NYS ILC Community and System Advocacy Plans
Contract Period: October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007

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F. Citizenship Advocacy

Goal: At least one local government will start providing agendas in alternate formats at publicly attended meetings.

GOAL: FLIC will continue to work on improving accessible parking in Tompkins County.

E. Social Advocacy

GOAL: FLIC will work to increase integrated recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.

GOAL: FLIC will continue to work to increase equal access to the performing arts in Tompkins County, including access to temporary events such as festivals.

F. Citizenship Advocacy:

GOAL: Continue to make sure that polling places are truly accessible to all people with disabilities and that poll workers are trained in assisting people with disabilities.

GOAL: FLIC will work to ensure that political candidates and/or current political leaders will adopt policies that ensure that meetings and rallies are held in accessible locations.

15. JAMESTOWN

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Community and Systems Advocacy Plan

A. Education

A local school district will implement usage of a student guidebook, developed by independent living center staff, to prepare students with disabilities and their families for life after high school. Information will include services provided by the independent living center.

A local school district will make procedural changes to transition plans for students with disabilities to include developing information on PASS, VESID, Independent Living Advocacy, and linkages to other appropriate community based agencies and organizations.  

At least one school district will make a policy and procedures change to have IEPs include information on technology available for students with disabilities and possible sources of funding to purchase the equipment.

B. Employment Advocacy:

One employment placement agency will change its policies and procedures to provide disability sensitivity training for newly hired job coaches and developers.   

ILC staff will establish a written memorandum of understanding with VESID and/ or Department of Labor to conduct outreach and benefits advisement to consumers applying for VESID and/or DOL services.

Establish a written arrangement whereby the local One-Stop Center will offer an on-site advocacy program for persons with disabilities.

There will be a reallocation of employment related funding from sheltered to integrated employment programs at The Resource Center. 

C. Health Care Advocacy:

As a result of SILC’s establishment of a referral system with at least one hospital, that hospital will make a policy and procedural change that will facilitate a more efficient referral process for community services for patients with disabilities.

At least one community or governmental agency providing health care services to victims of crime, abuse, and domestic violence will improve its accessibility to people with disabilities.

At least one area Social Security Administration office will change the system for disseminating information concerning Medicare Part D Coverage to make the information more accessible.

There will be an increase in the number of physicians’ offices, clinics and hospitals that improve physical and communication access for persons with disabilities.        

D. Commerce Advocacy

There will be an increase in the number of ADA Title III entities that are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities in the center’s service area.

There will be an increase in the number of integrated accessible/adaptable housing units available to persons with disabilities.

At least one local restaurant will provide its menu in an alternative format for consumers and make it available on request.

At least one service station will agree to change policies and practices to comply with the law requiring them to assist drivers with disabilities to pump gas while charging the self-service price.

E. Social Advocacy:

There will be an increase in the number of integrated community social activities that become accessible.

There will be an increase in the number of recreation and fitness facilities and programs that are accessible to people with disabilities.

There will be an increase in the number of accessible municipal sponsored recreation opportunities and facilities.

The ILC will increase access for persons with disabilities in places of worship.

F. Citizen ship Advocacy:

At least one local government will start providing agendas in alternate formats at publicly attended meetings.

The Center will ensure that new voting machines purchased for use in Chautauqua County will be accessible to voters with disabilities.

In a written agreement with the Board of Elections, IL staff will provide on-site disability awareness and sensitivity training to polling site workers.

There will be an increase in the number of accessible polling sites.

Political candidates will adopt policies that ensure that meetings and rallies are held in accessible locations.

There will be an increase in the number of consumers/staff that serve on community and statewide boards/committees/task forces that previously have not had representation from the disability community.

16. KINGSTON

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I COMMUNITY AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY PLAN

A. Educational Advocacy

1. RCAL will establish a written agreement with one Ulster County Human Service organization to offer on-site Special Education Advocacy Training. This will be a regular part of its staff training for professionals who work with high risk children. (Target: Headstart)

B. Health Care Advocacy

1. RCAL will increase the accessibility of health care providers in Ulster County.

C. Commerce Advocacy

1. RCAL will increase the accessibility of businesses and for public facilities in Ulster County.
2. RCAL will establish a written arrangement with Rural Ulster Preservation Corporation to offer an on-site training on Universal Design Disability Awareness Track as a regular part of its curriculum for town and village planning and zoning boards across Ulster County.

