NYAIL Newsletter

NYAIL News Issue 3:

An Advocacy Update, COVID Vaccination at an ILC, and Smoking Cessation.

Advocacy Updates

Budget season is coming to a close this week. Advocacy campaigns touched on issues important to independent living. Here's a quick recap:

#FairPay4HomeCare: increases wages for all New York home care workers.

#ScrapTheCap: eliminates the limit on Medicaid spending.

#NYLiveAtHome: supporting people living at home, not in institutions.

Caring Majority Fair Pay for Home Care Rally Outside the Governor's Mansion in Albany, NY

Above: Video of the Caring Majority's rally outside the Governor's Mansion.

Click here to see the 2021 Disability Priority Agendas

Living at Home, Not in a Home in the News

"...many New Yorkers already benefit from other, smarter options that keep people at home, able to see their families and live fulfilling lives. And many thousands more could benefit, if the state redirected its focus and spent its money more wisely."

From "Living at home, not in a home: More nursing home residents can live independently if state redirects funds." in the March 25th issue of the New York Daily News by Gabriela Amari, peer supervisor for the Open Doors program at the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled.

"...state officials would be wise to consider a multipronged strategy that makes independent living a valid — and even welcome — option."

From "Put spotlight on home care" by Newsday Editorial Board on March 28th.

ILC Spotlight

Highlighting the important work of New York's ILCs.

The Butt Stops Here at the

Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley

As you may be aware, smoking rates in New York for people with disabilities are twice the rate of people without disabilities.

ILCHV offers "The Butt Stop Here" program with local community partners to address this staggering statistic. The program is based on evidence that shows the best way to quit smoking is with nicotine replacement therapy and support.

This program has helped to eliminate other barriers for people by being available remotely, remaining free of charge, and accommodating people so they can participate. Participants can join from home or at the workplace using their phone. When participants need accommodations, ILCHV will work with them to accommodate those needs. Jennifer at ILCHV runs the program and works directly in helping people with disabilities achieve success with smoking cessation.

Interested participants pre-register for classes at sphp.com/quitsmoking

Questions about the program can be emailed to buttstopshereny@gmail.com

COVID Vaccinations at the Center for Disability Rights

The Center for Disability Rights hosted their 3rd COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday. The vaccination site is at the ILC's Rochester location and run with the Monroe County Department of Health and AcuteKids Pediatric Urgent Care.

The ILC location in the city of Rochester serves as a vital vaccination site and has served many that found the site more convenient than the larger suburban state-run site, including many BIPOC.

A picture from inside CDR. Three people standing together waiting. On the other side of the room a person is administering a COVID vaccine to a person seated in a chair.

Read the full press release on CDR's website.

The New York Association on Independent Living administers several statewide and regional programs in collaboration with its member ILCs, all of which are focused on helping people with disabilities live independently in the community.

Learn more about NYAIL programs by visiting: ilny.us/programs