NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOME RESULTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Each reporting period includes a narrative summary and data reports.

• October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005
• October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006
• October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007
• October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008
• October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009

The Role of Independent Living Centers in
Bringing About Community and Systems Change
2004-2005

New York's 36 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) receive over $10.1 million to provide an array of independent living services to individuals and to advocate for and lead change to systems affecting the lives of people with disabilities. "Systems Change", in the context of New York State's Independent Living Standards, Performance Measures and Data Collection Guide means, "Permanent change to policies, practices, decisions and environments in the public and/or private sector that control resources necessary to enhance integration, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities as a group".

Each of the 36 Independent Living Centers must achieve three results of community and systems change per year under contract with the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). VESID has established six distinct domains of systems change in areas of Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social and Citizenship. Furthermore, tracking within categories is also done to group similar results together within each domain. For instance, within the Education domain, results are grouped if they have had an impact on A. transition services, B. receipt of funding for non-pre-K through university or business programs, or C. if the result demonstrated integration of a new educational component into a curriculum. Under the Health Care domain, results are grouped if they addressed A. legislation/regulation/policy, B. consumer directed personal assistance or C. increased access to physician offices/clinics.

A detailed analysis of results are maintained in a systems change inventory database to determine frequency of specific types of systems change in each domain and the number of results in subcategories of each domain. Results are shared with the field on an annual basis to report on outcomes and provide opportunities for exchanges of best practices. Below is a sampling of results from the reporting period, October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005. During the same reporting period, the network of 36 ILCs served over 76,000 individuals with and without disabilities with direct services.

Over 350 instances of results of community and systems change were accomplished by the New York State network of Independent Living Centers with 97 percent of ILCs achieving the required three or more outcomes. Three ILCs achieved results in each of the six domains of systems change.

The most frequently occurring outcomes of community and systems change are:

• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III. covered public and private entities into full compliance with accessibility standards under the law. There were 40 successful instances where ILCs worked with owners of such entities as supermarkets, banks, restaurants, malls, etc. to increase access to marketplace goods and services.
• Ensuring that polling sites are fully accessible from parking to walkways, to indoor facilities and restrooms. There were 36 instances of enhanced polling site access.
• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. covered entities into full compliance with access standards under the law. There were 33 instances where ILCs worked with local town and county governments to address full access to buildings, programs and services such as libraries, courts, town halls, etc.
• Ensuring that hospitals, physician offices and public and private clinics provide both accessible facilities and services. There were 25 instances of enhanced health care access.
• Ensuring that parks and other places of public recreation are fully accessible. There were 10 instances where ILCs facilitated accessibility by working with local, county or state officials to make parks, playgrounds, fishing docks and piers, and other recreational sites accessible to all.
• Ensuring that schools pre-k through college including both public and private are accessible physically and programmatically. There were 9 instances of enhanced school access.

Some unique results that span the range of domains include the following:

Education

• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Amsterdam achieved systems change in Education since Center staff was invited to join and is co-chairing the Magnet School Exploration Committee that has 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.
• Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) in New York City achieved systems change in Education when 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.
• Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) in White Plains achieved systems change in Education since Edgemont Union Free School District in Scarsdale implemented a fee for service agreement with the Center to provide transition planning services.

Employment

• Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP) in Buffalo achieved systems change in Employment since Christopher & 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).
• Catskill Center for Independence (CCFI) in Oneonta achieved systems change in Employment since 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.
• Independent Living, Inc. (ILI.) in Newburgh achieved systems change in Employment when 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 transitioning from school to adult life.
• Directions in Independent Living (DIL) in Olean achieved systems change in Employment since The Employment Connection, a division of the Rehabilitation Center, in Olean implemented a DIL developed job club for adults with disabilities that adapted the Center's N.E.X.T. Step Program designed for students in transition.

Health Care

• AIM Independent Living Center (AILC) in Corning achieved systems change in Health Care since 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.
• Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) in New York City achieved systems change in Health Care since 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.
• Taconic Resources for Independence (TRI) in Poughkeepsie achieved systems change in Health Care since 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/hard of hearing.
• Westchester Disabled on the Move (WDOM) in Yonkers achieved systems change in Health Care when the 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

• Genesee Region Independent Living Center (GRILC) in Batavia achieved systems change in Commerce since City of Batavia's new City Center installed automatic door openers that had been omitted during its construction.
• Capital District Center for Independence (CDCI) in Albany achieved systems change in Commerce since the Center was involved in the local effort that led to the 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.
• Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) in New York City achieved systems change in Commerce when 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.
• Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) in Levittown achieved systems change in Commerce since 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.

Social

• Southwestern Independent Living Center (SILC) in Jamestown achieved systems change in Social since 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.
• Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL) in Kingston achieved systems change in Social since 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 ADA.
• Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC) in Nanuet achieved systems change in Social since Rockland Lake State Park in Congers installed the following: minimum number of parking spaces required according to 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.
• ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Social since the New York State 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.

Citizenship

• Options for Independence (OFI) in Auburn achieved systems change in Citizenship when the City of Auburn installed a new assistive listening system for its City Council Chambers to assist people who are hard of hearing that attend City Council Meetings.
• Access to Independence of Cortland County (ATI) in Cortland achieved systems change in Citizenship since 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.
• Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL) in Queensbury achieved systems change in Citizenship since the City of Glens Falls moved a polling site to the Glens Falls Middle School to improve accessibility.
• Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) in New York City achieved systems change in Citizenship since 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.

OCTOBER 1, 2004 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
STATEWIDE DATA REPORT

SYSTEM CHANGE DOMAINS	OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
	# of ILCs	% of 36 ILCs	# of OUTCOMES	% of TOTAL OUTCOMES
EDUCATION	28	78%	51	14%
EMPLOYMENT	19	53%	23	6%
HEALTH CARE	26	72%	69	20%
COMMERCE	33	92%	119	34%
SOCIAL	21	58%	34	10%
CITIZENSHIP	24	67%	56	16%
TOTAL			352	100%

 

