NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOME INVENTORY
OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

Center	EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE
ALBANY	Collaborative funding application with the North Colonie Central School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation system to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
ALBANY	Center staff member was invited to participate as a founding member of the newly established North Colonie Transition Advisory Council to review the District’s transition needs and identify areas that need improvement.
AMSTERDAM	Center staff was invited to join the Fulton-Montgomery Community College (in Johnstown) Minority Recruitment Committee, which was formed to find ways to increase the number of minorities attending classes at the College.
AMSTERDAM	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.
BINGHAMTON	Parents and Children Together (PACT) in Binghamton signed an agreement with STIC for the provision of sign language interpreters for parents who are Deaf and have hearing children. PACT provides periodic home visits to address education and health for both parent and child focusing on children from prenatal to kindergarten.
BINGHAMTON	Vestal Central School District established a written agreement with STIC to provide Transition services for their students.
BINGHAMTON	Binghamton City School District scanned all text materials (including all text books) in order to have them available to students with disabilities in an accessible format via Kurzweil text reading software.
BINGHAMTON	Binghamton City School District established a written contract with STIC’s TRAID (Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities) Center to provide consultations on Assistive Technology for students with disabilities.
BINGHAMTON	Binghamton City School District changed its practices and redesigned the service provision model in the middle school special education program, adopting and implementing a universal design approach utilizing three teacher positions to be shared between the two middle schools.
BINGHAMTON	NYS Education Department issued an Amendment to the Regulations Of The Commissioner Of Education during January 2007 that established policy and general rules for behavioral interventions, including a prohibition on the use of aversive interventions.
BINGHAMTON	Center staff serves on the Broome County Transition Work Group.
BINGHAMTON	Southern Tier Area Speech, Language & Hearing Association (STASLHA) in Johnson City, which is a nonprofit organization made up of professionals interested in continuing education and fostering communication among professionals in the Southern Tier of New York.
BINGHAMTON	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. Weast that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
BROOKLYN	Through membership on the Brooklyn Borough President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues BCID was involved in the development of a booklet entitled "What Is Your Disability IQ?, An Information Guide to Disability Awareness" that was placed on the Borough President’s website at www.brooklyn-usa.org
BROOKLYN	Center’s Youth in Transition (YIT) Coordinator is Chair of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Special Education Committee at P. S. 193 an elementary school in Brooklyn.
CORNING	Center staff started serving on the Chemung County Youth Bureau.
CORTLAND	Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in Dryden redesigned its accessible parking, widening the access aisles to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
CORTLAND	Center’s Program Coordinator was invited to be a member of the Editorial Board of a new web-based, peer-reviewed, scholarly journal: “Social Advocacy & Systems Change” being published by the Institute for Disability Studies of the State University of New York (SUNY), College at Cortland.
CORTLAND	Collaborative funding application with the Cortland Enlarged City School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation system to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
GLENS FALLS	Adirondack Community College in Queensbury installed signage and access aisles to the existing handicapping parking spaces.
GLENS FALLS	Center Staff was appointed to the Shenendehowa Central School District Transition Planning Committee.
HARLEM	City University of New York (CUNY), City College of New York (CCNY) in Harlem improved access at the North Academic Center building by replacing the lighting for several administrative offices to improve the independence of the low vision students.
ITHACA	Collaborative funding application as part of the Cayuga Lake Transition Collaborative consisting of Lansing, Groton, Candor, South Seneca and Trumansburg School Districts to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
ITHACA	Collaborative funding application with the Ithaca City School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
KINGSTON	Mount Marion Elementary School in Saugerties corrected the lip of the curb cut from Glasco Turnpike to the sidewalk for the school.
LONG ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. Weast that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
LONG ISLAND	Center's Director of Counseling became a member of the Long Island Parent Center (in Lindenhurst) Advisory Board. Its overall mission is to help improve the delivery of services to children with disabilities while in school and to ensure effective and positive transition into the community following their graduation from school.