D. Social Advocacy

1. RCAL will increase accessible recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities.

D. Citizenship Advocacy

1. RCAL will advocate and cause inaccessible polling sites within Ulster County to be made accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.

17. LONG ISLAND

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Systems Advocacy and Community Change

A. Education Advocacy

Sylvan Learning Center will produce an audio taped version of its brochure describing its programs and services.

Hofstra University’s School of Communication will adopt a LICIL-developed training module to be used as part of a required seminar designed to educate Communication Arts majors about techniques for effectively reporting on persons with disabilities and the issues that concern this population.

B. Employment Advocacy

A local business will produce an audio taped and/or CD-Rom version of its employee handbook.

C. Health Care Advocacy

The local chapter of the American Cancer Society will provide its brochure, "Breast Cancer: Questions & Answers" in audio taped format.

A local hospital will change its policies and procedures to have its staff training materials include a brochure developed by LICIL and entitled Healthcare with Dignity: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals Treating Patients with Disabilities that will address the quality of healthcare for persons with disabilities.

C. Commerce Advocacy

A local library will increase its holdings and develop a "Specialized Reference Group" targeting literature that addresses and explores disability issues, including its history and culture in meaningful detail.

A local bank will produce an audio taped version of its products and services brochure.

The Town of Hempstead will increase the number of curb cuts available throughout the municipality.

The Fair Media Council will establish standards for its member organizations regarding reporting on disability issues and marketing to consumers with disabilities.

D. Social Advocacy

A local library will establish a book discussion program that meets periodically designed to explore disability literature and its portrayal of and impact upon Disability Culture.

E. Citizenship Advocacy

LICIL will work to increase the number of accessible voting sites in Nassau County.

The Nassau County League of Women Voters will produce an audio and/or CD-Rom version of their publication entitled "They Represent You: A Directory of Public Officials."

18. MANHATTAN

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Ensuring Integration in the Community through Advocacy, Services and Consumer Involvement

The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York’s goal is to ensure full integration, independence and equal opportunity for all people with disabilities by removing barriers to the social, economic, cultural and civic life of the community. CIDNY education, services, advocacy and policy programs help ensure that equitable access to civic, educational, employment and social opportunities are available for people with disabilities to ensure community integration. Our activities are driven by the expressed needs of the community.

I. Community and Systems Change

New York State’s five year plan for community and systems change (2002-2007) provides the basis for CIDNY’s activities. CIDNY is committed to achieving an outcome in at least one goal in three of the six advocacy areas identified in the State Plan during fiscal year 2006-2007.

A. Education Advocacy

1. At least one secondary school in New York City will improve transition plan execution by establishing policy and mechanisms to regularly review and modify, as needed, the students’ IEP goals and regularly track the students’ progress versus their IEP goals.
2. New York State will adopt and fund a proposal to increase special education teacher recruitment and retention.

B. Employment Advocacy

1. VESID will pilot a Vocational Rehabilitation Readiness Training program with a peer-based curriculum.
2. As a result of 7th Sense technical advice and training to profit and non-profit organizations, policies, procedures and training programs will be implemented to increase the number of employees with disabilities in profit and non-profit firms and to improve the firms’ capacities to build a disability friendly workplace.
3. Federal Social Security reform legislation is enacted which will encourage work when possible and provide support when work is not possible. It will embody the following principles: (i) do no harm; (ii) maximize self-sufficiency at a reasonable standard of living; (iii) services should be based on individual choice.
4. New York State’s Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) will implement "supported employment" policies in TANF reauthorization by creating public/private partnerships for job readiness and job coaching.