OCTOBER 1, 2004 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZENSHIP	RESULTS*
									TOTAL	S	U
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence	X	X		X			3	X
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-Amsterdam	X		X	X			3	X
3	Auburn	Options for Independence	X			X	X	X	4	X
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center	X			X	X		3	X
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services	X		X			X	3	X
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled	X			X	X		3	X
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living Project	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X			4	X
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence		X	X	X		X	4	X
12	Glens Falls	Glens Falls Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
14	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center			X	X	X	X	4	X
15	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center			X		X	X	3	X
16	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
17	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living	X			X	X	X	4	X
18	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
19	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
20	Middletown	Action Toward Independence	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
21	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
22	Niagara Falls	Niagara Frontier Center for Independent Living	X		X		X		3	X
23	Olean	Directions in Independent Living		X	X	X		X	4	X
24	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence	X	X		X		X	4	X
25	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence		X	X	X	X	X	5	X
26	Queens	Queens Independent Living Center				X			1		X
27	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living			X	X		X	3	X
28	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center		X		X	X		3	X
29	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X			4	X
30	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	X			X	X		3	X
31	Syracuse	ARISE	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
32	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley	X	X	X	X			4	X
33	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living-Utica	X	X		X	X		4	X
34	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
35	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
36	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOME			28	19	26	33	21	24		35	1
% of ALL ILCs			78%	53%	72%	92%	58%	67%

 

2004-2005 EXPLANATION OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
S - Successful = 3 or more	35		36		97%
U - Unsuccessful = less than 3	1		36		3%
Total	36		36		100%

 

2004-2005 BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
0	0		36		0%
1	1		36		3%
2	0		36		0%
3	10		36		28%
4	11		36		31%
5	8		36		22%
6	6		36		16%
Total	36		36		100%

The Role of Independent Living Centers in
Bringing About Community and Systems Change
2005-2006

New York's 36 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) receive over $10.7 million to provide an array of independent living services to individuals and to advocate for and lead change to systems affecting the lives of people with disabilities. "Systems Change", in the context of New York State's Independent Living Standards, Performance Measures and Data Collection Guide means, Permanent change to policies, practices, decisions and environments in the public and/or private sector that control resources necessary to enhance integration, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities as a group.

Each of the 36 Independent Living Centers must achieve three results of community and systems change per year under contract with the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). VESID has established six distinct domains of systems change in areas of Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social and Citizenship. Furthermore, tracking within categories is also done to group similar results together within each domain. For instance, within the Education domain, results are grouped if they have had an impact on A. transition services, B. receipt of funding for pre-K through university or business programs, or C. if the result demonstrated integration of a new educational component into a curriculum. Under the Health Care domain, results are grouped if they addressed A. legislation/regulation/policy, B. consumer directed personal assistance or C. increased access to physician offices/clinics.

A detailed analysis of results are maintained in a systems change inventory database to determine frequency of specific types of systems change in each domain and the number of results in subcategories of each domain. Results are shared with the field on an annual basis to report on outcomes and provide opportunities for exchanges of best practices. Below is a sampling of results from the reporting period, October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006. During the same reporting period, the network of 36 ILCs served over 81,000 individuals with and without disabilities with direct services.

Over 300 instances of results of community and systems change were accomplished by the New York State network of Independent Living Centers with 94 percent of ILCs achieving the required three or more outcomes. Two ILCs achieved results in each of the six domains of systems change. These centers are AIM Independent Living Center (AIM) in Corning and Southwestern Independent Living Center (SILC) in Jamestown. The two ILCs with the highest number of occasions of systems change are AIM Independent Living Center with 51 and Taconic Resources for Independence (TRI) in Poughkeepsie with 22.

The most frequently occurring outcomes of community and systems change are:

• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III. covered public and private entities into full compliance with accessibility standards under the law. There were 63 successful instances where ILCs worked with owners of such entities as supermarkets, banks, restaurants, malls, etc. to increase access to marketplace goods and services.
• Ensuring that polling sites are fully accessible from parking to walkways, to indoor facilities and restrooms. There were 29 instances of enhanced polling site access.
• Ensuring that hospitals, physician offices and public and private clinics provide both accessible facilities and services. There were 26 instances of enhanced health care access.
• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. covered entities into full compliance with access standards under the law. There were 25 instances where ILCs worked with local town and county governments to address full access to buildings, programs and services such as libraries, courts, town halls, etc.
• Ensuring that parks and other places of public recreation are fully accessible. There were 10 instances where ILCs facilitated accessibility by working with local, county or state officials to make parks, playgrounds, fishing docks and piers, and other recreational sites accessible to all.
• Ensuring that schools pre-k through college including both public and private are accessible physically and programmatically. There were 8 instances of enhanced school access.

Some unique results that span the range of domains include the following:

Education

Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Amsterdam achieved systems change in Education since the Amsterdam City School District modified its policy to advise students with disabilities about transitional services at the beginning of the 11th grade rather than later in the 12th grade and increased the parental involvement of Spanish speaking families in their children's education by creating and launching a Spanish Web site for parents and students at http://www.gasd.org/spanish/index.htm. This Web site helps Spanish speaking families with children who are disabled to become and stay involved in their children's education.

Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC) in Binghamton achieved systems change in Education when the Binghamton City School District purchased $25,000 worth of Learning Software to assist students with disabilities in improving/achieving better academic outcomes.

Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) in Levittown achieved systems change in Education since the Nassau Community College Center for Students with Disabilities entered into a formal agreement for the Center to conduct its specially designed curriculum entitled "Empowerment Through Independent Living: Exploring the History, Philosophy, and Culture of the Disability Rights Movement" for faculty and staff in a train-the-trainer format to be provided at least once per semester.

Employment

Access to Independence of Cortland County (ATI) in Cortland achieved systems change in Employment when a collaborative funding application with J. M. Murray Center in Cortland to the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) was approved for a Peer Mentoring and Supports for Employment grant to assist people with disabilities to obtain community employment by pairing them with a mentor who has successfully navigated this path.

Independent Living, Inc. (ILI.) in Newburgh achieved systems change in Employment since the Feders Acura automobile dealership in Middletown modified its established policies and procedures to provide reasonable accommodation to employees who are Deaf.

North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) in Plattsburgh achieved systems change in Employment when the Ray Brook Federal Correctional Facility created an accessible entrance for its employees who are disabled by installing a ramp between the inside of the gated entrance to the top of the first staircase into the building and by installing a small footprint lift to overcome the steps between the foyer and the ground floor.

Health Care

Genesee Region Independent Living Center (GRILC) in Batavia achieved systems change in Health Care since the NYS Department of Health agreed to ensure Medicaid health plan compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) before initiating mandatory enrollment of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries into such plans by requesting updated ADA compliance plans, reviewing them, and recommending corrective action, if indicated.

AIM Independent Living Center (AIM) in Corning achieved systems change in Health Care since the Arnot Ogden Medical Center Hospital in Elmira installed videophone services - one for patients who are Deaf and one for staff use.

Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) in New York City achieved systems change in Health Care when the Mobile Dental Clinic provided American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and/or other communication methods for patients who are Deaf, hard of hearing or Deaf Blind and changed its flyer to promote these services to the community. The Clinic's administrative office is in Brooklyn but provides dental services in all five boroughs by way of a board certified, licensed dental van.

Commerce

Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP) in Buffalo achieved systems change in Commerce since the Erie County Department of Mental Health in Buffalo created the Home Ownership Process for Everyone (HOPE) Program as an ongoing resource available to persons who are disabled on benefits and interested in purchasing a home.

Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) in Ithaca achieved systems change in Commerce when the City of Ithaca Department of Public Works amended its policy on sidewalks, snow and ice to state that sidewalks will be free from snow and ice for the full paved width of such sidewalk within 24 hours after the beginning of a snowfall.

Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) in White Plains achieved systems change in Commerce since the Center and another ILC (Westchester Disabled on the Move (WDOM) in Yonkers) worked with Westchester Residential Opportunities to develop an Accessible Apartment Building Guide that is available on the Westchester County Department of Planning Web site http://www.westchestergov.com/planning/housing. It was compiled from a survey of over 700 multi-family dwellings in Westchester County to determine the degree of access for persons with mobility impairments.

Social

Options for Independence (OFI) in Auburn achieved systems change in Social since the Auburn Public Theatre, a new arts complex in Auburn that includes live theater events, music venue and a soon-to-be-open movie theater, improved its access by adding a permanent ramp to the stage so that actors who use a wheelchair could access the stage.

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) in New York City achieved systems change in Social when the Miller Evangelical Christian Union Church in Brooklyn moved from an inaccessible building to a new building that includes fully accessible bathrooms with grab bars and ramps to access two of the three front entrances. Also, the Church now offers Hymns in large print by Power Point projection.

Massena Independent Living Center (MILC) in Massena achieved systems change in Social when the St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament now provides for the reservation of wheelchair accessible fishing locations for participants with disabilities. Held in the St. Lawrence River corridor from Ogdensburg to the Town of Louisville, the tournament previously assigned fishing sites by random draw.

Citizenship

Catskill Center for Independence (CCFI) in Oneonta achieved systems change in Citizenship since the "accessible" voting machine was moved from the Delaware County Board of Elections (BOE) building in Delhi to the Delhi Town Hall because the BOE building was not accessible.

Southwestern Independent Living Center (SILC) in Jamestown achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Chautauqua County Board of Elections agreed to make accessible transportation available through local providers to assist consumers in gaining access to the 5 designated polling sites with accessible voting machines.

ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Citizenship since an individual with a disability now serves on the Oswego County Emergency Evacuation Committee, and Committee meetings were moved to an accessible location.

OCTOBER 1, 2005 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
STATEWIDE DATA REPORT

SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS	OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
	# of ILCs	% of 36 ILCs	# of OUTCOMES	% of TOTAL OUTCOMES
EDUCATION	20	56%	35	11%
EMPLOYMENT	19	53%	28	8%
HEALTH CARE	23	64%	63	19%
COMMERCE	33	92%	123	38%
SOCIAL	20	56%	28	9%
CITIZENSHIP	23	64%	49	15%
TOTAL			326	100%

 

OCTOBER 1, 2005 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZENSHIP	RESULTS*
									TOTAL	S	U
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-Amsterdam	X	X		X		X	4	X
3	Auburn	Options for Independence			X	X	X	X	4	X
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center		X	X	X			3	X
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services		X			X	X	3	X
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled				X	X	X	3	X
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living Project			X	X	X		3	X
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County		X	X	X	X	X	5	X
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
12	Glens Falls	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X			4	X
14	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
15	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
16	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living	X		X		X	X	4	X
17	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living	X	X		X		X	4	X
18	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York			X	X		X	3	X
19	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center		X		X	X	X	4	X
20	Middletown	Action Toward Independence	X			X	X	X	4	X
21	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
22	Niagara Falls	Niagara Frontier Center for Independent Living		X		X			2		X
23	Olean	Directions in Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
24	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence		X	X	X			3	X
25	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence	X		X	X	X		4	X
26	Queens	Queens Independent Living Center							0		X
27	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living	X			X		X	3	X
28	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center		X		X	X		3	X
29	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X			4	X
30	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	X			X	X		3	X
31	Syracuse	ARISE	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
32	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley	X	X	X	X			4	X
33	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living-Utica	X	X		X	X		4	X
34	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
35	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
36	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOME			28	19	26	33	21	24		35	1
% of ALL ILCs			78%	53%	72%	92%	58%	67%

 

2005-2006 *EXPLANATION OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
S - Successful = 3 or more	34		36		94%
U - Unsuccessful = less than 3	2		36		6%
Total	36		36		100%

 

2005-2006 BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
0	1		36		3%
1	0		36		0%
2	1		36		3%
3	11		36		31%
4	14		36		39%
5	7		36		18%
6	2		36		6%
Total	36		36		100%

The Role of Independent Living Centers in
Bringing About Community and Systems Change
2006-2007

New York's 36 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) receive over $10.7 million to provide an array of independent living services to individuals and to advocate for and lead change to systems affecting the lives of people with disabilities. "Systems Change", in the context of New York State's Independent Living Standards, Performance Measures and Data Collection Guide means, "Permanent change to policies, practices, decisions and environments in the public and/or private sector that control resources necessary to enhance integration, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities as a group".

Each of the 36 Independent Living Centers must achieve three results of community and systems change per year under contract with the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). VESID has established six distinct domains of systems change in areas of Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social and Citizenship. Furthermore, tracking within categories is also done to group similar results together within each domain. For instance, within the Education domain, results are grouped if they have had an impact on A. transition services, B. receipt of funding for pre-K through university or business programs, or C. if the result demonstrated integration of a new educational component into a curriculum. Under the Health Care domain, results are grouped if they addressed A. legislation/regulation/policy, B. consumer directed personal assistance or C. increased access to physician offices/clinics.

A detailed analysis of results are maintained in a systems change inventory database to determine frequency of specific types of systems change in each domain and the number of results in subcategories of each domain. Results are shared with the field on an annual basis to report on outcomes and provide opportunities for exchanges of best practices. Below is a sampling of results from the reporting period, October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007. During the same reporting period, the network of 36 ILCs served over 71,000 individuals with and without disabilities with direct services.

Close to 400 instances of results of community and systems change were accomplished by the New York State network of Independent Living Centers with 94 percent of ILCs achieving the required three or more outcomes. Three ILCs achieved results in each of the six domains of systems change. These centers are Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC) in Binghamton, AIM Independent Living Center (AIM) in Corning, and Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) in White Plains. The two ILCs with the highest number of occasions of systems change are Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SICIL) in Staten Island with 32 and Southern Tier Independence Center with 29.