MANHATTAN	NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) changed service policy 405.00 Training at a College or University (April 2007) to state the allowance for required books and related training materials is not contingent on economic need.
MASSENA	Collaborative funding application with Franklin-Essex-Hamilton Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) to NYS Education Department was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to work with high school students with disabilities to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help them move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment
MASSENA	Collaborative funding application with St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) to NYS Education Department was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to work with high school students with disabilities to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help them move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment
MIDDLETOWN	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.
MIDDLETOWN	Center's Educational Advocate, who is a parent of a child with a disability, was permanently appointed as a Parent Member to the Committee on Special Education (CSE) at Liberty Central School District.
NEWBURGH	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. Weast that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
OLEAN	Jamestown Community College incorporated Independent Living Philosophy and History components into the curriculum for the Early Childhood Education, Human Services, and Teacher Transfer Programs.
OLEAN	In partnership with Olean City School District, the Center established the community advocacy group STYLES (Support The Youth Lend Educational Support) for parents of students with disabilities and teachers that meets twice monthly during the school year providing open communication, support, and general assistance.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County in Millbrook now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Fallsburg Central School District now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	United States Military Academy in West Point now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Center for Autism at University at Albany, State University of New York now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
ROCHESTER	City of Rochester School District's GED® program established a policy to provide sign language interpreters to ensure Deaf/Hard of Hearing persons have appropriate supports to be successful in GED® program.
ROCHESTER	City of Rochester School District provided sign language interpreters when requested for School Board meetings.
ROCHESTER	Center's Spina Bifida Resource Center Program Coordinator is a member of the Transition Collaboration Committee, which consists of representatives from local school districts and other human service agencies and addresses available services in each school district.
ROCHESTER	Center was active in the local effort that stopped the Rush-Henrietta Central School District's proposal to remove the American Sign Language (ASL) program from its schools.
ROCHESTER	Collaborative funding application with the Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation system to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
ROCKLAND	Center staff serves on the Rockland Transition Consortium.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. West that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of the New York City Board of Education Transition Team.
SUFFOLK	Bellport High School in Brookhaven created accessible parking spaces at various locations around the school grounds to provide access from different points throughout the school.
SYRACUSE	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.
TROY	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. Weast that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
UTICA	New York Mills Union Free School District changed its procedures to have information packets provided to students transitioning from high school include information about Independent Living Centers.
UTICA	Proctor High School in Utica changed its procedures to have information packets provided to students transitioning from high school include information about Independent Living Centers.
WATERTOWN	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation shifting burden of proof to school districts in disputes over special education programs. It reinstates a long-standing approach to the hearing process, which was effectively reversed by a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Shaffer v. Weast that put the burden of proof on the party requesting an administrative ruling, most often parents, for all states that did not have a specific law or regulation on this issue.
WHITE PLAINS	Collaborative funding application with the New Rochelle City School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation system to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
WHITE PLAINS	Collaborative funding application as part of a partnership including Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES), Mount Pleasant School District (Blythedale Children's Hospital), and Mamaroneck School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation system to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
WHITE PLAINS	Center established a fee-for-service agreement with Tappan Hill Elementary School in Tarrytown to teach Sign Language to Kindergarteners as part of the Center's American Sign Language (ASL) for Literacy and Awareness Program partially funded by Verizon.
WHITE PLAINS	Center established a fee-for-service agreement with Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) Community Transition Site in White Plains to provide transition workshops to parents of BOCES students to aid in their transition to life after BOCES.
YONKERS	Collaborative funding application with the Mount Vernon City School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
YONKERS	Collaborative funding application with the Yonkers City School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.
YONKERS	Center was awarded a grant by the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) to conduct a Youth Leadership Program that will provide opportunities for leadership development among transitioning youth.
YONKERS	Collaborative funding application with the Greenburgh-North Castle Unified School District to the NYS Department of Education was approved for a Model Transition Program (MTP) grant to improve the services available through the vocational rehabilitation systems to help high school students move into post-secondary education and other job training opportunities that lead to employment.

EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY 2006-2007

Center	EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE
BATAVIA	Genesee County Career Center, One-Stop in Batavia, changed its policies and procedures for referring consumers to community services, including independent living services and resources.
BINGHAMTON	Triple Cities Metal Finishing Corporation in Binghamton began providing sign language interpreters for its employees who are Deaf.
BINGHAMTON	Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal, operated by Broome County, changed its employee policies and procedures to comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
BINGHAMTON	The Center was invited to join the City of Binghamton Diversity Task Force. Among its goals is an effort to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
BINGHAMTON	Endicott Interconnect Technologies began providing sign language interpreters for its employees who are Deaf.
BINGHAMTON	NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) implemented new policy/procedures allowing Supported Employment to be purchased under Community Support Services (CSS). A Center consumer was approved for services demonstrating local implementation of the program.
CORNING	Steuben County One-Stop Career Center in Corning now makes available accessible work stations that include JAWS screen reading software and enlargement programs to assist persons with visual impairment.
CORNING	Steuben County One-Stop Career Center in Hornell now makes available accessible work stations that include JAWS screen reading software and enlargement programs to assist persons with visual impairment.
CORNING	Steuben County One-Stop Career Center in Bath now makes available accessible work stations that include JAWS screen reading software and enlargement programs to assist persons with visual impairment.
CORNING	Chemung County One-Stop Career Center in Elmira now makes available accessible work stations that include JAWS screen reading software and enlargement programs to assist persons with visual impairment.
DELAWARE	The Center expanded its existing agreement with NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) Southern Tier District Office to conduct Group Orientation and Fast Track services in Delaware County to include conducting similar services in Chenango County at four Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and 3 schools.
DELAWARE	U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) corrected an error in its "benefits queries" regarding substantial gainful activity level being utilized and alerted SSA Field Offices of the error and directed them to provide correct information.
ITHACA	Center Staff serves on the Ithaca City Police Department Community Board that is addressing diversity in the hiring of new officers including persons who are disabled.
ITHACA	City of Ithaca adopted a new diversity policy that includes policies and procedures to address the employment of people with disabilities.
ITHACA	Center staff is serving on the City of Ithaca Affirmative Action and Diversity Committee that is updating policies regarding diversity and employment of people with disabilities.
ITHACA	Tompkins County adopted a new diversity policy that includes policies and procedures to address the employment of people with disabilities.
ITHACA	Center staff is a member of the Tompkins County Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee that is developing new policies in relation to discrimination, diversity, and the employment of people with disabilities.
JAMESTOWN	Center staff is serving on the Youth Committee of the Chautauqua County Workforce Investment Board.
NEWBURGH	Center contracted with the Washingtonville Central School District to provide support services to transition students from school to work
NEWBURGH	Center's Executive Director is a member of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board (WIB).
ROCKLAND	Center staff serves on the Rockland Employment Network.
ROCKLAND	Grecia's Unisex Salon in West Haverstraw now provides its employment application in a format that is accessible for persons who are visually impaired.
ROCKLAND	Rockland County Department of Mental Health incorporated training conducted by RILC on Social Security Disability Benefits, Work Incentives, and Medicaid Buy-In as an annual part of training for its case managers.
STATEN ISLAND	The Center entered into a contractual agreement with the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Manhattan District Office to teach persons who are blind or visually impaired to use special equipment and technology to prepare them for work.
SYRACUSE	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.
WHITE PLAINS	Center's Executive Director, a person with a disability, was recruited to be a member of the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) Unified Contracted Services (UCS) Workgroup to develop cohesive definitions for VESID's purchased services as part of redesigning the UCS process.
YONKERS	Westchester One-Stop Employment Center in White Plains provided an accessible locking mechanism for the accessible bathroom so it would not be kept locked and installed a lowered area in the reception area for people who use wheelchairs.
YONKERS	Westchester One-Stop Employment Center in White Plains changed its practice of directing all consumers with disabilities to the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) regardless of their needs, experience and knowledge and now refers them to appropriate mainstream intensive services.

HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

Center	HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY SYSTEMS
AMSTERDAM	St. Johnsville Nursing Home changed its procedures to include information about RCIL and its Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPA) services during patient discharge planning meetings.
AMSTERDAM	Center's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) Program in Fulton County, established during the 2004-2005 reporting period, increased program enrollment to a stable foundation.
AUBURN	Center's Executive Director was appointed to a two-year term on the NYS Commission on Quality Care And Advocacy For Persons With Disabilities Surrogate Decision-Making Committee.
AUBURN	Doctor Brad Davidson, a dentist in Auburn, upgraded an existing ramp to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
BATAVIA	Batavia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine installed automatic door openers on its side door so persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs, walkers, or crutches can enter the doctor's office on their own.
BINGHAMTON	As a result of STIC's participation on the Broome County Children's Mental Health Task Force, the Broome County Department of Mental Health implemented a new Assessment and Referral Service for youth with "co-occurring disorders" to serve Children with mental health and developmental disabilities and Children with mental health and juvenile delinquent problems.
BINGHAMTON	As a result of STIC's participation on the Broome County Children's Mental Health Task Force, the Greater Binghamton Health Center (GBHC, formally Binghamton Psychiatric Center) and Broome Developmental Center (BDC) have initiated a collaborative effort to house and staff a unit at GBHC for teens with co-occurring conditions needing in-patient psychiatric care.
BINGHAMTON	Governor rescinded his proposal to eliminate Level I Personal Care from the Medicaid program that was in the 21-day Executive Budget Amendments to the 2007-2008 State Budget.
BINGHAMTON	Dr. Ronnie Kanas at The Center for Pain Relief in Vestal now provides sign language interpreters for patients who are Deaf.
BINGHAMTON	Chenango County Area Agency on Aging in Norwich now provides sign language interpreters for consumers who are Deaf.
BINGHAMTON	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
BINGHAMTON	Center staff serves on the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) Advisory Board.
BRONX	Terrace Healthcare Center, a Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Facility in Bronx, changed its practices to allow an outside agency to conduct ongoing support group activities for its residents.
BUFFALO	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
BUFFALO	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during July 2007 of NYS legislation that permits a person who is receiving Medicaid prior to being incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility to remain eligible while an inmate, except that such assistance cannot be furnished during incarceration, and to have immediate access to Medicaid after incarceration is completed.
CORNING	Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira made procedural changes to have discharge planners include the Center's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) materials in their discharge planning packets.
CORNING	ILC staff started serving on the Long-Term Care Council of Chemung County.
CORNING	ILC staff started serving on the Long-Term Care Council of Schuyler County.
CORNING	Corning Hospital made procedural changes to have discharge planners include the Center's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) materials in their discharge planning packets.
CORNING	St Josephs Hospital in Elmira made procedural changes to have discharge planners include the Center's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) materials in their discharge planning packets.
CORTLAND	Center's Executive Director is a member of the recently formed Mental Health Stigma Task Force, which is seeking funding and exploring ways to combat stigma around mental health diagnoses and services primarily through a media campaign and training of physicians and primary care providers.
CORTLAND	Center's Independent Living Advocate serves as the Secretary of the Board Directors of Catholic Charities of Cortland County, which primarily focuses on providing substance abuse treatment services.
GLENS FALLS	Center staff was appointed to the NYS Long-Term Care Restructuring Advisory Committee.
GLENS FALLS	Maxim Healthcare, LLC in Albany became a new provider of home and community based support services and respite services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
GLENS FALLS	Opportunities North, LLC in Lake George became a new provider of home and community based support services and respite services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
GLENS FALLS	Center staff was appointed to the Office of Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties, Washington County Mental Health Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Advisory Committee.
GLENS FALLS	Center staff was appointed to the Office of Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties, Warren County Mental Health Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Advisory Committee.
GLENS FALLS	Interim Health Care, LLC in Glens Falls and Queensbury became a new provider of home and community based support services and respite services through the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver Program.
