Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals With Disabilities (VESID)

VESID / ILC / Toolbox

NYS Independent Living Centers

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
SYSTEM CHANGE OUTCOME
INVENTORY

October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005

Table of Contents

Education Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
ALBANY A.W. Becker Elementary School in Selkirk incorporated a yearly disability awareness assembly into its curriculum.
AMSTERDAM Center staff was invited to join an advisory committee formed by Advisory Solutions of New York State School Boards Association to conduct an elementary school redistricting study funded through Greater Amsterdam School District Board of Education.
AMSTERDAM Center staff was invited to join and is co-chairing the Magnet School Exploration Committee that resulted in many positive improvements including, but not limited to, the program eligibility and lottery selection policy giving children with disabilities an equal chance to get into the magnet school.
AMSTERDAM Center staff was invited to participate on the Special Education Task Force of the Civil Rights and Disability Law Project at the Albany Law School.
AUBURN The Center's Programming Director now sits on the Cayuga County Single Point of Access (SPOA) Children's Committee.
BATAVIA Perry Central School District improved accessibility of the Senior High School by adding accessible sidewalks and a new parking lot with handicapped parking spaces.
BINGHAMTON The Center was approved for funding by NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) Broome Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) to conduct a Family Support Services (FSS) program to train and support parents of children with disabilities to serve as peer advocates for education issues. The funding is for five years and the total amount will be $86,803.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the national effort that led to reauthorization of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that was signed into law by the President on 12/3/04. Critical changes affecting children with disabilities and their families were in the areas of Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, due process, and the discipline provisions.
BINGHAMTON The Center was awarded funding by the NYS Education Department (NYSED), Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) to operate a regional Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC) that provides information about programs and services for young children, ages birth through five, who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and helps families obtain services for their children. The funding is for $179,331 per year over five years for a total amount of $896,655.
BRONX Foreign Language Academy for Global Studies (FLAGS) High School in the Bronx committed to hosting a Disabilities Awareness Day program in the school during the month of October and making this an ongoing part of the school's program.
BROOKLYN The Center's application to NYS Education Department (NYSED), Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) was approved to replicate a model of an existing youth transition center as part of the Independent Living Services for School Age Youth With Disabilities Project. Funding is for $75,000 per year for four years from 2005 to 2009.
BUFFALO Hilbert College in Hamburg offered, as part of its Fall semester courses, a course on Independent Living for their Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
BUFFALO Erie Community College in Buffalo, Department of Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Technology incorporated Independent Living Philosophy into an introductory course in occupational therapy.
CORNING In partnership with Ernie Davis Family Center of Elmira the Center established the Community Advocacy Network Developed for Individuals with Disabilities (CANDID) comprised of students, parents, and human service professionals. It conducts monthly meetings in both Chemung and Steuben Counties and provides support, general assistance, and information and referral to navigate service systems.
CORTLAND The Center's Program Coordinator was appointed to the Advisory Council of the "Easing into College" pilot project to help students with developmental disabilities transition into the college environment. This project is a collaboration of Cortland City School District, SUNY Cortland, and NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO).
GLENS FALLS The Center established a new computer mentoring program partnering senior citizens with disabilities with youth to provide entry-level computer/Internet operation skills. Funding for 2 years was secured through the Leo-Cox-Beach Foundation in the amount of $10,300.
HARLEM City University of New York (CUNY), City College of NY (CCNY) in Harlem improved access at the North Academic Center (NAC) by installing a new entrance for students with disabilities that has new automatic entrance doors and/or a security guard on post and by relocating this entrance to the same location with the non disabled students that has better lighting and security cameras.
KINGSTON The Center's funding application to the United Way of Ulster County was approved to conduct a Transition Project that provides transition assistance to ninth grade students in Kingston City Schools. Funding is for $11,000 for each of a two-year program.
KINGSTON The Center's funding application to the NYS Education Department (NYSED), Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) was approved to replicate a model of an existing youth transition center as part of the Independent Living Services for School Age Youth With Disabilities Project. Funding is for $75,000 per year for four years from 2005 to 2009. Transition assistance will be provided to ninth grade students with disabilities in Saugerties, Wallkill and Onteora Schools.
KINGSTON The Center was active in the national effort that led to the reauthorization of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that was signed into law by the President on December 3, 2004. Critical changes affecting children with disabilities and their families were in the areas of Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, due process, and the discipline provisions.
KINGSTON The Center's Architectural Modification Consultant is a member of the Facilities Steering Committee working with the Kingston City School District to develop a district wide facility master plan for school improvements that includes modifications designed to increase accessibility.
LONG ISLAND FEGS (Federation Employment and Guidance Services) Health and Human Services System adopted a Center designed curriculum entitled "Leveling the Playing Field at Work and School" for continued presentation to its Individual Psychiatric Rehabilitation Training (IPRT) consumers.
MANHATTAN NYS Education Department (NYSED), Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) agreed to place policy 405.00 Training at a College or University (April 2003) on its website to increase consumer awareness of a tuition waiver and use of the policy.
MANHATTAN The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Department of Education proposing, and the NYS Office of the State Comptroller agreeing, to extend the six existing Independent Living Services for School Age Youth with Disabilities projects for an additional five years of sole source contracts through June 30, 2009.
MASSENA State University of New York (SUNY) Canton improved the access of a pedestrian path used by students with disabilities who live off-campus by constructing curb cuts, erecting appropriate signage, and painting a crosswalk.
MASSENA Edwards-Knox Junior-Senior High School in Russell developed a system to better track students receiving special education programming (who are out of sequence) so that they be afforded the same opportunities as other students to participate in age appropriate activities, i.e. fundraising and senior trips.
MIDDLETOWN A parent of a child with a disability, who is also a Center Employee, secured a permanent position as the new Parent Advocate on the Fallsburgh School District Committee on Special Education (CSE).
MIDDLETOWN The Center's application for funding to the United Way of Sullivan County in Monticello was approved to conduct an Autism/Asperger Support Group that will address educational gaps for children with autism/asperger syndrome. The grant is for $5,000.
NEWBURGH Newburgh Enlarged City School District instituted a system (including an orientation program for students and parents at the beginning of each school year) that provides information about items for potential inclusion in an Individual Education Plan (IEP) Transition Plan for special education students.
NEWBURGH Newburgh Free Academy implemented policy changes that end the segregation of students with significant disabilities and require transition plans to routinely incorporate information pertaining to a plan for achieving self-support (PASS), NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID, Independent Living resources, and linkages to community based resources.
NEWBURGH Newburgh Enlarged City School District modified its policies pertaining to the engagement of parents in their child's transition planning process and the participation by students with disabilities in community/work learning experiences. Also, the District modified bus routes to ensure participation by students with disabilities in after school activities.
NEWBURGH Orange-Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) administrative offices in Goshen modified its policies pertaining to the engagement of parents in their child's transition planning process and the development of transition plans to routinely incorporate information pertaining to a plan for achieving self-support (PASS), NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID, Independent Living resources, and linkages to community based resources.
NEWBURGH The Center received a 5-year grant from the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Thiells to provide after school family support services to at-risk junior high school students with developmental disabilities and their families.
NEWBURGH The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Education Department proposing, and the NYS Office of the State Comptroller agreeing, to extend six existing IL/School Age Youth with Disabilities projects for an additional five years of sole source contracts through 6/30/09.
NEWBURGH The Center was awarded funding by the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) to operate a regional Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC) that provides information about programs and services for young children, ages birth through five, who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities and helps families obtain services for their children.
NIAGARA FALLS Starpoint Central School District (towns of Pendleton, Cambria, Lockport, Wheatfield, and Royalton) now provides sign language interpreters in the early middle and secondary system as well as the adult education system.
NIAGARA FALLS Niagara Falls School District now schedules sign language interpreters for parents who are deaf for student conferences and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings without parents needing to request it for every meeting.
NIAGARA FALLS Hyde Park School (an elementary school in Niagara Falls) added a "legal" ramp to allow access to the building and programming.
PLATTSBURGH The Center's funding application to the NYS Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) was approved to replicate a model of an existing youth transition center as part of the Independent Living Services for School Age Youth With Disabilities Project. Funding is for $75,000 per year for four years from 2005 to 2009. Transition assistance will be provided to students with disabilities in Plattsburgh High School and Peru High School.
STATEN ISLAND The Center's Executive Director is a member of the Board of Directors of the Seton Foundation for Learning in Staten Island that provides special education and support services to children with developmental disabilities aged 3 - 21 and their families.
SUFFOLK Longwood Middle School in Middle Island removed fixed seating in the auditorium in order that students and visitors with disabilities could access events.
SUFFOLK Long Island Transition Coordination Site located at Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) with its main office in Patchogue added the Center to its resource list.
SYRACUSE Liverpool High School remodeled its bathroom to be accessible to students with disabilities.
SYRACUSE State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego became more accessible to persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs by replacing an installed ramp that did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements with an acceptable modular ramp.
TROY Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) in Troy now provides interpreters for students who are deaf and in pre-vocational courses.
TROY Hudson City School District implemented a Transition Planning binder for each Special Education student who will receive an initial binder in the eighth grade that will be maintained at the school until graduation and monitored by the transition team.
UTICA The Center's Executive Director became a member of the thirty-first annual Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) sponsored by US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This study group will address Leading and Managing Change in Public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The primary purpose of IRI is to develop publications used in training VR professionals and as technical resources.
UTICA Joint funding application with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) in Utica to the Center for Preparation of Educational Interpreters, National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was approved to develop a two-year AAS degree program at MVCC to train sign language interpreters to work in schools. The grant is for three years for a total of $260,000.
WATERTOWN The Center was active in the national effort that led to the reauthorization of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that was signed into law by the President on December 3, 2004. Critical changes affecting children with disabilities and their families were in the areas of Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, due process, and the discipline provisions.
WHITE PLAINS Edgemont Union Free School District in Scarsdale implemented a fee for service agreement with the Center to provide transition planning services.
YONKERS Yonkers City School District changed its procedures by permitting School District Psychologists to sign off on Center staff conducting the Vineland Psychological Assessment tool to facilitate a more efficient referral process for NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) services.

