Advocacy Updates, Mental Health Election Resources, Housing Program News, Webinar Series, Center Spotlights, and Join the NYAIL Team
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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. | |
What does it mean to be able to vote for the first time independently? Read this column written by Doug Usiak from Western NY Independent Living (WNYIL) on his voting experiences prior to the Help America Vote Act and the feeling of casting a ballot for the first time without needing help. We have made progress on accessible voting for people with disabilities. There is still plenty of work we need to do to ensure everyone can vote independently, privately, and securely. |  | |
Voting Information
Proposition 1 - Educational Resources
Proposition 1 is a ballot measure on the back of the ballot this year that will amend section 11 of article 1 of the New York State Constitution to include more protected groups of people from discrimination. You can read the specific amendment language on the State Board of Elections website. How would this impact people with disabilities?
The amendment specifically includes disability as a protected class. There are other laws that already protect people with disabilities from discrimination both federally and in New York. Some times those laws are changed or interpreted differently by courts. Adding disability to the state constitution is likely to enhance protections. Disability Rights New York participated in a panel organized by the League of Women Voters on this subject and explains the topic in more detail, available on YouTube.
Early Voting in New York Started on October 26th and ends on November 3. Your early voting location might be different from your polling place on election day. You can look up information from your county Board of Elections here..
Additional Resources:
Mental Health Election Information
Let’s face it – the 2024 election is historic. Chances are you, or someone you know, is feeling anxious and stressed. Thankfully the American Psychological Association has some great resources for coping with election stress.
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Housing Program News
NYAIL was awarded the combined Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) and Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTH) grant, which begins November 1st, 2024. NYAIL administers these statewide grants in collaboration with its member Independent Living Centers who staff Housing Specialist and Independent Living Specialists across the State to provide outreach and assist eligible individuals with OHS/RTH enrollment, unit selection, and service planning. As part of the new grant, additional staff will be added across the state and individualized service plans will be a core service provided through both programs. Stay tuned for more information from NYAIL and our ILC partners once the new grant is up and running. For more information, contact: HousingReferral@ILNY.org
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As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month we held a webinar on the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program. What resources are available to job seekers with disabilities? Visit our Training and Education page to watch the recording and view the slides. There, you can also register for our November 13th webinar about the ARISE Adapted Design Program – making devices for people’s specific needs with low-cost materials. | Sponsor our 2025 webinar series! | For every webinar we provide American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, along with real-time captioning. You can sponsor either one or more webinars per month for $500, or an annual sponsorship for $5,000. Your organization’s logo will be placed within the webinar, on social media, and on our NYAIL website. You can find out more information about the sponsorship packages on our Training and Education page. If you have questions or would like to be a sponsor for the webinar series please contact Blaise Bryant. | |
CENTER FOR INDPENDENCE OF THE DISABLED, NY Wednesday, November 13, 2:00 p.m. | |
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Join the largest dementia prevention study. Help future generations understand if taking a statin can help adults 75 and older live well for longer by preventing dementia, disability, or heart disease.
Why should I join the PREVENTABLE Study? By joining the PREVENTABLE Study, you can help determine if a commonly used heart medication that helps lower cholesterol, called a statin, could help prevent dementia in adults age 75 and over. You can contribute to your community and the health of future generations by participating in clinical research.
By taking part in PREVENTABLE, you may be able to make a difference in dementia prevention research and help shape the future of health care for older adults. Join today to be part of something bigger!
Register here: https://forms.gle/BpfMFJe5j9DXF9bX6
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LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
November 4th 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. | |
HOLIDAY SHOPPING ON A BUDGET
Holiday shopping can be an enjoyable experience, but it can sometimes be unpleasant, even exasperating, particularly if one is low-income. This workshop aims to help you make your Holiday Shopping a pleasant experience.
For more information: https://licilinc.org/calendar/?month=11&yr=2024
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RESOURCE CENTER FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVING, INC.
November 7th, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | November 9th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. | |
You’re invited on November 9th! Please help RCAL spread the word about this free event! Members of the community are invited to attend and meet vendors with expertise and resources to share. Come learn about the resources available to you and your family. Click here to view the workshop schedule and RSVP today! | |
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SOUTHERN TIER INDEPENDENCE CENTER
November 2, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Join STIC for their 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Fair! This premier fall event will feature crafts, art, jewelry, baked goods, seasonal gifts, handmade items and more! There will also be food and refreshments at family-friendly prices, a 50/50 and basket raffles. Get your holiday shopping done early and help support people with disabilities! Learn more here.
Would you like to be a vendor at our 3rd Annual Craft Fair? Click on this link to register today. Spots are filling up quickly!
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WESCHESTER INDEPENDENT LIVING CENER
November 19th from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | November 20th from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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FREE event, open to ALL! On November 19th, explore resources for education, recreation, training & employment, advocacy and more. Representatives from a variety of agencies will offer more information. Break-out sessions will provide detailed information on a number of different topics.
Register as a Vendor, click HERE or Register as an attendee, click HERE
For more information contact Jessica Baumann at jbaumann@putnamils.org or (845) 228-7457. More Information is here: https://www.wilc.org/event/resource-transition-fair/
Webinar: Positive Behavior Strategies for Neurodivergent Children
On November 20th, attend a free webinar on Positive Behavior Strategies for Neurodivergent Children. More Information is here: https://www.wilc.org/event/positive-behavior-strategies-for-neurodivergent-children/
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Do you have an event to promote in our newsletter? Please send to our Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant. | |
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As you read earlier NYAIL’s housing programs are growing. We are looking for the following positions:
- Statewide Housing Specialist Liaison
- Statewide Support Services Coordinator
We are also looking for a full-time Office Manager to assist our admin team. Check out our Careers Page to learn more and apply!
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Share this NYAIL Newsletter using the buttons below. | |
Lindsay Miller
Executive Director
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Alex Thompson
Director of Advocacy
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Blaise Bryant
Communications Specialist
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New York Association on Independent Living
155 Washington Ave., Suite 208
Albany, NY 12210
Phone 518.465.4650 Fax 518.465.4625
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