HARLEM	Center became a member of the Northern Manhattan Office of the District Attorney Domestic Violence Task Force, which works to increase issues faced by victims of domestic violence who are disabled.
ITHACA	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
JAMESTOWN	Center staff is serving on the Chautauqua County Long-Term Health Care Council.
JAMESTOWN	Jones Memorial Health Center in Jamestown now provides communication access for Deaf consumers receiving mental health services.
JAMESTOWN	Jamestown Area Medical Associates, LLP relocated its offices to the newly opened River Walk Medical Complex that is fully accessible.
KINGSTON	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
KINGSTON	Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) changed its referral process for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waiver program so that families are now given a "description of child's activities" form prior to their intake appointment, which allows them to complete the form in a more thoughtful manner and hand it in already completed at the intake.
LONG ISLAND	Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy became a member of the Nassau County Department of Health, Health and Medical Task Force.
MANHATTAN	Governor rescinded his proposal to eliminate Level I Personal Care from the Medicaid program that was in the 21-day Executive Budget Amendments to the 2007-2008 State Budget.
MANHATTAN	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.
MANHATTAN	NYS Legislature and Governor approved reforms to coverage for both Medicaid and Child Health Plus to take effect January 2008 that change Medically needy income limits to preserve eligibility; change Medicaid application and renewal so that Medicaid beneficiaries have 12 months of continuous coverage; and permit Individuals to self-attest to income and residence.
MANHATTAN	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
MANHATTAN	An allocation of $2.5 million was approved and included in the 2007-2008 State Budget to fund a housing subsidy for use by individuals found eligible to participate in the State Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Waiver.
MASSENA	Massena Memorial Hospital now includes the Center's brochure as part of its standard patient discharge packet.
MIDDLETOWN	Center's MICA Advocate started serving on the Sullivan County Department of Community Services Alcohol and Substance Abuse Planning Committee.
MIDDLETOWN	The new Hudson Community Health Building in Monticello improved access by relocating its accessible parking to a level area with proper signage and by providing an accessible route throughout the facility.
MIDDLETOWN	Center's Senior Advocate started serving on the Sullivan County Office for the Aging Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Long-Term Care Council.
MIDDLETOWN	Center's Medicaid Service Coordinator/Disability Advocate started serving on the Sullivan County Department of Community Services Children and Youth Mental Health Planning Committee.
MIDDLETOWN	Center staff started serving on the Sullivan County Autism Advisory Council.
NEWBURGH	St Luke's Cornwall Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) adopted a policy that requires the inclusion of informational folders for parents of children born with Down Syndrome in its orientation materials.
NEWBURGH	Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center in Newburgh changed its practices and now disseminates disability information (in both English and Spanish) to families of infants, toddlers and school-age youth as applicable during their intake process.
NEWBURGH	Center is a member of the Child Find Committee in Ulster County. Its goal is to help physicians/pediatricians make appropriate referrals to early intervention services.
NEWBURGH	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
NEWBURGH	Center is a member of the Sullivan County Office for the Aging Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Long-Term Care Council.
NEWBURGH	Center staff is a member of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS) Cultural Competence Committee, which is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations who use and or provide recovery-centered, community-based, publicly funded mental health services dedicated to promoting the integrated delivery of cultural competence mental health services throughout New York State.
NEWBURGH	Center's Executive Director is a member of the Orange County Office for the Aging Single Point of Entry (SPOE) Long-Term Care Council.
NIAGARA FALLS	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
NIAGARA FALLS	Center established a Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) Program in Niagara County.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Modena Family Practice now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Northern Riverview Health Care Center in Haverstraw now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Family Services, Inc. in Poughkeepsie (includes The Crime Victim's Assistance Program and Battered Women's Services) is now equipped with a telecommunications device for the Deaf (TDD).