C. Health Care Advocacy

1. CIDNY will ensure that State legislation is enacted which closes any gap in prescription drug access in Medicare Part D for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. (a) New York State’s pharmaceutical assistance program, EPIC, will modify its criteria to increase coverage to people with disabilities under the age of 65. (b) The New York State Legislature will enact, and the state Medicaid program will implement, legislation, which extends indefinitely state coverage of prescription drugs for dual eligibles. (c) State legislation will be enacted to limit the Part D prescription drug copays for dual eligible beneficiaries to $200 or less per year.
2. The New York State legislature will amend the New York State insurance law by enacting measures to prohibit the exclusion or limitation of benefits for mental illness and chemical dependency in health insurance plans.
3. The New York State Department of Health will make policy and procedural changes to ensure Medicaid health plan ADA compliance before moving SSI beneficiaries into mandatory Medicaid managed care.
4. A change in State interpretation of law and regulation will result in a change in policy and procedures regarding eligibility for long-term care for individuals with special needs trusts.
5. State legislation will be enacted that will reinstate public hearings held by the State Insurance Department for proposed rate increases for individuals who must purchase their own insurance, including Medigap coverage, when premium increases proposed exceed 10%.
6. New York State’s legislature will adopt, and the executive branch will implement, reforms to remove bureaucratic barriers to coverage in health care safety-net programs.
7. New York State’s Department of Health will make a policy and procedural change to come into compliance with its durable medical equipment prior approval process regulations and it will promulgate additional guidance and criteria related to prior approval.

D. Commerce Advocacy

1. The Department of Homeless Services will change its procedures to improve intake of people with disabilities and improve direction of individuals with disabilities to appropriate shelters and improve shelter discharge policies.
2. New York City Housing Authority will revise its procedures regarding marketing of upcoming accessible units to include notification of the housing registry.
3. The Department of Homeless Services and the New York City Housing Preservation and Development agency will change their procedures to ensure that people with disabilities residing in homeless shelters be given "homeless" priorities for newly constructed accessible apartments, instead of having them access housing through the lottery system.
4. The state and local legislatures will amend the DRIE law to establish income threshold parity with SCRIE.

E. Civic/Citizenship Advocacy

1. Through CIDNY’s advocacy efforts, there will be an increase in the number of accessible voting sites in New York City.
2. The NYC Board of Elections will incorporate materials on access for people with invisible disabilities either developed or endorsed by CIDNY into its poll site workers training curriculum and poll site surveying instruments.
3. The NYC Board of Elections will incorporate educational materials provided by CIDNY into its outreach strategy to voters as HAVA is implemented, ensuring that people with disabilities who want to vote at their polling sites understand the new process.
4. CIDNY will ensure that disaster preparation and disaster relief plans address the needs and concerns of people with disabilities.

19. MASSENA

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Community and Systems Advocacy Plan

Educational Advocacy:

1. The Massena Independent Living Center, Inc. will ensure that an Independent Living History & Philosophy awareness track either developed or endorsed by MILC is instituted as part of the academic curriculum at an educational institution in our area.
2. A local university will change its policies to ensure that students with disabilities at academic risk are better informed about the Accommodative Services office and procedures for obtaining reasonable accommodations.

Employment Advocacy

1. Change at least one One-Stop Employment Center policy toward enabling persons with disabilities greater access to the good and services offered.
2. Convince an Employment Training Provider to incorporate a disability peer mentoring component either developed or endorsed by MILC into their dealings with people with disabilities seeking financial transition from Welfare.

Health Care Advocacy

1. Change at least one institution’s policy toward their making referrals to the MILC an integral part of their discharge planning process.

Commerce Advocacy

1. The Massena Independent Living Center, Inc. will increase ADA compliance in the business community.

Social Advocacy

1. Increase the number of integrated recreational activity opportunities for people with disabilities in our area.

Citizenship Advocacy

1. MILC will increase the number of accessible polling locations in St. Lawrence County.

20. MIDDLETOWN

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Community and Systems Advocacy Plan

A. Education Advocacy:

• At least one school district will make a policy change to include vocational goals and activities in students’ IEPs starting at age 16 (rather than waiting until the student’s last semester).
• At least one school will adopt policy to establish a recommendation protocol to seek assistance in Educational Advocacy pertaining to students with disabilities before the IEP process begins.
• A local school district will make policy and procedural changes that result in an increase in the inclusion of assistive technology in IEPs for students with disabilities.
• At least one school will adopt or change policy that allows for a disability awareness class to be taught as part of the curriculum.

B. Employment Advocacy:

• Increase self-employment opportunities for people with disabilities in our service area.
• Occupations, Inc. will change their policy to ensure people with disabilities who work in their sheltered workshops will make at least minimum wage.
• Securing passage of NYS Sovereign Immunity legislation
• The Sullivan County One-Stop will become fully accessible.

C. Health Care Advocacy:

• Increase the availability of psychiatric/evaluation services for children with disabilities in Sullivan and/or Orange County.
• There will be an increase in the number of accessible doctors offices, health care clinics, dentists and hospitals for individuals with mobility disabilities.
• ATI will secure funding to establish a peer case management program to transition people from institutions into the community.
• The NYS Legislature will change the EPIC program to include coverage for people with disabilities.