Employment Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
ALBANY The Center established a fee for service agreement with the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) Albany District Office to conduct Group Orientations for VESID Services.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the ILC statewide effort that led to blocking of NYS legislation that would have transferred NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) from Department of Education to Department of Labor.
BINGHAMTON The Center was awarded a small International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) grant to purchase equipment and supplies to assist consumers with mental illness to develop employment-related skills while addressing their anxiety issues. Many of the participants in the project, due to the nature of their disabilities, are very likely to pursue self-employment opportunities, rather than work outside of the home.
BUFFALO Christopher and Banks Corporation corporate Human Resources issued a memo to managers of all New York Christopher and Banks and C. J. Banks stores instructing them as to the legal necessity of proper reasonable accommodations as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
CORNING Collaborative funding application with local education agencies and Chemung Schuyler and Steuben Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to conduct the Youth Career Project (YCP) was approved. A two-year grant for $110,000 was received from NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) to provide students supports in four key areas.
DELAWARE Arby's Restaurant in Oneonta agreed to remove the question, "Do you have a disability?" from their employment application form.
DELAWARE CDO Workforce, Delaware County One-Stop, Delhi Resource Room re-located from an inaccessible second floor office space to a first floor office space made more accessible by a ramp.
GLENS FALLS Colwell and Salmon, a telemarketing business in Glens Falls, completed modifications to make the business and the bathroom accessible to employees with disabilities.
MANHATTAN The Center's work with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded youth employment providers resulted in NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) changing the language of its Summer Youth Employment Program RFP and contract to allow community-based organizations to exceed the price per participant for youth with disabilities, encouraging their placement. This also led to a change in the language of the DYCD Out-of-School Time RFP and contract to encourage service to students with disabilities.
MASSENA Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone improved access for its employees with disabilities by increasing the number of accessible handicapped parking spaces and placing them in appropriate locations.
MIDDLETOWN NYS Department of Labor Division of Employment Services Office in Newburgh secured accessible computers for the Deaf community through the Center's Disability Navigator Program.
NEWBURGH Orange County Employment and Training Administration modified policies and procedures that ensure that One-Stop services in Orange County are fully accessible and available to students with disabilities transitioning from school to adult life.
NEWBURGH Funding application to NYS Developmentally Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) was approved to provide vocational advocacy for students with disabilities transitioning from school to work.
OLEAN The Employment Connection, a division of the Rehabilitation Center, in Olean implemented a Center developed job club for adults with disabilities that adapted the Center's N.E.X.T. Step Program designed for students in transition.
PLATTSBURGH The Center's funding application to NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) for $55,000 was approved to conduct a pilot project entitled Partners for Success that utilizes a 3 part peer based readiness curriculum to assist individuals with disabilities to better understand and engage in the vocational rehabilitation process.
POUGHKEEPSIE Dutchess County Human Rights Commission changed its policies and procedures to incorporate providing a Center developed information packet to individuals pursuing a job discrimination issue relating to people with disabilities.
ROCKLAND Rockland County One-Stop, Tomorrow's Workplace, in Spring Valley made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf by installing a TTY.
STATEN ISLAND The Center's Executive Director became a member of the Accessibility Committee of the Staten Island Workforce 1 Career Center (One-Stop) that recently opened.
TROY The Center in conjunction with Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA) developed a new Summer Youth Job Readiness Training Program funded through NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Albany District Office.
UTICA The Center was awarded funding through Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Workforce Investment Board to conduct Drive to Success program to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities who are employed to purchase a vehicle. This pilot project pays one third of the car's cost, one year of insurance, and all costs to place the car on the road, and sets aside one half of the first six monthly payments in the event of default.
UTICA The Center was awarded funding through Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Workforce Investment Board to conduct a Customized Employment Grant, Consumer Directed funding to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining employment goals through assistance covering such things as auto repairs, auto insurance, auto payments, rent assistance, utility assistance, clothing allowances and medical prescriptions.
WHITE PLAINS The Center's funding application to NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) for $55,000 was approved to conduct a pilot project entitled Partners for Success that utilizes a 3 part peer based readiness curriculum to assist individuals with disabilities to better understand and engage in the vocational rehabilitation process.
YONKERS The Center was active in the ILC statewide effort that led to blocking of NYS legislation that would have transferred NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) from Department of Education to Department of Labor.