The most frequently occurring outcomes of community and systems change are:

• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III. covered public and private entities into full compliance with accessibility standards under the law. There were 36 successful instances where ILCs worked with owners of such entities as supermarkets, banks, restaurants, malls, etc. to increase access to marketplace goods and services.
• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. covered entities into full compliance with access standards under the law. There were 27 instances where ILCs worked with local town and county governments to address full access to buildings, programs and services such as libraries, courts, town halls, etc.
• Ensuring that hospitals, physician offices and public and private clinics provide both accessible facilities and services. There were 27 instances of enhanced health care access.
• Ensuring that schools pre-kindergarten through college including both public and private are accessible physically and programmatically. There were 13 instances of enhanced school access.
• Ensuring that parks and other places of public recreation are fully accessible. There were 12 instances where ILCs facilitated accessibility by working with local, county or state officials to make parks, playgrounds, fishing docks and piers, and other recreational sites accessible to all.
• Ensuring that polling sites are fully accessible from parking to walkways, to indoor facilities and restrooms. There were 8 instances of enhanced polling site access.
• Increasing the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. There were 7 instances where ILCs worked with local and regional One-Stop Centers to improve physical and programmatic accessibility.

Some unique results that span the range of domains include the following:

Education

• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Amsterdam achieved systems change in Education since the Amsterdam City School District changed its procedures to have the Special Education staff provide a Benefits Information Fact Sheet, which was developed by RCIL and translated into Spanish, to all parents and special education students at all CSE meetings;
• Action Toward Independence (ATI) in Middletown achieved systems change in Education since Southeast regional Disability And Business Technical Assistance Center permanently changed three final exam questions on its online Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) course ensuring people with learning disabilities opportunity to take this curriculum.
• ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Education since West Genesee Senior High School in Camillus improved access to its softball field by providing a temporary accommodation of using a golf cart to shuttle persons with disabilities to the field until other more permanent access solutions are created.

Employment

• ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Employment since the Syracuse Post Standard daily newspaper installed automatic door openers and a lift to make the path of travel from its parking garage to the office area accessible for a recently hired employee who has a disability.
• Independent Living, Inc. (ILI.) in Newburgh achieved systems change in Employment since Center contracted with the Washingtonville Central School District to provide support services to transition students from school to work
• Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC) in Rockland achieved systems change in Employment since Grecia's Unisex Salon in West Haverstraw now provides its employment application in a format that is accessible for persons who are visually impaired.

Health Care

• Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) in Manhattan achieved systems change in Health Care since the NYS Department of Health implemented changes in the processing of durable medical equipment (DME) requests to make them more readily accessible and now: requires prior approval only in limited circumstances; provides a process that is fast, user-friendly and effective; trains staff on changes with an emphasis on customer service; educates stakeholders; provides controls to encourage professional and ethical provider practices; and actively monitors fraud and abuse.
• Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC) in Niagara Falls achieved systems change in Health Care since the Center established a Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) Program in Niagara County.
• Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SICIL) in Staten Island achieved systems change in Health Care since the Staten Island University Hospital changed its policies and now offers patient informational materials in alternate formats.

Commerce

• Capital District Center for Independence (CDCI) in Albany achieved systems change in Commerce since the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Special Transportation Available by Request (STAR) improved service by revising Handbook policies and procedures and by implementing new systems that included a revised reservations process and utilization of taxis to help meet demand.
• Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) in Harlem achieved systems change in Commerce since a cable television station, News 12 The Bronx, now provides closed captioning for its viewers who are Deaf and hard of hearing. The station is a member of the News 12 Networks that comprises seven regional cable news channels in the New York metropolitan area offering local news 24-hours a day.
• Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SICIL) in Staten Island achieved systems change in Commerce since the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island installed a "Talking Kiosk" to help direct passengers who are disabled. The ShopABLE NYC Program provided $20,000 in funding to the West Brighton Local Development Corporation (WBLDC) to create the Kiosk.

Social

• Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL) in Buffalo achieved systems change in Social since Buffalo Zoo changed its policies and practices regarding media releases so that they promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in zoo events and activities.
• Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) in Ithaca achieved systems change in Social since Ithaca Festival now publishes in its program all venues that will be American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted, previously ASL interpreted events could only be identified by telephoning the Festival office.
• Action Toward Independence (ATI) in Middletown achieved systems change in Social since International Paper John Dillon Park in Long Lake no longer requires documentation of disability for admission to the park, changed its website to reflect policy change from restricting the campground to people with disabilities to admitting the general public to promote community integration, and improved bathroom access at each campsite by changing to stall-type walls to provide adequate turning space and by installing grab bars.

Citizenship

• Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL) in Kingston achieved systems change in Citizenship since the City of Kingston Assessors Office implemented new procedures for tax reduction based upon documented disabilities to ensure that all residents who apply will be given the proper information and tax reduction.
• Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) in Levittown achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Center formally established Disability Rights Initiative for Voter Empowerment (DRIVE) a civic group comprised of a core group of persons with disabilities to ensure that candidates for public office, political representatives, and government officials are aware of the issues and concerns of importance to voters with disabilities. The group received training on issues such as the basic political process, the importance of legislation, and New York State's failure to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
• North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) in Plattsburgh achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Clinton County Board of Elections changed its policies to permit people with disabilities to use the accessible polling machine in the same room as other voters at the Clinton County Government Center, formerly they had been required to vote in a separate location.

OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
STATEWIDE DATA REPORT

SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS	OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
	# of ILCs	% of 36 ILCs	# of OUTCOMES	% of TOTAL OUTCOMES
EDUCATION	27	75%	62	16%
EMPLOYMENT	12	33%	28	7%
HEALTH CARE	30	83%	99	26%
COMMERCE	34	94%	138	36%
SOCIAL	20	56%	32	8%
CITIZENSHIP	22	61%	29	7%
TOTAL			388	100%

 

OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZENSHIP	RESULTS*
									TOTAL	S	U
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence	X			X	X		3	X
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-satellite	X		X	X		X	4	X
3	Auburn	Options for Independence			X	X	X	X	4	X
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center		X	X	X	X	x	5	X
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services			X	X			2		X
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled	X			X	X	X	4	X
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP)			X	X	X	X	4	X
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence		X		X	X		3	X
12	Glens Falls	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	X		X	X			3	X
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
14	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
15	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center		X	X	X	X		4	X
16	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
17	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
18	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York	X		X	X			3	X
19	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center	X		X	X		X	4	X
20	Middletown	Action Toward Independence	X		X	X	X		4	X
21	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
22	Niagara Falls	Independent Living of Niagara County-WNYILP satellite			X	X	X		3	X
23	Olean	Directions in Independent Living	X			X		X	3	X
24	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence				X		X	2		X
25	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence	X		X	X	X		4	X
26	Queens	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York-satellite			X	X		X	3	X
27	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
28	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center	X	X		X		X	4	X
29	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X			4	X
30	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	X		X		X		3	X
31	Syracuse	ARISE	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
32	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
33	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living	X		X			X	3	X
34	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
35	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
36	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move	X	X	X	X			4	X
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOME			27	12	30	34	20	22		34	2
% of ALL ILCs			75%	33%	83%	94%	56%	61%

 

October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007 *EXPLANATION OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
S - Successful = 3 or more	34		36		94%
U - Unsuccessful = less than 3	2		36		6%
Total	36		36		100%

 

October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007 BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
0	0		36		0%
1	0		36		0%
2	2		36		6%
3	9		36		25%
4	14		36		39%
5	8		36		22%
6	3		36		8%
Total	36		36		100%

The Role of Independent Living Centers in
Bringing About Community and Systems Change
2007-2008

New York's 39 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) receive over $13.2 million to provide an array of independent living services to individuals and to advocate for and lead change to systems affecting the lives of people with disabilities. "Systems Change", in the context of New York State's Independent Living Standards, Performance Measures and Data Collection Guide means, "Permanent change to policies, practices, decisions and environments in the public and/or private sector that control resources necessary to enhance integration, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities as a group".

Each of the 39 Independent Living Centers must achieve three results of community and systems change per year under contract with the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). VESID has established six distinct domains of systems change in areas of Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social and Citizenship. Furthermore, tracking within categories is also done to group similar results together within each domain. For instance, within the Education domain, results are grouped if they have had an impact on A. transition services, B. receipt of funding for pre-Kindergarten through university or business programs, or C. if the result demonstrated integration of a new educational component into a curriculum. Under the Health Care domain, results are grouped if they addressed A. legislation/regulation/policy, B. consumer directed personal assistance or C. increased access to physician offices/clinics.

A detailed analysis of results are maintained in a systems change inventory database to determine frequency of specific types of systems change in each domain and the number of results in subcategories of each domain. Results are shared with the field on an annual basis to report on outcomes and provide opportunities for exchanges of best practices. Below is a sampling of results from the reporting period, October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008. During the same reporting period, the network of 39 ILCs served over 80,000 individuals with and without disabilities with direct services.

Over 400 instances of results of community and systems change were accomplished by the New York State network of Independent Living Centers with 100 percent of ILCs achieving the required three or more outcomes. Three ILCs achieved results in each of the six domains of systems change. These centers are Access to Independence of Cortland County in Cortland, Southern Tier Independence Center in Binghamton, and Catskill Center for Independence in Oneonta. The three ILCs with the highest number of occasions of systems change are Southern Tier Independence Center with 35, Southern Adirondack Independent Living in Glens Falls with 21, and Taconic Resources for Independence in Poughkeepsie with 21.

The most frequently occurring outcomes of community and systems change are:

• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III. covered public and private entities into full compliance with accessibility standards under the law. There were 32 successful instances where ILCs worked with owners of such entities as supermarkets, banks, restaurants, malls, etc. to increase access to marketplace goods and services.
• Ensuring that polling sites are fully accessible from parking to walkways, to indoor facilities and restrooms. There were 26 instances of enhanced polling site access.
• Ensuring that hospitals, physician offices and public and private clinics provide both accessible facilities and services. There were 24 instances of enhanced health care access.
• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II. covered entities into full compliance with access standards under the law. There were 18 instances where ILCs worked with local town and county governments to address full access to buildings, programs and services such as libraries, courts, town halls, etc.
• Ensuring that schools pre-kindergarten through college including both public and private are accessible physically and programmatically. There were 16 instances of enhanced school access.
• Increasing the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. There were 9 instances where ILCs worked with local and regional One-Stop Centers to improve physical and programmatic accessibility.
• Ensuring that parks and other places of public recreation are fully accessible. There were 5 instances where ILCs facilitated accessibility by working with local, county or state officials to make parks, playgrounds, fishing docks and piers, and other recreational sites accessible to all.

Some unique results that span the range of domains include the following:

Education

• Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) in Brooklyn achieved systems change in Education since the Clara Barton High school in Brooklyn established an agreement with the Center to conduct a Saturday workshop for parents of children with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes training in the IEP process, parent advocacy, and networking opportunities.
• Catskill Center for Independence (CCFI) in Oneonta achieved systems change in Education since the Riverside Elementary School in Oneonta purchased new cafeteria tables that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); placed accessible signage to identify room numbers; adjusted the pull force of the interior doors to comply with ADAAG; and installed a door bell for the exterior doors due to the extreme force required to open them.
• Staten Island Center for Independent Living (SICIL) in Staten Island achieved systems change in Education since the Center was active in the regional effort that led to the successful settlement of the lawsuit L.V. et al. v. New York City Department of Education et al. that was brought by Advocates for Children of New York and the law firm of Milbank,Tweed, Hadley and McCloy. The class action lawsuit filed in 2003 challenged the systemic failure of the New York City Department of education (DOE) to timely and fully implement orders of impartial hearing officers assigned to resolve disputes over special education services. Under the settlement agreement, DOE agreed to comply with a series of benchmarks for implementation of orders going forward and that an independent Auditor would monitor its compliance with the benchmarks.

Employment

• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Amsterdam achieved systems change in Employment since the Working Solutions One-Stop Center in Amsterdam changed its registration process to permit applications to be completed in advance offsite, which provides more employment opportunities for persons with significant disabilities as it alleviates stress and confusion during the process and allows more time for questions.
• Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) in Bronx achieved systems change in Employment since the JC Penny department store corporate headquarters in Texas changed its recruitment policy from requiring all employment applicants to apply through the store's national website to providing a reasonable accommodation for persons who are disabled by permitting them to apply in person at local stores.
• Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) in White Plains achieved systems change in Employment since the Center was approved for funding by Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health through its Prisoner Re-entry Program to assist individuals who have a history with the criminal justice system to successfully engage the vocational habilitation and re-socialization process on their re-entry into the community.