POUGHKEEPSIE	St. Francis Hospital Home Health Services in Poughkeepsie now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Hudson Valley Endoscopy Center in Fishkill now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Advanced Women's Medical in Carmel now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Robert Frisenda, MD in Poughkeepsie now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	John F. McNulty, MD in Poughkeepsie now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	A collaborative funding application with Family Services, Inc. of Poughkeepsie to US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) was approved to establish "The Women with Disabilities Empowerment Project." This is a three-year grant, and TRI will receive $20,000/year in consultation fees.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Family Dental Group in Fishkill now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
QUEENS	Center staff became a member of the Queens HIV Care Network to coordinate existing HIV/AIDS services, to identify service gaps, to increase community awareness of available services, and to develop strategies for expanding services in Queens.
ROCHESTER	Center's Executive Director is a member of the NYS Department of Health advisory committee assisting with developing the State's application to participate in the Money Follows the Person Federal Rebalancing Demonstration Program (MFP) and implementing the MFP program, which was authorized through the national Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005.
ROCHESTER	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
ROCHESTER	Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) established a policy to provide sign language interpreters for all meetings.
ROCHESTER	Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC) issued a plan for achieving Olmstead compliance in New York State that is consistent with the Supreme Court Decision of 1999.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island University Hospital changed its policies and now offers patient informational materials in alternate formats.
STATEN ISLAND	NYS Department of Health revised its policies regarding consumer rights, and will now allow a consumer to access Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) services with their Medicaid card following enrollment in a Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the national ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during December 2006 of Federal legislation known as the Lifespan Respite Care Act that amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care.
STATEN ISLAND	Mount Marisa Jesuit Retreat House in Staten Island, which assists people struggling with spiritual questions, installed ramps to access the convention area, dining room, and chapel and installed an elevator to access all floors in the residence.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
STATEN ISLAND	Governor rescinded his proposal to eliminate Level I Personal Care from the Medicaid program that was in the 21-day Executive Budget Amendments to the 2007-2008 State Budget.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of the Staten Island AIDS Task Force that provides AIDS education to public and private highs schools in the community as well as case management to those in need of benefits.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of the Program Advisory Board of Lighthouse International, which is a non-profit worldwide organization dedicated to preserving vision and to helping people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during July 2007 of NYS legislation that permits a person who is receiving Medicaid prior to being incarcerated in a state or local correctional facility to remain eligible while an inmate, except that such assistance cannot be furnished during incarceration, and to have immediate access to Medicaid after incarceration is completed.
SUFFOLK	Suffolk County purchased new state-of-the-art breast cancer detection equipment to offer mammography screenings at the accessible Marilyn Shallabarger South Brookhaven Family Health Center-East in Shirley instead of at a mobile mammography unit that was not accessible.
SYRACUSE	Northeast Medical Center in Fayetteville improved access of the handicapped parking area by installing "no parking" signs for all access isles, increasing the number of handicapped parking spaces, improving access of an existing curb cut, adding signage to mark the accessible loading/unloading passenger zone, and adding pedestrian crossing signs.
TROY	Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson now provides materials in Braille for its Diabetes Education Program serving Greene and Columbia counties.
TROY	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
UTICA	As a result of the Center's participation in the Medicaid Matters New York Coalition, the New York State Department of Health created a monitoring mechanism for newly enrolled Medicaid managed care enrollees.
UTICA	Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in Utica now includes the Center's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) program brochure in its patient discharge packages.
WATERTOWN	Center applied for and received a grant from Lewis County Community Services Board in Lowville to provide full time mental health advocacy in Lewis County.
WATERTOWN	Center applied for and received grant from North American Council on Adoptable Children/The Collaboration to Adopt Us Kids (in Maryland) to provide support groups for foster/adoptive families with children with disabilities.
WATERTOWN	Center applied for and received a grant from the NYS Citizens Coalition for Children in Ithaca to provide support services for foster and adoptive families with children with disabilities.
WHITE PLAINS	Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health in White Plains created local suicide prevention committee to identify training needs and to coordinate efforts around training, public education/awareness, resources sharing, and policy/advocacy.