Health Care Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
AMSTERDAM The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
AMSTERDAM The Center's existing Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) Program in Montgomery County was expanded to Fulton County.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the State Legislature allocating dedicated funds up to $10 million for the Access to Home program administered by NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The program is in conjunction with the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver and makes available housing subsidies for persons transitioning from nursing homes. It will provide funds to not-for-profit organizations to administer local programs to make homes and apartments accessible for low and moderate income persons with disabilities.
BINGHAMTON The Center was approved for funding by NYS Department of Health to operate a Neurobehavioral Consultation project to assist people with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to live integrated lives in their communities. The funding is for five years at a cost of $328,230 for the first year.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
BRONX The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Senate and Assembly voting down the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
BUFFALO The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
CORNING Arnot Ogden Medical Center Hospital in Elmira purchased five signs to assist with requesting interpreters that were placed throughout the Medical Center in the Hospital, main office, Falck Cancer Center, Heart and Vascular Institute, and the Health Center for Women.
CORTLAND Cortland Medical Center upgraded its parking lot to include accessible parking spots with access aisles and appropriate signage. DELAWARE Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton installed a lift and established designated accessible parking where none previously existed.
GLENS FALLS Glens Falls Hospital agreed to provide information concerning Independent Living Center services to patients at discharge.
GLENS FALLS Community, Work and Independence, Inc. (CWI) in Glens Falls became a new provider of services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
GLENS FALLS Millview of Waterford, an adult home, became a new provider of services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
GLENS FALLS Lexington Center in Gloversville became a new provider of services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
GLENS FALLS Glens Falls Hospital, Rehabilitation Center in Queensbury agreed to provide information and referral for Independent Living Center services to patients.
GLENS FALLS Dr. James Noonan from Saratoga Medical Center now uses a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) and sign language interpreter services when needed.
HARLEM SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) Elders) located in Manhattan improved access for individuals with low vision by making low tech/low cost changes such as rearranging furniture, different lighting, and contrasting paint for door frames to distinguish them from the wall and by distributing all information in alternate formats.
ITHACA The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
ITHACA The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Senate and Assembly voting down the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
ITHACA The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS State Legislature allocating dedicated funds up to $10 million for the Access to Home program administered by NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The program is in conjunction with the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver and makes available housing subsidies for persons transitioning from nursing homes. It will provide funds to not-for-profit organizations to administer local programs to make homes and apartments accessible for low and moderate income persons with disabilities.
JAMESTOWN The Center's Executive Director and Independent Living Specialist III are participating on the Statewide Task Force to promote education and technical assistance to end domestic violence against women with disabilities.
JAMESTOWN The Center's System Advocate was appointed to the Statewide Special Needs Population and Communication Work Group to address emergency health care services for persons with disabilities.
KINGSTON Ulster-Greene Association for Retarded Citizens (UGARC) in Kingston changed its clinic policy and now accepts new clients from programs other than UGARC.
KINGSTON Wheelchair access into the Kingston Medical Arts Building was improved by getting improperly placed curb cuts corrected - one curb cut was eliminated, a second curb cut was modified.
MANHATTAN The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Senate and Assembly voting down the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
MANHATTAN NYS Department of Health and NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene instituted a policy that permits Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries to disenroll from Medicaid health plans on an expedited basis.
MANHATTAN The Terms and Conditions attached to the new Medicaid Advantage Plans (hybrid Medicaid/Medicare plans) now include provisions that protect the right to due process for dual eligibles with a broad definition of medical necessity.
MANHATTAN The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
MASSENA The Center became a member of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Service (CDPAS) Advisory Board of Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country in Canton.
MIDDLETOWN The Center's Executive Director started serving on the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County (ADAC) Board of Directors.
NEWBURGH Project Liberty, conducted through Orange County Department of Mental Health in Goshen, installed a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).
NEWBURGH Feeney Drive office of Mobile Mental Health installed a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).
NEWBURGH St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital improved access for persons who are Deaf by modifying its in-service training plan to include accessibility, revising and expanding the disability policies section of its policy and procedure manual, and requiring that disability awareness training become a part of the in-service curriculum.
NEWBURGH Occupations, Inc, in Newburgh now mandates training in Deaf culture competency for mental health services staff.
NEWBURGH Orange County Association for the Help of Retarded Citizens (AHRC) in Newburgh now mandates training in Deaf culture competency for mental health services staff.
NEWBURGH Family Empowerment Council in Middletown serving Orange and Sullivan Counties now mandates training in Deaf culture competency for mental health services staff.
NIAGARA FALLS Quest Diagnostics in Lewiston moved its lab services office from a building that was not accessible to a fully accessible location at 755 Center Street.
NIAGARA FALLS Dr. Gilles moved his office to an accessible location at 1540 Ellicott Creek Road in Tonawanda. OLEAN Cornell University Cooperative Extension's Family Life Services Program located in Ellicottville started using a Center developed color-coded cookbook for the learning disabled with accompanying measuring tools.
POUGHKEEPSIE Local Doctors Who Make House Calls (Dr. Jeanine Santiago) in Fishkill now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Doctors Alterman, Modi and Wolter in Poughkeepsie now provide interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Capital District Pediatric Cardiologists in Albany now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Northeast Center for Special Care in Kingston now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Sullivan Urologic Associates in Ferndale now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Hudson River Community Health operating a network of facilities located in the Counties of Dutchess (Poughkeepsie, Amenia, Beacon, Dover Plains, and Pine Plains), Orange (Goshen and Walden), Ulster (New Paltz), and Westchester (Peekskill) now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Middletown Dialysis Center now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE Family Practice of Hyde Park now provides interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
ROCHESTER The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
ROCHESTER The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in the University of Rochester Medical Center receiving a $3.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control to conduct the National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR).
ROCHESTER Rochester City Council passed legislation to provide stricter code enforcement to eliminate lead hazards in the City's housing stock in December 2005.
STATEN ISLAND Staten Island Inter-Agency Council for Aging (IAC) now lists the Center's name and services in its database of member agencies.
STATEN ISLAND Community Agency for Senior Citizens (CASC) in Staten Island updated its referral book to include the Center.
SYRACUSE The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the State Legislature allocating dedicated funds up to $10 million for the Access to Home program administered by NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The program is in conjunction with the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver and makes available housing subsidies for persons transitioning from nursing homes. It will provide funds to not-for-profit organizations to administer local programs to make homes and apartments accessible for low and moderate income persons with disabilities.
SYRACUSE The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Senate and Assembly voting down the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
TROY Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson sent an email to remind staff of an existing interpreter request policy for patients who are Deaf and to outline the process for requesting interpreter services for hospital and related doctor services.
WATERTOWN The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the NYS Senate and Assembly voting down the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
WATERTOWN Collaborative funding application (involving six other ILCs-Center For Disability Rights, Westchester Disabled on the Move, Resource Center for Independent Living, Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Southern Tier Independence Center, and Westchester Independent Living Center) to NYS Department of Health to conduct a Real Choice Systems Grant was approved. Funding began in 10/04 at a funding level of $13,500. The Center will provide Nursing Home Diversion Services in Jefferson County.
WHITE PLAINS The Center's joint application to Westchester County Department of Social Services was approved to operate a second Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program in the County. The application was submitted by a partnership called Consumer Choices of Westchester consisting of Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC), Westchester Disabled on the Move (WDOM), and Consumer Choices of NYC (a subsidiary of Independence Care Systems of NYC). This new program is separate and distinct from the CDPA program established by WDOM and WILC during 2000-2001 in collaboration with Concepts of Independence of NYC.
WHITE PLAINS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the Geriatric Mental Health Act on August 29, 2005 to conduct a pilot project to integrate mental health and health services for the elderly.
WHITE PLAINS Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla implemented a sign language interpreter request and staff training policy.
WHITE PLAINS Independent Living Lower Broadway in Newburgh became a provider of service coordination in the seven county Hudson region under the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver program.
WHITE PLAINS RuthTaylor Nursing Home in White Plains established a peer group called "Transitions" to explore issues regarding returning to community living.
WHITE PLAINS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
YONKERS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law of the NYS Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver bill on November 9, 2004.
YONKERS The Center's Executive Director was appointed to NYS Department of Health Medicaid Waiver advisory committee.
YONKERS Collaborative funding application (involving six other ILCs-Center For Disability Rights, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, Resource Center for Independent Living, Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley, Southern Tier Independence Center, and Westchester Independent Living Center) to NYS Department of Health to conduct a Real Choice Systems Grant was approved. Funding began in 10/04. The Center will provide Nursing Home Diversion Services in Southern Westchester County.
YONKERS The Center's joint application to Westchester County Department of Social Services was approved to operate a second Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program in the County. The application was submitted by a partnership called Consumer Choices of Westchester consisting of Westchester Disabled on the Move (WDOM), Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC), and Consumer Choices of NYC (a subsidiary of Independence Care Systems of NYC). This new program is separate and distinct from the CDPA program established by WDOM and WILC during 2000-2001 in collaboration with Concepts of Independence of NYC.
YONKERS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the State Legislature allocating dedicated funds up to $10 million for the Access to Home program administered by NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). The program is in conjunction with the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver and makes available housing subsidies for persons transitioning from nursing homes. It will provide funds to not-for-profit organizations to administer local programs to make homes and apartments accessible for low and moderate income persons with disabilities.
YONKERS Medical Building at 944 North Broadway in Yonkers reconfigured three accessible parking spaces and provided proper signage, removed and inner door at the end of a ramp that impeded accessibility, applied Braille markings to external and internal elevator controls, and replaced door hardware on rest rooms to provide accessible lever handles.