Health Care

• Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) in Ithaca achieved systems change in Health Care since as a result of the Center's participation on the Tompkins County Point of Entry/Long-Term Care Services Advisory Council the referral process for Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) services was moved from the County Department of Social Services (that had a stigma attached) to the County Office for the Aging (a more neutral site), which operates Tompkins Care Connection that is the central access point for long-term care services.
• Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV) in Troy achieved systems change in Health Care since the Blue Shield of Northeastern New York established an annual special meeting for Deaf community to discuss updates on the Senior Blue Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans with sign language interpreter services provided and agreed to include with their advertising for this meeting information about other community meetings.
• Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL) in Watertown achieved systems change in Health Care since the NYS Department of Correctional Services changed its practices to allow in the State prison system a new condom negotiation curriculum to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission.

Commerce

• Options for Independence (OFI) in Auburn achieved systems change in Commerce since the Habitat for Humanity Cayuga County Chapter in Auburn incorporated visitability into the construction of its homes.
• Independent Living, Inc. (ILI.) in Newburgh achieved systems change in Commerce since the Orange County Family Court changed its preliminary hearing policy from not providing sign language interpreters for such proceedings to providing an interpreter for all preliminary proceedings.
• ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Commerce since the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO) created a single ride pass for the Call-A-Bus paratransit service that can be used in all paratransit vehicles. It enables passengers to travel without using money, which has been an issue for some riders who have visual impairments as well as other disabilities.

Social

• Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL) in Queensbury achieved systems change in Social since an Albany chapter of Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) was established. FHNB is a national non-profit volunteer organization that provides recreational fishing opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• Directions in Independent Living (DIL) in Olean achieved systems change in Social since the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Olean purchased several pieces of adaptive cardiovascular equipment for use in its wellness programs by individuals with disabilities.
• Southwestern Independent Living Center (SILC) in Jamestown achieved systems change in Social since the Jamestown Municipal Boatlanding/McCrea Point Park installed an accessible bathroom.

Citizenship

• Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL) in Kingston achieved systems change in Citizenship since the City of Kingston Assessors Office implemented new procedures for tax reduction based upon documented disabilities to ensure that all residents who apply will be given the proper information and tax reduction.
• Long Island Center for Independent Living (LICIL) in Levittown achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Center formally established the Disability Rights Initiative for Voter Empowerment (DRIVE) a civic group comprised of a core group of persons with disabilities to ensure that candidates for public office, political representatives, and government officials are aware of the issues and concerns of importance to voters with disabilities. The group received training on issues such as the basic political process, the importance of legislation, and New York State's failure to comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
• Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC) in Nanuet achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Rockland County Board of Elections in New City eliminated 14 inaccessible polling places and went from 134 sites to 120, thus making polling sites more accessible to people with disabilities.

 

OCTOBER 1, 2007 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
STATEWIDE DATA REPORT

SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS	OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
	# of ILCs	% of 36 ILCs	# of OUTCOMES	% of TOTAL OUTCOMES
EDUCATION	28	78%	58	14%
EMPLOYMENT	19	53%	31	7%
HEALTH CARE	35	97%	127	31%
COMMERCE	37	103%	122	30%
SOCIAL	14	39%	27	7%
CITIZENSHIP	23	64%	47	11%
TOTAL			412	100%

 

OCTOBER 1, 2007 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZEN-SHIP	RESULTS*
									TOTAL	S	U
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence		X	X	X			3	X
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-satellite		X	X	X		X	4	X
3	Auburn	Options for Independence	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center	X		X	X		X	4	X
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services	X	X			X		3	X
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled	X			X	X	X	4	X
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living (WNYILP)		X	X	X		X	4	X
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	X		X	X			3	X
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
12	Glens Falls	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	X	X	X		X	X	5	X
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center	X	X		X	X		4	X
14	Herkimer	Resource Center for Independent Living - satellite	X		X	X			3	X
15	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center			X	X	X	X	4	X
16	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
17	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living			X	X		X	3	X
18	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living		X	X	X			3	X
19	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York	X		X	X		X	4	X
20	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
21	Middletown	Action Toward Independence	X		X	X			3	X
22	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
23	Niagara Falls	Independent Living of Niagara County-WNYIL satellite			X	X		X	3	X
24	Olean	Directions in Independent Living	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
25	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence		X	X	X			3	X
26	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence	X		X	X			3	X
27	Putnam	Putnam Independent Living Services - WILC satellite	X		X	X		X	4	X
28	Queens	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York-satellite	X		X	X		X	4	X
29	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X		X	4	X
30	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center		X	X	X		X	4	X
31	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	X			X	X		3	X
32	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	X		X	X		X	3	X
33	Sullivan	Action Toward Independence-satellite	X	X	X	X			4	X
34	Syracuse	ARISE	X		X	X		X	4	X
35	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley			X	X	X	X	4	X
36	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
37	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	X		X	X			3	X
38	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X			4	X
39	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move		X	X	X		X	4	X
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOME			28	19	35	37	14	23		39	0
% of ALL ILCs			78%	53%	97%	103%	39%	64%

 

October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007 *  EXPLANATION OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
S - Successful = 3 or more	39		39		100%
U - Unsuccessful = less than 3	0		39		0%
Total	39		39		100%

 

October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008 BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
0	0		39		0%
1	0		39		0%
2	0		39		0%
3	13		39		33%
4	16		39		41%
5	7		39		18%
6	3		39		8%
Total	39		39		100%

The Role of Independent Living Centers in
Bringing About Community and Systems Change
2008-2009

New York’s 39 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) receive over $12.9 million to provide an array of independent living services to individuals and to advocate for and lead change to systems affecting the lives of people with disabilities.  “Systems Change”, in the context of New York State’s Independent Living Standards, Performance Measures and Data Collection Guide means, “Permanent change to policies, practices, decisions and environments in the public and/or private sector that control resources necessary to enhance integration, inclusion and independence of people with disabilities as a group”. 

Each of the 39 Independent Living Centers must achieve three results of community and systems change per year under contract with the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID).  VESID has established six distinct domains of systems change in areas of Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social and Citizenship.  Furthermore, tracking within categories is also done to group similar results together within each domain.  For instance, within the Education domain, results are grouped if they have had an impact on A. transition services, B. receipt of funding for pre-Kindergarten through university or business programs, or C. if the result demonstrated integration of a new educational component into a curriculum.  Under the Health Care domain, results are grouped if they addressed A. legislation/regulation/policy, B. consumer directed personal assistance (CDPA) services or C. increased access to physician offices/clinics. 