WHITE PLAINS	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
WHITE PLAINS	Center was awarded a grant of $315,000 by the NYS Department of Health to establish the Lower Hudson Valley region's Regional Resource Development Center (RRDC) to administer Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver.
WHITE PLAINS	Medical Building at 35 Grassy Sprain Road in Yonkers created a wheelchair accessible bathroom in the basement with signage on each floor to designate its location.
WHITE PLAINS	Interim Health Care in White Plains became a service provider under the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver program.
YONKERS	An allocation of $2.5 million was approved and included in the 2007-2008 State Budget to fund a housing subsidy for use by individuals found eligible to participate in the State Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Waiver.
YONKERS	Center's Executive Director is a member of the Westchester County Long-Term Care Council.
YONKERS	Governor rescinded his proposal to eliminate Level I Personal Care from the Medicaid program that was in the 21-day Executive Budget Amendments to the 2007-2008 State Budget.
YONKERS	Center was active in statewide ILC effort that led to passage and signing into law during December 2006 of NYS legislation known as "Timothy's Law", which will require insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with mental illnesses.
YONKERS	Bailey Court in Somers, a medical building, provided proper signage and access aisles at handicapped parking spaces.

COMMERCE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

Center	COMMERCE ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE
ALBANY	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.
ALBANY	Center was invited to be a member of the newly formed Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Advisory Committee on Disability Services to help CDTA manage the demand for its Special Transportation Available by Request (STAR) services and to develop better ways to provide services for people with disabilities.
ALBANY	Center became a member of the Greater Capital District CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Coalition that works to increase financial fitness of persons with disabilities. The Coalition submitted a proposal for a mini grant to the National Disability Institute that was approved to conduct special events and activities geared toward assisting persons with disabilities in becoming financially independent.
ALBANY	Center staff member was requested to be the consumer/recipient representative for the new Albany County Mental Health Court. Its mission is to improve public safety; link offenders with community based treatment services in lieu of jail or prison, and to improve the court's ability to identify, help and monitor offenders working in conjunction with Social Workers and Psychiatrists.
ALBANY	Center staff member is a participant on the Albany County Mental Health Forensic Task Force, which addresses housing and treatment issues for offenders with mental health diagnosis who are being released from the Albany County Jail to prevent re-incarceration. Also, the Task Force is developing a strategy to provide judges with information on handling defendants with mental health issues.
ALBANY	Collaborative funding application with West Hill Improvement Corporation in Albany through NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Access to Home program was approved. Funds are provided to individual homeowners or renters to make housing accessible.
ALBANY	Center was invited to be a member of the Schenectady Eviction Task Force that is affiliated with the Schenectady Community Action Program and works to resolve systemic problems with housing and related issues.
ALBANY	As a result of the Center's attendance at meetings of the Albany County Housing Trust Fund Task Force, the newly established Housing Trust Fund Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) now includes under the "Passing Threshold Review and Minimum Requirements" section that a project must meet a minimum; must be in compliance with both the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
ALBANY	Center established a written service agreement with the Westerlo Housing Company to provide all needed Independent Living services to residents with disabilities who reside at the Westerlo Senior Housing Apartments, a new affordable/low income 24 unit housing project funded through the Albany County Rural Housing Alliance (ACRHA).
AMSTERDAM	As a result of the Center's collaboration with the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency, the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Planning established the Montgomery Area Xpress handicapped accessible public transit service from St. Johnsville to Amsterdam.
AUBURN	City of Auburn installed a pedestrian push button post at the corner of Dill and North Street to make the intersection accessible for people in wheelchairs.
AUBURN	City of Auburn reinstated several accessible parking spaces that were removed during a city beautification project.
AUBURN	City of Auburn replaced a two-headed parking meter with a one-headed meter at the Seymour Library since it blocked the curb cut when both parking spaces were used.
AUBURN	Eckerd Plaza on Genesee Street in Auburn re-striped the parking lot to follow Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
AUBURN	Waterloo Premium Outlets moved the hand dryers in two of the store's restrooms to make them accessible.