D. Commerce Advocacy

• Achieve a measurable increase in the accessibility of public right-of-ways in our service area such as curb cuts constructed for people with disabilities.
• At least one business or store will become ADA Title III compliant in either or both Orange and Sullivan Counties.

E. Social Advocacy:

• At least one public entity that provides fitness facilities (such as gyms or YMCA) will become accessible through ATI advocacy.
• At least one public entity that provides musical venues (such as arenas or parks) will become accessible through ATI advocacy.

F. Citizenship Advocacy:

• At least one polling site will become accessible in Orange or Sullivan County.
• Achieve full implementation of HAVA in New York State.
• As a result of ATI’s advocacy efforts, the voting machines selected by Orange and Sullivan Counties will be as accessible as possible.
• NYS will adopt legislation to incorporate Title II of the ADA into state law.
• ATI staff and/or consumers will serve on committees, boards or task forces that have previously not had representation from the disability community.

21. NEWBURGH

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

I. Community and Systems Advocacy Plan

A. Educational Advocacy:

• Advocate for systemic changes that result universal access to educational opportunities and related supportive services for children ages birth to 21, and to ensure a successful transition of students with disabilities from school to adult life. Continue to advocate for an end to educational services that segregate children with disabilities, denying them the right to equally choose, equally participate and equally benefit.
• Will advocate to increase the enforcement of the rights and responsibilities of schools under laws related to special education, especially Section 504 and IDEA. Specifically advocate with school administration and instructional staff at both the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and the Orange-Ulster BOCES to engage all special education students in a transition planning process that begins at age 14.
• As the Mid-Hudson Regional Early Childhood Direction Center, we will continue to advocate for increasing access to early intervention and preschool education services by families of children with disabilities birth to age five, with emphasis on those residing in traditionally unserved and unserved neighborhoods in culturally diverse communities in Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan Counties.
• Advocate to increase the number of parents and students actively participating in the IEP process in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, and in public school districts served by the Orange Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and in Parent trainings throughout Orange, Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan Counties.
• Continue to advocate to establish a disability awareness track as part of the basic curriculum in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.
• Continue to advocate to reduce the incidence of segregated special education services for students with psychiatric disabilities by advocating for the adoption of inclusive educational practices and demand responsive supportive services that enable these students to learn in regular classroom settings.
• Will advocate with the Newburgh Enlarged City School District to provide collaborative efforts to ensure the equal dissemination of promotional materials and educational opportunities for the middle schools students who would like to participate in Independent Living’s (LEAP) program: a Learning Enrichment After school Program.
• Continue to advocate for procedural changes at the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and the Orange-Ulster BOCES that result in providing equal access to extracurricular activities for students receiving special education services.
• Advocate for changes to transition plans for students with disabilities in local school districts that result in the routing inclusion of information pertaining to PASS, VESID, Independent Living, advocacy and linkages to other community based agencies and organizations.

OUTCOMES:

At least one school district will change its policy to engage parents in their child's transition planning process.

One neighborhood-based organization in a culturally diverse community will establish a policy to include as part of its informational materials, information about disability and early intervention/education services in both English and Spanish.

At least one county childcare council will incorporate ILI developed disability awareness education into their required training curriculum for day care providers.

*A local school district will make policy and procedural changes in how it makes referrals to after school learning enrichment programs to facilitate increased participation by students with disabilities.

The Newburgh Enlarged City School District will institute a disability awareness tack developed by ILI as part of the school personnel-training curriculum.

At least one local school district will change its policy to provide equal access to extracurricular activities for students receiving special education services.

A local school district will make procedural changes that result in increased participation by students with disabilities in work learning programs.

A local school district will make procedural changes to transition plans for students with disabilities to include information on PASS, VESID, Independent Living advocacy, and linkages to other community based agencies and organizations.