A detailed analysis of results are maintained in a systems change inventory database to determine frequency of specific types of systems change in each domain and the number of results in subcategories of each domain.    Results are shared with the field on an annual basis to report on outcomes and provide opportunities for exchanges of best practices.  Below is a sampling of results from the reporting period, October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2009.  During this reporting period, the network of 39 ILCs served close to 80,000 individuals with and without disabilities with direct services. 

            Over 500 instances of results of community and systems change were accomplished by the New York State network of Independent Living Centers with 100 percent of ILCs achieving the required three or more outcomes.  Nine ILCs achieved results in each of the six domains of systems change.  These centers are: 1. Access to Independence of Cortland County in Cortland, 2. Catskill Center for Independence in Oneonta, 3. Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center in Glens Falls, 4. Finger Lakes Independence Center in Ithaca, 5. Independent Living Inc. in Newburgh, 6. Self-Initiated Living Options in Suffolk, 7. Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley in Troy, 8. Resource Center for Independent Living in Utica, and 9. Resource Center for Independent Living subsidiary in Herkimer,.  The three ILCs with the highest number of occasions of systems change are Independent Living Inc. with 34, Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center with 25, and Westchester Independent Living Center in White Plans with 25.

The most frequently occurring outcomes of community and systems change are:

• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III covered public and private entities into full compliance with accessibility standards under the law.  There were 36 successful instances where ILCs worked with owners of such entities as supermarkets, banks, restaurants, malls, etc. to increase access to marketplace goods and services.
• Ensuring that hospitals, physician offices and public and private clinics provide both accessible facilities and services.  There were 34 instances of enhanced health care access.
• Bringing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II covered entities into full compliance with access standards under the law.  There were 33 instances where ILCs worked with local town and county governments to address full access to buildings, programs and services such as libraries, courts, town halls, etc.  
• Ensuring that schools pre-kindergarten through college including both public and private are accessible physically and programmatically.  There were 14 instances of enhanced school access.
• Ensuring that polling sites are fully accessible from parking to walkways, to indoor facilities and restrooms.  There were 13 instances of enhanced polling site access. 
• Ensuring that parks and other places of public recreation are fully accessible. There were 12 instances where ILCs facilitated accessibility by working with local, county or state officials to make parks, playgrounds, fishing docks and piers, and other recreational sites accessible to all. 
• Increasing the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  There were 8 instances where ILCs worked with local employers to improve physical accessibility and recruitment practices.

Some unique results that span the range of domains include the following:

Education Advocacy

• Options for Independence (OFI) in Auburn achieved systems change in Education since the Auburn Enlarged City School District purchased an automated software program that requires during the development and/or review of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) the consideration of assistive technology by prompting the District to either input assistive technology needed for the student or override the function. 
• Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS) in Carmel achieved systems change in Education since the Carmel Central School District now translates letters and student information into the native language for parents who do not read or speak English.
• Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Rochester achieved systems change in Education since the National Technical Institution for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester established a "remote" local classroom through video phones to help deaf and hard of hearing individuals get a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.

Employment Advocacy

• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Amsterdam achieved systems change in Employment since the Fulton Montgomery Community College (FMCC) Bridge Program now offers for students who are disabled an accessible computer lab for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and employment training at its Riverfront Center in Amsterdam since the computer lab for ESL classes at Centro Civico (human service agency serving the Hispanic population) was not accessible.  In addition, FMCC offers Rosetta Stone software to learn English for use either on a home computer or at the Riverfront Center.
• Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID) in Brooklyn achieved systems change in Employment since the NYS Department of Civil Service improved access to the State Workers with Disabilities Program by posting the application forms for sections 55 a/b/c certification on the Department’s website in a Word format to provide greater access for people who use screen readers. 
• Rockland Independent Living Center (RILC) in Rockland achieved systems change in Employment since the Banchetto Feast Restaurant in Nanuet now provides its employment application in large print to assist job applicants who are visually impaired.

Health Care Advocacy

• Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY) in Manhattan achieved systems change in Health Care since the Center’s work with the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to establish regional health information organizations resulted in DOH adopting visual access guidelines, as promulgated by Lighthouse International in New York City, for material to be accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired and modified for people who are deaf or have cognitive disabilities or psychiatric disabilities.
• Independent Living, Inc. (ILI) in Newburgh achieved systems change in Health Care since the Orange County Jail changed its practices to include Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) meetings facilitated by ILI staff to ensure inmates substance abuse treatment needs can be better met upon release from incarceration.  DTR is a Twelve Step program designed to meet the needs of the dually diagnosed with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.
• North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) in Plattsburgh achieved systems change in Health Care since the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh changed its “Vital Link” envelope to include individual and general disability-related information.  “Vital Link” is a clear envelope containing medication and other medical information that can be magnetically stuck on a refrigerator for easy retrieval in case of emergency or hospitalization.

Commerce Advocacy

• Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC) in Niagara Falls achieved systems change in Commerce since the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) installed reduced fare token machines at both transportation centers in Niagara Falls so Niagara County riders who are disabled can purchase bus tokens at a discounted rate.  The machines were already available at NFTA’s Erie County transportation center in Buffalo.
• ARISE in Syracuse achieved systems change in Commerce since the Skaneateles P&C Foods and Pharmacy removed the charge card swiping device from its holder so it is movable, allowing for secure and private access by customers who are disabled.
• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Utica achieved systems change in Commerce since the Center was instrumental in Rebuild Mohawk Valley, a local non-profit developer, applying for and being awarded a project rental subsidy assistance grant in the amount of $1,137,600 from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 811 program to construct six independent living units of subsidized rental housing for persons with disabilities in Utica.

Social Advocacy

• Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL) in Glens Falls achieved systems change in Social since the MAO Baptist Church in Ballston Spa installed an accessible ramp and modified a bathroom to improve accessibility.
• Harlem Independent Living Center (HILC) in Harlem achieved systems change in Social since the new Yankee Stadium in Bronx improved its access by installing a new video board with closed captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing that is available for the duration of the games and by creating accessible seating areas that are not just for person with disabilities who use wheelchairs.
• Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) in Herkimer achieved systems change in Social since the NYS Office of Long Term Care issued a General Information System (GIS) update to clarify for local departments of social services the provision of non-medical transportation services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) Program, which will enable consumers to participate in social activities as well as work, school, and shopping.

Citizenship Advocacy

• Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) in Bronx achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Highbridge Community Life Center (HCLC), main office at 979 Ogden Avenue in Bronx, improved access for its citizenship classes by making materials available in Braille, installing a video phone, and providing accessible desks for wheelchair users.  HCLC works to break the cycle of poverty and build assets for community change.  It operates eight sites with 7 in the Bronx and 1 in Goshen, Orange County.
• Access to Independence of Cortland County (ATI) in Cortland achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Cortland County Office of Emergency Management adopted a Special Needs Registry to identify and better address the needs of persons who are disabled during an emergency or natural disaster.
• Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley (ILCHV) in Troy achieved systems change in Citizenship since the Rensselaer County Board of Elections published a document for election inspectors that include instructions on how to use the Ballot Marking Device.