Commerce Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
ALBANY The Center established a fee for service agreement with the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) Albany District Office to conduct Group Orientations for VESID Services.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the ILC statewide effort that led to blocking of NYS legislation that would have transferred NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) from Department of Education to Department of Labor.
BINGHAMTON The Center was awarded a small International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) grant to purchase equipment and supplies to assist consumers with mental illness to develop employment-related skills while addressing their anxiety issues. Many of the participants in the project, due to the nature of their disabilities, are very likely to pursue self-employment opportunities, rather than work outside of the home.
BUFFALO Christopher and Banks Corporation corporate Human Resources issued a memo to managers of all New York Christopher and Banks and C. J. Banks stores instructing them as to the legal necessity of proper reasonable accommodations as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
CORNING Collaborative funding application with local education agencies and Chemung Schuyler and Steuben Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to conduct the Youth Career Project (YCP) was approved. A two-year grant for $110,000 was received from NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) to provide students supports in four key areas.
DELAWARE Arby's Restaurant in Oneonta agreed to remove the question, "Do you have a disability?" from their employment application form.
DELAWARE CDO Workforce, Delaware County One-Stop, Delhi Resource Room re-located from an inaccessible second floor office space to a first floor office space made more accessible by a ramp.
GLENS FALLS Colwell and Salmon, a telemarketing business in Glens Falls, completed modifications to make the business and the bathroom accessible to employees with disabilities.
MANHATTAN The Center's work with Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funded youth employment providers resulted in NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) changing the language of its Summer Youth Employment Program RFP and contract to allow community-based organizations to exceed the price per participant for youth with disabilities, encouraging their placement. This also led to a change in the language of the DYCD Out-of-School Time RFP and contract to encourage service to students with disabilities.
MASSENA Upstate Correctional Facility in Malone improved access for its employees with disabilities by increasing the number of accessible handicapped parking spaces and placing them in appropriate locations.
MIDDLETOWN NYS Department of Labor Division of Employment Services Office in Newburgh secured accessible computers for the Deaf community through the Center's Disability Navigator Program.
NEWBURGH Orange County Employment and Training Administration modified policies and procedures that ensure that One-Stop services in Orange County are fully accessible and available to students with disabilities transitioning from school to adult life.
NEWBURGH Funding application to NYS Developmentally Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) was approved to provide vocational advocacy for students with disabilities transitioning from school to work.
OLEAN The Employment Connection, a division of the Rehabilitation Center, in Olean implemented a Center developed job club for adults with disabilities that adapted the Center's N.E.X.T. Step Program designed for students in transition.
PLATTSBURGH The Center's funding application to NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) for $55,000 was approved to conduct a pilot project entitled Partners for Success that utilizes a 3 part peer based readiness curriculum to assist individuals with disabilities to better understand and engage in the vocational rehabilitation process.
POUGHKEEPSIE Dutchess County Human Rights Commission changed its policies and procedures to incorporate providing a Center developed information packet to individuals pursuing a job discrimination issue relating to people with disabilities.
ROCKLAND Rockland County One-Stop, Tomorrow's Workplace, in Spring Valley made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf by installing a TTY.
STATEN ISLAND The Center's Executive Director became a member of the Accessibility Committee of the Staten Island Workforce 1 Career Center (One-Stop) that recently opened.
TROY The Center in conjunction with Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA) developed a new Summer Youth Job Readiness Training Program funded through NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Albany District Office.
UTICA The Center was awarded funding through Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Workforce Investment Board to conduct Drive to Success program to provide assistance to individuals with disabilities who are employed to purchase a vehicle. This pilot project pays one third of the car's cost, one year of insurance, and all costs to place the car on the road, and sets aside one half of the first six monthly payments in the event of default.
UTICA The Center was awarded funding through Oneida-Herkimer-Madison Workforce Investment Board to conduct a Customized Employment Grant, Consumer Directed funding to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining employment goals through assistance covering such things as auto repairs, auto insurance, auto payments, rent assistance, utility assistance, clothing allowances and medical prescriptions.
WHITE PLAINS The Center's funding application to NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) for $55,000 was approved to conduct a pilot project entitled Partners for Success that utilizes a 3 part peer based readiness curriculum to assist individuals with disabilities to better understand and engage in the vocational rehabilitation process.
YONKERS The Center was active in the ILC statewide effort that led to blocking of NYS legislation that would have transferred NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) from Department of Education to Department of Labor.