B. Employment Advocacy:

• Advocate for systemic changes that result in an end to segregated, sheltered workshops. Increase the capacity of persons with disabilities to obtain and retain competitive employment.
• Continue to advocate for a shift in funding that will provide greater financial incentives to programs and agencies providing integrated employment services, than to those operating sheltered, segregated employment programs.
• Continue to advocate for an increase in the availability of supported work opportunities for persons with significant disabilities – that have historically been excluded from consideration as candidates for integrated employment.
• Continue to advocate for policy and procedural changes that increase participation by students with disabilities in work learning programs offered by Orange County School Districts.
• Continue to advocate for physical and procedural changes at One-Stops in the Cities of Newburgh and Middletown that facilitate increase participation by persons with significant disabilities.
• Continue to advocate for on-site advocacy services for persons with disabilities, at the local One-Stops.
• Continue to advocate for an increase in the availability of flexible, individualized supportive services (e.g. intensive vocational service coordination, flex funds, transportation and child care assistance) designed to address issues outside of work that directly bear upon placement stabilization.
• Continue to advocate for a measurable increase in the number of competitive employment opportunities that are made available to persons with significant disabilities, by employers that have not previously hired persons with disabilities.
• Advocate for equality of employment for persons who are Deaf.
• Advocate for equality of employment for persons with developmental disabilities.
• Advocate for equality of employment for persons with significant psychiatric disabilities.

OUTCOMES:

At least one local business will change its recruitment process so as to create new supported employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities.

One or more employers will modify an established policy or practice to provide reasonable accommodations to persons who are Deaf.

One or more employers will modify an established policy or practice to provide reasonable accommodation to employees with developmental disabilities.

*One or more employers will modify an established policy or practice to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with significant psychiatric disabilities.

C. Health Care Advocacy:

Continue to advocate for increasing the capacity of community-based supportive services to a level sufficient to enable persons presently confined to nursing homes and other restrictive settings, or at-risk of confinement, to return to, or remain in the community as an alternative to institutionalization – consistent with the Olmstead decision of 1999.

• Will advocate for changes in the local institutional policies and practices in the area of Long Term care needs assessment, and work in close collaborative effort with local government agencies.
• Continue to advocate for changes in local institutional policies and practices that will result in increased referrals to community based living options.
• Continue to advocate for changes in local institutional policies and practices that will result in significantly increasing the number of nursing home residents engaged in discharge planning.
• Advocate for changes in local mental health system policies and practices that refocus services on recovery and wellness.
• Advocate for changes in policies by local county departments of social services so as to provide self-directing consumers with control over their PA’s work schedule(s).
• Advocate with local county departments of social services to authorize as many hours as necessary, without restriction, to enable persons with disabilities to remain in the community of their choosing.
• Continue to advocate with community organizations so as to produce a measurable increase in the number of such organizations referring consumers to Consumer Directed Personal Assistance services that have not previously done so.
• Continue to advocate for changes in the policies and practices of providers in the local health care system that will ensure full access to health services by individuals who are Deaf.
• Continue to advocate for changes in the policies and practices of providers in the local mental health care system that will ensure equal access to mental health services by individuals who are Deaf.

OUTCOMES:

One or more county departments of social services will adopt policies that enable self-directing individuals to schedule the hours authorized for PA services at their own discretion.

At least one community or governmental agency providing mental health services will improve its accessibility to people who are Deaf.

At least one hospital or community health care center will change its policies and practices to ensure full access to health services by individuals who are Deaf.

*One or more ILI staff will become a member of a key Long Term Care Task Force that will set the direction and tone of how the country will adopt changes from the state to provide LTC services to the disability population and that previously has not had representation from the disability community.

At least one local physicians office will improve physical and communication access for persons with disabilities.

*One or more county departments of social services will adopt policies that enable individuals with disabilities in the Long Term Care services system, to make informed choices as to where they would like to reside.

A local health care facility will adopt a policy assuring the proper training of all personnel on disability sensitivity and awareness.

One or more local departments of social services will establish an agreement with the independent living center to adopt an ongoing practice of providing periodic disability awareness training to all DSS personnel.

The Orange County Mental Health Department will establish an agreement with the independent living center to adopt an ongoing practice of providing periodic Deaf cultural awareness training to all mental health practitioners.

D. Commerce Advocacy:

Continue to advocate for systemic changes that result in universal access to public transportation, public buildings, communication systems and other amenities. Increase the capacity of people with disabilities to engage in local marketplace activities including shopping, dining out, using recreational facilities and participating in community events by increasing the number of Title III entities that are accessible in the Orange County area.