 

OCTOBER 1, 2008 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
STATEWIDE DATA REPORT

SYSTEMS CHANGE DOMAINS	OUTCOMES ACHIEVED
	# of ILCs	% of 36 ILCs	# of OUTCOMES	% of TOTAL OUTCOMES
EDUCATION	27	69%	70	14%
EMPLOYMENT	34	87%	73	14%
HEALTH CARE	37	95%	154	30%
COMMERCE	36	92%	126	25%
SOCIAL	26	67%	38	8%
CITIZENSHIP	19	49%	44	9%
TOTAL			505	100%

 

OCTOBER 1, 2008 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE CATEGORIES ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZEN-SHIP	RESULTS*
									TOTAL	S	U
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence	X	X	X	X			4	X
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-subsidiary	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
3	Auburn	Options for Independence	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center		X	X	X		X	4	X
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services			X	X		X	3	X
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL)	X	X	X	X			4	X
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
12	Glens Falls	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center		X	X	X	X		4	X
14	Herkimer	Resource Center for Independent Living - subsidiary	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
15	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
16	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center	X	X		X	X		4	X
17	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living	X	X	X	X		X	5	X
18	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living			X	X	X		3	X
19	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York		X	X	X	X	X	5	X
20	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center		X	X	X			3	X
21	Middletown	Action Toward Independence			X	X	X		3	X
22	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
23	Niagara Falls	Independent Living of Niagara County-WNYIL subsidiary		X	X	X		X	4	X
24	Olean	Directions in Independent Living	X		X	X	X	X	5	X
25	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
26	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence		X	X	X	X		4	X
27	Putnam	Putnam Independent Living Services - WILC subsidiary	X	X	X	X			4	X
28	Queens	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York-subsidiary		X	X			X	3	X
29	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
30	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center	X	X	X	X	X		5	X
31	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	X	X	X		X		4	X
32	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
33	Sullivan	Action Toward Independence-subsidiary		X	X	X	X		4	X
34	Syracuse	ARISE	X	X	X	X			4	X
35	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
36	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living	X	X	X	X	X	X	6	X
37	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	X	X		X		X	4	X
38	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	X	X	X		X		4	X
39	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move		X	X	X			3	X
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOME			27	34	37	36	26	19		39	0
% of ALL ILCs			69%	87%	95%	92%	67%	49%

 

October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009 *  EXPLANATION OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
S - Successful = 3 or more	39		39		100%
U - Unsuccessful = less than 3	0		39		0%
Total	39		39		100%

 

October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009 BREAKDOWN OF RESULTS	# ILC	/	TOTAL ILC	=	% ACHIEVED
0	0		39		0%
1	0		39		0%
2	0		39		0%
3	6		39		15%
4	13		39		33%
5	11		39		28%
6	9		39		23%
Total	39		39		100%

OCTOBER 1, 2008 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
NUMBER OF SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOMES ACHIEVED BY ILCS

No.	LOCATION	ILC	EDUCATION	EMPLOYMENT	HEALTH CARE	COMMERCE	SOCIAL	CITIZEN-SHIP	TOTAL
1	Albany	Capital District Center for Independence	1	1	4	3			9
2	Amsterdam	Resource Center for Independent Living-subsidiary	1	4	8	5		2	20
3	Auburn	Options for Independence	2		1	4	3	4	14
4	Batavia	Genesee Region Independent Living Center		2	4	4	3	4	14
5	Binghamton	Southern Tier Independence Center	3	3	11	5	2		24
6	Bronx	Bronx Independent Living Services			1	1		2	4
7	Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled	3	3	2	1	2		11
8	Buffalo	Western New York Independent Living Project (WNYILP)	1	2	1	1			5
9	Corning	AIM Independent Living Center	2	1	1	2	1		7
10	Cortland	Access to Independence of Cortland County	6	2	3	3	2	3	19
11	Delaware	Catskill Center for Independence	1	3	1	5	1	1	12
12	Glens Falls	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	1	2	10	7	4	1	25
13	Harlem	Harlem Independent Living Center		1	1	2	1		5
14	Herkimer	Resource Center for Independent Living - subsidiary	2	3	1	4	1	1	12
15	Ithaca	Finger Lakes Independence Center	1	2	2	7	1	1	14
16	Jamestown	Southwestern Independent Living Center	2	2		3	1		8
17	Kingston	Resource Center for Accessible Living	1	1	1	4		5	12
18	Long Island	Long Island Center for Independent Living			1	3	1		5
19	Manhattan	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York		3	11	1	1	5	21
20	Massena	Massena Independent Living Center		1	1	6			8
21	Middletown	Action Toward Independence			2	1	2		5
22	Newburgh	Independent Living Inc.	13	5	11	2	1	2	34
23	Niagara Falls	Independent Living of Niagara County-WNYILP subsidiary		1	1	3		1	6
24	Olean	Directions in Independent Living	1		1	2	1	1	6
25	Plattsburgh	North Country Center for Independence	3	2	5	6	1		17
26	Poughkeepsie	Taconic Resources for Independence		1	12	8	1		22
27	Putnam	Putnam Independent Living Services - WILC subsidiary	2	1	4	2			9
28	Queens	Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York-subsidiary		3	9			6	18
29	Rochester	Regional Center for Independent Living	1	1	3	3	1		9
30	Rockland	Rockland Independent Living Center	2	2	1	2	1		8
31	Staten Island	Staten Island Center for Independent Living	4	1	2		2		9
32	Suffolk	Self-Initiated Living Options	1	1	3	7	1	1	14
33	Sullivan	Action Toward Independence-subsidiary		3	4	5	2		14
34	Syracuse	ARISE	2	4	2	3			11
35	Troy	Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley	3	2	2	3	2	2	14
36	Utica	Resource Center for Independent Living	4	4	6	2	1	1	18
37	Watertown	Northern Regional Center for Independent Living	2	2		2		1	7
38	White Plains	Westchester Independent Living Center	5	3	16		1		25
39	Yonkers	Westchester Disabled on the Move		1	5	4			10
TOTAL OUTCOMES ACHIEVED			70	73	154	126	38	44	505
TOTAL ILCs ACHIEVING OUTCOMES			27	34	37	36	26	19