Health Care Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
ALBANY The Center is a member of a newly formed End Homelessness Advisory Committee comprised of Albany County community leaders to establish a plan that addresses chronic and short-term homelessness among single adults as well as families and runaway youth.
ALBANY The Center was involved in the local effort that led to Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Special Transportation Available by Request (STAR) service changing its transportation application to include people with hidden disabilities and to exclude questions that were more invasive and did not relate to eligibility.
AMSTERDAM Nom Rite Super Store in Amsterdam installed a ramp to the front entrance of the store.
AMSTERDAM CVS Pharmacy in Gloversville lowered an ATM machine, which was previously too high for customers who are disabled and use a wheelchair to reach.
AMSTERDAM Amsterdam City Council changed its plans to eliminate the Amsterdam Transportation Department due to budget constraints and found additional money in the budget to finance the municipal transit system for 6 months, while searching for permanent funding.
AMSTERDAM Gloversville Free Library now has a handicapped-accessible entrance, parking, and bathrooms.
AMSTERDAM Amsterdam Post Office added a ramp to the front entrance.
AUBURN Hollywood Restaurant in Auburn now provides large print menus for patrons who are low vision.
AUBURN Springside Inn in Auburn now provides large print menus for patrons who are low vision.
AUBURN Pumpkin Hill Bistro in Aurora now provides large print menus for patrons who are low vision.
AUBURN Auburn City Council passed an ordinance implementing Visitability within Auburn that utilized framework from Atlanta, GA ordinance and will impact single family, duplexes and triplexes built in Auburn with any Federal/State/City assistance.
AUBURN The Center was awarded new HUD grant to conduct supportive housing program to provide for individuals with disabilities a rental subsidy (similar to Section 8 Subsidy) to pay for rent while they arrange for service linkages in the community to promote self-sufficiency.
BATAVIA Warsaw Town Office doorway is now properly ramped and accessible.
BATAVIA City of Batavia's new City Center installed automatic door openers that had been omitted during its construction.
BINGHAMTON Great American Weigh-In sponsored by American Cancer Society working with Weight Watchers provided, for the first time, a sign language interpreter and an accessible scale for persons who use wheelchairs at its event at the local mall.
BINGHAMTON Vestal Police Department began ticketing vehicles parked in handicapped access aisles at Town Square Mall.
BINGHAMTON Town Square Mall in Vestal installed signs in front of the access aisles of handicapped parking spaces to prevent people from parking in them.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the modification of the NYS Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legislation and program to include people with disabilities.
BINGHAMTON Ithaca Orthopedic Group began providing sign language interpreters to their patients who are Deaf.
BROOKLYN Chase Bank renovated an existing automatic teller machine (ATM) at a branch in Brooklyn at 1663 East 17th Street to improve access for individuals who use a wheelchair.
BROOKLYN New York City Police Department 75th Precinct in Brooklyn made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf by providing sign language interpreter services.
BUFFALO SolutionsPartnering.Org in Buffalo, an affiliate of The Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York, agreed that all residences in a new housing development not designed to be accessible will be designed to be visitable.
BUFFALO The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the modification of the NYS Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legislation and program to include people with disabilities.
BUFFALO Advocacy efforts of the Center in collaboration with Niagara Frontier Center for Independent Living resulted in the Belmont Shelter Corporation in Buffalo being awarded funding through NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) for the Artspace housing project to include 6 accessible units.
CORNING Corning Fire Department obtained a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) for the fire hall.
CORNING Lincoln Court Apartments in Wayland added accessible parking spaces/signage and sidewalks/curb cuts and renovated its community room with strobe fire alarms, lower paper towel dispenser, front load washer and dryer, and portable strobe fire alarm.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by reconstructing the municipal parking lot on Groton Avenue with additional handicapped parking spaces.
CORTLAND Through membership on the NYS Independent Living Council (NYSILC) Travel Sub-Committee, the Center was involved in the development of a travel brochure specifically for persons with disabilities entitled "Promoting a Positive Experience When Using Hotel and Motel Accommodations" that was placed on the NYSILC website.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by installing a curb cut near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Church Street.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by reconstructing the curb cut at the corner of Main St. and Groton Avenue.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by installing a crossing signal that is both accessible and audible at the corner of Church and Court Streets.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by installing a curb cut at the corner of Joy Street and VanHoesen Street.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by installing a crossing signal with an ADA compliant pushbutton at the intersection of Port Watson, Tompkins and Main Streets.
CORTLAND City of Cortland improved access by installing a crossing signal with an ADA compliant pushbutton at the corner of Clinton and Church Streets.
DELAWARE Worcester Town Hall established an appropriate designated parking area for citizens with disabilities.
GLENS FALLS Council Meadows Senior Housing in Burnt Hills added 2 fully accessible rental units and 2 partially accessible rental units.
GLENS FALLS John Burke Apartments in Glens Falls added 1 accessible rental unit.
GLENS FALLS Schermerhorn Apartments in Queensbury added 2 accessible rental units.
HARLEM The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in Whitehall ferry terminal and subway station in Lower Manhattan completing renovations to become accessible.
HARLEM The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) changing its policies regarding the ferry to allow consumers who use wheelchairs to enter and exit on the lower level of the terminals when tides make it difficult to go up or down ramps. The new NYCDOT policies appear on its website.
HARLEM The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Department of Transportation adding a new section to ferry employee's training manual that addresses sensitivity and emergency plans for evacuation of individuals with disabilities. Training is provided through Global Maritime and Transportation School of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.
HARLEM The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Council passing legislation that establishes accessibility standards for commuter ferries operating in New York City to ensure that they are accessible for persons with disabilities.
ITHACA Schulyer County improved the access of the public parking lots adjacent to the County Building in the Village of Watkins Glen by correctly marking accessible parking spaces and enforcing the use of these spaces for those who have permits.
ITHACA Holiday Inn Ithaca now has accessible restrooms in the lobby.
KINGSTON Through membership on the NYS Independent Living Council (NYSILC) Travel Sub-Committee, the Center was involved in the development of a travel brochure specifically for persons with disabilities entitled "Promoting a Positive Experience When Using Hotel and Motel Accommodations" that was placed on the NYSILC website.
KINGSTON The Tea Room, a new restaurant in the Village of New Paltz, now has an accessible route from the parking lot to the building.
KINGSTON Town of New Paltz Town Hall parking lot was modified to include code compliant parking (re-striped with access aisles and new signage).
KINGSTON A municipal parking lot on Plattekill Avenue in New Paltz moved a handicapped parking space so a speed limit sign would not block its access isle.
KINGSTON The historic Governor Clinton Senior Apartments in Kingston installed a ramp and repaved the parking lot.
KINGSTON Town of New Paltz Building Department entrance was modified to a grade level entrance with lever hardware.
LONG ISLAND Town of Hempstead installed multiple additional curb cuts in the following locations: Uniondale - areas bounded by Hempstead Turnpike to the North, Uniondale Avenue to the West, Front Street to the South, and Meadowbrook Parkway to the East; Seaford - areas East and West of Seamans Neck Road.
LONG ISLAND Lanai House Co-operative, a housing complex in Freeport, changed its policy and now provides accessible parking spaces and strictly enforces disabled parking rules.
LONG ISLAND Strip mall at 2101 Merrick Road in Merrick added disabled parking spaces and curb cuts.
LONG ISLAND The Center's work with Disability Rights Council of Greater Washington D.C. in filing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III lawsuit against the retail chain of National Wholesale Liquidators (NWL) was won and resulted in NWL being ordered to ensure that its entire chain meets accessibility guidelines as mandated under ADA.
MANHATTAN New York City Council passed legislation requiring all new vehicles entering yellow taxi service to be accessible effective January 1, 2007.
MANHATTAN The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the modification of the NYS Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legislation and program to include people with disabilities.
MASSENA Newbury Building on Pearl Street in Malone designated one of the three curbside parking spaces as handicapped parking and installed the proper signage.
MIDDLETOWN The Center's Executive Director became a member of the Sullivan County Community Services Board.
MIDDLETOWN United Way of Sullivan County in Monticello repaved and restriped its parking lot and installed accessible parking signage.
NEWBURGH Orange County Department of Social Services adopted a policy that includes Deaf cultural competency/accessibility training for agency staff.
NEWBURGH Newburgh Beacon Bus Corporation adopted a policy assuring the proper training of all transit/driving personnel on disability sensitivity and awareness.
NEWBURGH Orange County Drug Treatment Court adopted a policy assuring the proper training of all court personnel on Deaf sensitivity and awareness.
NEWBURGH Crystal Run Village (serving Sullivan, Orange and Rockland Counties with Main Campus in Middletown) now requires Deaf training of residential staff and provides sign language interpreter services to consumers who are Deaf in their residential program.
OLEAN Olean County Center widened the access isles adjacent to the existing accessible parking spaces.
OLEAN Staples Office Supplies in Olean restriped accessible parking spaces, installed proper signage, and moved the spaces to a more accessible location.
PLATTSBURGH Plattsburgh Public Library made modifications to its restrooms to make them fully accessible.
POUGHKEEPSIE United States Postal Service in Hyde Park made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE Time-Warner Cable in Newburg made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE Poughkeepsie Journal made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and Conference Center made the restrooms fully accessible by installing automatic doors and widening the stalls up to code.
POUGHKEEPSIE Ulster County District Attorney's Office in Kingston made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE The Center Advocate started serving on the Dutchess County Dial-A-Ride Advisory Committee.
POUGHKEEPSIE John C. Buratti and Associates in Yonkers made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE Cohen, Estis and Associates in Goshen made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
QUEENS The Center entered into the ShopABLE New York contract with the Jamaica Business Improvement District (JBID) and received a $10,000 grant to assist local merchants to make their establishments Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
ROCHESTER City of Rochester established an inmate snow shoveling program in collaboration with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department to address snow removal, particularly at or near bus stops.
ROCHESTER United Way of Greater Rochester changed its policy to include the provision of Braille and large print materials as part of their annual fundraising campaign.
ROCKLAND Rockland County Office Building in New City is now equipped with an automatic entry device for the interior lobby door.
STATEN ISLAND The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in Whitehall ferry terminal and subway station in Lower Manhattan completing renovations to become accessible.
STATEN ISLAND Nucci's restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND Lake Club restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND American Grill restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND Bridget's Public House restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND Pastosa's restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Department of Transportation adding a new section to ferry employee's training manual that addresses sensitivity and emergency plans for evacuation of individuals with disabilities. Training is provided through Global Maritime and Transportation School of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.
STATEN ISLAND The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) changing its policies regarding the ferry to allow consumers who use wheelchairs to enter and exit on the lower level of the terminals when tides make it difficult to go up or down ramps. The new NYCDOT policies appear on its website.
STATEN ISLAND The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in NYC Council passing legislation that establishes accessibility standards for commuter ferries operating in New York City to ensure that they are accessible for persons with disabilities.
STATEN ISLAND Penini Grill restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND Choices Café restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND Frozen Yogurt restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
STATEN ISLAND The Center's Executive Director is a member of the Staten Island Inter-Agency Transportation Committee.
STATEN ISLAND The Center's Executive Director is a member of the Board of Directors of Richmond Senior Services in Staten Island that provides various housing programs and related services to persons over age 60 who are capable of independent living and developmentally disabled individuals over the age of 45.
STATEN ISLAND R. H. Tugs restaurant in Staten Island altered its policies to include menus in Braille and large print formats.
SUFFOLK Waverly Super Quick Mart installed a ramp to access the store.
SUFFOLK Friendly Ice Cream Shops in Patchogue was remodeled to include seating for persons who use wheelchairs.
SYRACUSE Convey Municipal Center in City of Oswego changed its handicapped parking to follow Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
SYRACUSE Centerville Court Apartments in Syracuse changed its policy to designate accessible parking and installed a railing.
SYRACUSE Kinney Drug Store in Skaneateles repaved the parking lot and the disabled parking area was placed in front of the entrance with appropriate signage added.
SYRACUSE Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (operating as CNYRTO) Call-A-Bus paratransit serving Onondaga County changed their reservation policy to confirm Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligible rides at time of call instead of day before pick-up.
SYRACUSE A Center staff member and person with a disability became a member of the Resource Development Vulnerable Task Force, meeting to discuss how to increase participation of area agencies providing services for the homeless.
SYRACUSE Carousel Mall in Syracuse repaved its parking lot and properly designated handicapped parking access aisles and signage.
SYRACUSE Centerville Court Apartments, a senior low-income complex in North Syracuse, installed a railing leading to a parking lot and designated an accessible parking space.
TROY The Center was involved in the local effort that led to Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Special Transportation Available by Request (STAR) service changed its application to include people with hidden disabilities and to exclude questions that were more invasive and did not relate to eligibility.
TROY Center staff was asked to work on the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Special Transportation Available by Request (STAR) Review Committee to review training programs for CDTA drivers and make recommendations towards improvement.
UTICA Town of Forestport's municipal building remodeled its bathrooms to bring them into Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
UTICA Utica Rescue Mission's Rutger Street facility changed its practice of constantly using one of the two accessible parking spaces to park a vehicle used by the Mission to transport its participants and agreed to park the vehicle in that space only while loading or unloading participants.
UTICA Madison Plaza Apartments in Rome improved its access by installing proper signage and pavement markings for existing accessible parking, improving some existing ramps, and removing obstacles along an accessible route that posed potential hazards.
UTICA Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency (its main office is in Rome with additional offices in Utica and Herkimer) changed an unwritten policy of not paying for sign language interpreters unless it was for one of "their" consumers and now, as a provider agency, pays for interpreters for individuals who are Deaf.
WATERTOWN Ramada Inn in Watertown made the stall in the ladies room accessible.
WATERTOWN Watertown Citibus System worked with the lift manufacturer to increase the paratransit hydraulic lift capability from 600 lbs to 900 lbs.
WHITE PLAINS Town of Patterson amended their local ordinance to protect people with disabilities who use a service animal.
WHITE PLAINS Target department store in White Plains modified their policies to include provision of a sign language interpreter to individuals who are Deaf during the employment application process.
WHITE PLAINS Village of Brewster passed a resolution protecting people with disabilities who use a service animal.
WHITE PLAINS White Plains Police Department changed its practices to better enforce handicapped parking especially on private lots.
WHITE PLAINS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the modification of the NYS Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legislation and program to include people with disabilities.
WHITE PLAINS Town of Putnam Valley passed a resolution to support the rights of people with disabilities to have a service animal in places of public accommodations.
YONKERS The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the modification of the NYS Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) legislation and program to include people with disabilities.
YONKERS Westchester County funded the development of an accessible housing registry that includes a project to survey 500 apartment buildings.
YONKERS Macy's department store at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers modified an exterior ramp to provide full accessibility. This business is now fully accessible.