• Continue to advocate with local municipalities regarding the consistent enforcement of accessible/adaptable requirements in new construction.
• Provide ADA training and technical support to local code enforcement officials and or other municipal departments.
• Continue to advocate for increased accessible housing options for persons with disabilities.
• Advocate for greater access to community amenities by persons who are Deaf.

OUTCOMES:

There will be an increase in the number of ADA Title III entities that are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities in the center's service area.

The local public transit company will adopt a policy assuring the proper training of all transit/driving personnel on disability and Deaf awareness.

At least one municipal police department will establish an agreement with the Center that implements the ongoing practice of providing Deaf and disability awareness as part of the training/orientation for law enforcement officers.

A local housing organization will establish an accessible housing program that makes home modification services available to residences throughout Orange County, with technical support provided under contract with the independent living center.

At least one local landlord will make additional, accessible housing units available for persons with physical disabilities.

E. Social Advocacy:

Continue to advocate for systemic changes that result in an end to segregated, dead-end day programs, and the increased inclusion of people with disabilities in service and social clubs, special interest organizations, and other integrated community activities.

• Continue to advocate for changes in funding policies and practices as necessary to encourage the creation of an on-going, "free-market" driven process for providing individuals receiving day services the opportunity to evaluate and, potentially change service providers based upon individually determined criteria.
• Continue to advocate for changes in funding policies and practices as necessary to create incentives for day service providers to develop integrated community based program models and eliminate segregated day services.
• Continue advocating to increase the number of community clubs and service organizations that are accessible by individuals with significant disabilities.
• Continue to advocate for increased availability of sign language interpreters at local theatrical performances and other cultural and recreational events.
• Continue to advocate with local municipalities to ensure that stadiums, auditoriums, parks and other public recreational facilities are fully accessible.

OUTCOMES:

At least one community club or service organization will adopt a policy assuring that meeting places are fully accessible.

One or more community service organizations will establish an agreement with ILI to provide disability awareness training for all of its members.

A municipal recreation department will adopt a policy assuring the proper training of all personnel in the areas of disability awareness and the ADA.

A local health club/fitness center will adopt a policy assuring the proper training of all personnel on disability sensitivity and awareness.

F. Citizenship Advocacy:

Advocate for systemic changes that result in universal voter access to polling places. Increase self-advocacy and leadership skills among youthful and adult citizens with disabilities.

• Continue to advocate for the local Board of Elections to adopt policies and processes that ensure the training of all newly hired election officials about the rights of persons with disabilities at polling places.
• Continue to advocate for an increase in the participation of individuals with significant disabilities on governing boards of community organizations responsible for making decisions about the funding of disability services that previously have not had representation from the disability community.
• Continue to advocate for increased participation by individuals with significant disabilities on governing boards of community organizations responsible for making decisions affecting the lives of persons with disabilities, in the areas of employment, recreation, citizenship, education, housing, and health care that previously have not had representation from the disability community.
• Advocate and provide means to help register the underserved and non-registered voters of Orange County
• Advocate with the Orange County Board of Elections and local municipalities to ensure that ballot marking devices are marketed as available to the public in 2006 and new voting machines are fully accessible in 2007.
• Advocate with the Orange County Board of Elections and local municipalities to achieve 100% polling place accessibility.
• Work with collaborative local agencies to provide a Candidates Forum for the upcoming elections in part to finalize and publicize positions on disability related issues.

OUTCOMES:

The Orange County Board of Elections will adopt a policy assuring the proper training of all polling site workers, on disability sensitivity and awareness.

One or more political candidates will adopt policies that ensure that meetings and rallies are held in accessible locations.

There will be an increase in the number of individuals with disabilities serving on community boards/committees and task forces that previously have no consumer representation.

*The Orange County Board of elections will modify its polling site selection policy to no longer grant waivers to any polling site that is not accessible.

The Orange County Board of Elections will modify its list of polling sites for 2006 by changing at least one inaccessible location to an accessible site.

The Orange County Board of Elections will develop policies and procedures to ensure the public (including the disability community) is made aware of changes in polling sites and/or voting machines.

*The Center will ensure that new voting machines purchased for use in Orange County will be accessible to voters with disabilities.

22. NIAGARA FALLS

On 6/16/06 the contract with Niagara Frontier Center for Independent Living (NFCIL) was terminated effective 9/30/06. A specially designed contract for 2006-2007 was established with an interim vendor, Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP), to serve Niagara Country that did not require the development of the standard goals and objectives.

23. OLEAN

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES