NYAIL News 2023

Last Chance to Register for the NYAIL Statewide Conference, Center Spotlight, Webinar Series, and New NYAIL Staff

The 2023 NYAIL Statewide Conference is just eleven days away. This year’s theme “Our Path Forward” embodies the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility shaping the future of the Independent Living Movement. If you have already registered we are looking forward to seeing you! If you have not and you would like to attend please register as soon as possible. Our conference website has everything you need, including registration info, full program, David Veatch Advocacy Award, Whova conference app, and much more! As of this newsletter we have 18 exhibitors and sponsors. NYAIL is looking for a food sponsor. Read more about our packages on the conference homepage. If you have questions please contact our Event Coordinator Nicole Mastroianni or call the NYAIL office: (518) 465-4650.

The Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL) held their first Disabilities Awareness Parade on August 5 in downtown Kingston. NYAIL staff and members marched with RCAL behind a New York Association on Independent Living parade banner, along with several other local partner organizations and supporters, as well as some motorcycles and horses! The parade ended with a celebration with guest speakers, Italian ices, face painting and other activities for the community. We look forward to seeing this event grow in future years!

Webinar Series

On August 10 Laura Marks, Staff Attorney with Disability Rights NY presented an overview and updates to restraint and seclusion. There were 47 registered attendees. Participants learned more about the issue, along with the Keeping NY Students Safe Act which was introduced limiting restraint and banning seclusion. The bill also mandates schools report incidents of restraint to the NYS Education Department. We will share the recording as soon as possible. Because of our conference this month we will hold our next webinar in October about the changes made to the Medicaid Buy-in Program for Working People with Disabilities. Keep an eye on your inbox for the announcement after our conference.