Social Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
AUBURN Cayuga Museum in Auburn installed handicap accessible signage for designated parking spots in the Museums parking lot that had not existed before.
AUBURN Booker T. Washington Community Center in Auburn improved its access by installing power door openers to the front of the facility and signage to the accessible entrance. The Community Center is used as an after school program and polling site, and also hosts regular youth and community-wide events.
BATAVIA Java Village Baptist Church now has a fully accessible entryway, complete with a ramp.
BINGHAMTON Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Binghamton installed an accessible pool lift.
BROOKLYN Bethel Church in Brooklyn mow makes available bibles in large print for persons who are visually impaired and seniors and provides sign language interpreters for individuals who are Deaf/hard of hearing.
BUFFALO The Center's work with the local office of the NYS Attorney General resulted in the Erie County Fair changing a possibly discriminatory admission fee policy (wheelchairs-no cost, power scooters-full admission) to one where all persons using mobility devices are admitted free of charge.
CORTLAND Lapeer Church constructed a ramp to make its facilities accessible.
CORTLAND J. M. McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland adjusted the bathroom door and fixtures to make their recreation and fitness activities more structurally accessible to people with disabilities.
CORTLAND Cortland Repertory Theater added an elevator and a new entrance and improved handicapped seating to make the theater accessible.
CORTLAND Fitness Gap in Cortland retro-fitted a universal gym, relocated some of their exercise equipment, and received a donation of an upper-tone, universal machine from the Center in collaboration with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland to make the facility more accessible to people with physical disabilities.
GLENS FALLS The Great Escape Amusement Park at Lake George added 12 accessible parking spaces to accommodate individuals with mobility impairments.
HARLEM SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) Elders) in Manhattan now provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for all social events as needed.
HARLEM Curves Gym located on West 126th and 5th Avenue in Harlem adjusted its sound system for members who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
ITHACA Cayuga Waterfront Trail in Ithaca is now fully accessible to persons with disabilities after completing construction phase #1. Two additional construction phases are planned.
JAMESTOWN Robert H. Jackson Center, a museum in Jamestown, installed an elevator and made the bathroom accessible.
JAMESTOWN Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club Strider Field Athletic Complex of Jamestown made its swimming pool accessible by reconfiguring the pool so the shallow end is closest to the locker room and by purchasing a lift.
JAMESTOWN Bergman Park in Jamestown installed a completely integrated playground facility with rubber matting for easier use by people with mobility impairments.
KINGSTON Morning Star Christian Fellowship church in Kingston made its bathrooms fully accessible.
KINGSTON City of Kingston Office of Economic Development changed its Waterfront Development Standards to improve access for people with disabilities to recreation areas by including statements that any developments or improvements must meet all federal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
KINGSTON Harscrabble Day, a community event in Red Hook, became accessible to persons with disabilities by increasing aisle width and providing accessible portable bathrooms.
LONG ISLAND Levittown Public Library now sponsors a monthly book discussion group called "Disability Literature: Cover to Cover" that meets monthly. A Center staff member will moderate the group until Library staff can be identified and trained to take it over.
MASSENA Collaborative effort with the Massena Valley Garden Club resulted in the Massena Springs Park improving access for persons with disabilities by modifying a walkway to an accessible pier and relocating historical plaques.
MIDDLETOWN Monticello Gymnastics added accessible parking spaces and proper signage to improve wheelchair access.
NEWBURGH Newburgh Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) adopted a policy assuring the proper training of all personnel in the areas of disability awareness and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
NIAGARA FALLS City of Niagara Falls improved the access of Hyde Park to persons with disabilities by making a shelter and the tennis courts accessible.
NIAGARA FALLS City of Niagara Falls improved the access of the neighborhood 13th Street Park by making the gazebo accessible.
NIAGARA FALLS City of Niagara Falls improved the access of the neighborhood Center Court Park by making the gazebo accessible.
POUGHKEEPSIE Arlington Reformed Church in Poughkeepsie created a parking lot with designated handicapped accessible parking spaces, a level walkway from the parking lot to the main building and an accessible bathroom on the main floor, and installed a lift connecting the main floor community room to the fellowship hall downstairs.
ROCKLAND Rockland Lake State Park in Congers installed the following: minimum number of parking spaces required according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) standards, curb cuts in Parking Lot #5, van accessible spots in Field #1 and Field #4, and a reconstructed ramp in the Executive Golf Club.
ROCKLAND Town of Ramapo improved access of Clark Recreation Center by installing a handicapped accessible bathroom and expanding the meeting room to make it navigable to wheelchairs.
SUFFOLK County Fair Entertainment Park in Medford improved access to restrooms and walkways as well as other facilities and purchased a motorized scooter for those with mobility impairments wanting to play their miniature golf course.
SYRACUSE Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) at the Armory in City of Oswego improved the access for the 1st floor restroom for persons with disabilities.
SYRACUSE The NYS Fair held in Syracuse made 2 restrooms in the Science and Technology Building accessible and added directional signs to identify accessible entrances to all buildings.
UTICA Unity Hall (a church-owned facility that is used for church and community functions) in Barneveld made its bathrooms accessible.

Citizenship Advocacy

CENTER EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEM CHANGE
AUBURN Clifford Field House in Auburn became an accessible polling site by modifying its door handles to be opened with a closed fist.
AUBURN Clark Street Firehouse in Auburn became an accessible polling site by replacing its doorknob with a lever style door handle.
AUBURN Moravia Town Hall became an accessible polling site by modifying its door handles to make them accessible and removed two doors to make the hallway and door entrance Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
AUBURN City of Auburn installed a new assistive listening system for its City Council Chambers to assist people who are hard of hearing and attend City Council Meetings.
AUBURN Casey Park in Auburn became an accessible polling site by modifying its door handles so they can be opened with a closed fist.
BINGHAMTON The Center was active in the Independent Living Center statewide effort that led to the passage of the NYS Election Reform and Modernization Act of 2005 that was signed into law on 7/12/05 and deals with accessible voting machines.
BRONX Bronx Borough President re-organized and re-activated the Disabilities Advisory Committee.
BUFFALO Buffalo Psychiatric Center issued a written directive requiring its doctors to write passes for residents who have appropriate privileges and request a pass to go to their polling site.
CORTLAND The Center established the "Go-Getters" advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities that meet weekly for training and information sharing to respond to Action Alerts and act on current issues.
CORTLAND The Center developed through its Statewide Systems Advocacy Network Center an Advocacy Team that meets bi-weekly for training and information sharing to respond to Action Alerts and act on current issues.
CORTLAND Cortland County Board of Elections relocated the Town of Cincinnatus polling site from an inaccessible location to the accessible Cincinnatus Fire Station.
DELAWARE The Center was active in the Independent Living Center statewide effort that led to the passage of the NYS Election Reform and Modernization Act of 2005 that was signed into law on 7/12/05 and deals with accessible voting machines.
DELAWARE Tompkins Town Hall became an accessible polling site by establishing an appropriate designated parking area for citizens with disabilities.
GLENS FALLS City of Glens Falls moved a polling site to the Glens Falls Middle School to improve accessibility.
HARLEM Manhattan Community Board #10 serving Harlem and Polo Grounds created a line item for its budget that sets aside monies for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, states in all literature distributed that an ASL interpreter will be provided upon request, and holds Community board meetings in locations accessible for people who use scooters/chairs.
ITHACA The Center was active in the Independent Living Center statewide effort that led to the passage of the NYS Election Reform and Modernization Act of 2005 that was signed into law on 7/12/05 and deals with accessible voting machines.
JAMESTOWN A network of 18 individuals was formally established and trained to respond appropriately to action alerts.
KINGSTON Town of Saugerties moved a polling site from the Centerville Firehouse that was not accessible to the Grant D. Morse Elementary School that is fully accessible.
LONG ISLAND The Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy was appointed to the newly formed Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged Advisory Committee.
MANHATTAN The Center was active in the Independent Living Center statewide effort that led to the passage of the NYS Election Reform and Modernization Act of 2005 that was signed into law on 7/12/05 and deals with accessible voting machines.
MANHATTAN The Center's participation in New York City (NYC) Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) resulted in the Center being invited to become a member of the NYC Office of Emergency Management's newly formed Advisory Committee on Emergency Preparedness for People with Special Needs.
MASSENA St. Lawrence County Senior Action Council in Canton improved access at its meetings for persons with hearing impairments by purchasing a new and more powerful portable public address system.
MIDDLETOWN Temple Hill Academy Elementary School in New Windsor became an accessible polling site through the following improvements: accessible parking spaces-resized and installed proper signage; path from parking lot to building-added crosswalk with crossing sign; curb ramp-widened, corrected slope and repaired blacktop where pavement meets concrete; walkway from curb to main entrance-installed handrails, leveled surface, corrected rise and cross slope angles, installed proper signage, and installed edge protection; step to main entrance doors-lowered; restroom- made entrances accessible and replaced some child sized fixtures with adult sized fixtures.
MIDDLETOWN New Windsor Elementary School became an accessible polling site through the following improvements: accessible parking-resized spaces and installed proper signage; path from parking lot to building-added crosswalk with crossing sign and corrected cross slope angle; gymnasium where voting takes place-widened door; vehicular lane that is part of an accessible route-corrected pavement slope angle; sidewalk from parking lot to main entry-repaired; and step to entrance door-lowered.
NEWBURGH Orange County Board of Elections in Goshen adopted a policy assuring the proper training of all polling site workers, on disability sensitivity and awareness.
OLEAN City of Salamanca improved the access of a polling site at the Salamanca Volunteer Fire Company Hall by creating accessible parking spaces with access isles.
OLEAN Cattaraugus County Board of Elections in Little Valley incorporated the Center's "Practicing Disability Etiquette" training as part of the training program for town clerks and polling workers.
PLATTSBURGH Advocacy and Resource Center of Clinton County (ARC), participating in the Center's newly formed Disability Voter Coalition, agreed to make its vehicles available to transport any person with a disability to the polls on election days.
PLATTSBURGH Senior Citizen's Council of Clinton County, participating in the Center's newly formed Disability Voter Coalition, agreed to make its vehicles available to transport any person with a disability to the polls on election days.
PLATTSBURGH Clinton County Office for the Aging, participating in the Center's newly formed Disability Voter Coalition, agreed to make its vehicles available to transport any person with a disability to the polls on election days.
POUGHKEEPSIE Rochdale Fire House (Arlington Station #4) became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it established a new system of signs and colored cones to designate handicapped accessible parking.
POUGHKEEPSIE New Hamburg Fire Company #2 (East End Fire House in Wappingers Falls) became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it established new system of signs and colored cones to designate handicapped accessible parking.
POUGHKEEPSIE Sheafe Road Elementary School (Wappingers Falls) became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it directed polling inspectors to open doors upon request using a bell.
POUGHKEEPSIE Oak Grove Elementary School became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it installed signage to indicate handicapped entrance.
POUGHKEEPSIE St. Mary's School (Wappingers Falls) became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it installed handicapped access ramp with bell and directed polling inspectors to open doors upon request.
POUGHKEEPSIE Children's Home of Poughkeepsie became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it moved its polling station to the dining room in the main building that has a handicapped access ramp.
POUGHKEEPSIE Red Oaks Mill Fire House became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it installed signage to indicate handicapped accessible entrance and parking at rear of building.
POUGHKEEPSIE New Hamburg Fire Company #1 in Town of Poughkeepsie became an accessible polling site since it installed a ramp to voting machines and directed polling inspectors to open doors upon request.
POUGHKEEPSIE Arlington Middle School became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it created a new entrance to the building with handicapped accessible parking in front.
POUGHKEEPSIE St Martin de Porres Nativity Center became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it moved to a new location when the original site closed at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church.
POUGHKEEPSIE Violet Avenue Elementary School became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it created a marked crosswalk and handicapped parking area with cones in front of building.
POUGHKEEPSIE Fairview Fire House became an accessible polling site for the Town of Poughkeepsie since it established a new system of signs and colored cones to designate handicapped accessible parking.
ROCHESTER Monroe County Board of Elections adopted and implemented a policy of providing the Voter Bill of Rights in Braille at all polling locations.
SYRACUSE A Center staff member, who is also a person with a disability, became a member of Onondaga County Human Needs Task Force to assure that needs of persons with disabilities are considered in plans for countywide emergencies.
SYRACUSE A Center staff member, who is also a consumer, became a member of the League of Women Voters.
WATERTOWN Lewis County improved access for voters with disabilities in Crogham by designating a new polling site for Districts 2 and 4 in the new Crogham fire hall on Fire Hall Street.
WATERTOWN Lewis County improved access for voters with disabilities in Diana by designating a new polling site that serves both election districts at the town municipal office on Route 3 just east of Harrisville.
WATERTOWN Lewis County improved access for voters with disabilities in Denmark by designating a new polling site that serves all three election districts at the new town municipal building on Roberts Road just outside Dear River.
WATERTOWN Lewis County improved access for voters with disabilities in Crogham by designating a new polling site for Districts 1, 3, and 5 at the town municipal office on Route 126 in Beaver Falls.
WHITE PLAINS Presbyterian Church of White Plains became an accessible polling site by installing signage directing all voters to an accessible entrance and moving the voting area closer to this entrance.
YONKERS Town of North Castle agreed in writing to establish temporary accessible parking spaces at polling place locations for the next election.
YONKERS Yorktown Town Hall became an accessible polling site by increasing the number of accessible parking spaces that access the main floor and blacktopping the existing 3-4 inch lip where the parking lot meets the curb ramp in the rear parking lot.
YONKERS Town of Eastchester agreed in writing to establish temporary accessible parking spaces at polling place locations for the next election.
YONKERS Town of North Salem agreed in writing to establish temporary accessible parking spaces at polling place locations for the next election.
YONKERS The Center was active in the Independent Living Center statewide effort that led to the passage of the NYS Election Reform and Modernization Act of 2005 that was signed into law on 7/12/05 and deals with accessible voting machines.
YONKERS Town of Bedford agreed in writing to establish temporary accessible parking spaces at polling place locations for the next election.

 

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