AUBURN	Kim's Café in Auburn now has large print menus available for its customers who are visually impaired.
BATAVIA	Center established a written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Genesee Valley Rural Preservation Council (GVRPC) to provide all needed Independent Living services to residents with disabilities who reside at the numerous subsidized, accessible housing complexes that GVRPC manages.
BINGHAMTON	Binghamton City Police Department purchased a telecommunications device for the Deaf (TDD).
BINGHAMTON	State Budget for 2007-2008 included 2.5 million dollars in housing rent subsidies to be used exclusively for participants in the new NYS Department of Health Medicaid Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver program.
BINGHAMTON	Smart Wash Laundry Mat in the Price Chopper Plaza, North Street, Endicott made its entrance fully accessible.
BINGHAMTON	City of Binghamton installed audible pedestrian signals and curb cuts at the intersection of Hawley and Court Streets.
BINGHAMTON	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
BINGHAMTON	Mom's House in Johnson City began providing sign language interpreters on a regular basis for consumers who are Deaf. It is a non-profit, state-licensed day care center for low-income single parents who are enrolled in school full-time, or enrolled in a welfare-to-work program and school part-time.
BRONX	Center is a member of the newly established Bronx inter-agency permanent Housing Task Force on People with Disabilities.
BROOKLYN	H and R Block tax return preparation office at 297 Kings Highway at West 6th Street in Brooklyn now makes available a portable ramp to provide access for persons who use a wheelchair.
BROOKLYN	Center's Client Assistance Program (CAP) Coordinator is a member of Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service Business Advisory Council.
BUFFALO	Center active in regional effort that led to Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority in Buffalo changing Half-Fare program application to reduce size, restore old certifiers, remove notary requirement, and change language relating to mental impairments.
BUFFALO	Center was invited to serve on the Housing Renewals and New Projects Committee as part of the development of Erie County's funding application to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care Program.
CORNING	Arnot Mall in Horseheads placed a Sorenson Video Phone for customers who are deaf to use.
CORTLAND	Cortland Transit improved its Dial-A-Ride system by purchasing new buses that allow seating for up to four wheelchairs, formerly the standard buses in the fleet accommodated two wheelchairs.
CORTLAND	Community Restaurant in downtown Cortland redesigned its entrance in order to install automatic doors and make the slope of the ramp ADA compliant.
DELAWARE	Otsego Town Hall installed door hardware and remedied accessible parking issues.
GLENS FALLS	US Post Office in Granville installed a ramp and widened doorways to allow access for persons with disabilities.
GLENS FALLS	Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) added additional accessible bus routes within the City of Saratoga Springs.
HARLEM	285 Saint Nicholas Deli in Harlem installed a ramp at the front entrance.
HARLEM	Apartment building at 22-24 Mount Morris Park West in Harlem installed a ramp for easier access to the building.
HARLEM	Center became a member of the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee that is affiliated with National Association of the Deaf with headquarters in Maryland.
HARLEM	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.
ITHACA	Center staff is a member on the Tompkins County Human Service Transportation Coordinated Plan Committee that oversees the use of Federal funds. FLIC will work toward the expansion in rural areas of paratransit services available under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
ITHACA	Lifelong, Inc., a senior citizens center in Ithaca, installed power doors.
ITHACA	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during July 2007 of NYS legislation clarifying NYS Human Rights Law and ensuring that individuals with hearing disabilities are afforded the same rights to the use of service animals as others with disabilities.
ITHACA	City of Ithaca Youth Bureau installed power doors.
ITHACA	Ithaca Dispatch taxicab company purchased wheelchair accessible vehicles, which will expand transportation services for people with disabilities in Tompkins County especially in the evening and on weekends when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation is limited.
ITHACA	Center staff serves on the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) Advisory Committee in Ithaca to address transportation issues that affect people with disabilities.
ITHACA	City of Ithaca adopted a new pedestrian policy that reads "pedestrians with and without disabilities" so that the needs of people with disabilities are addressed.
ITHACA	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
ITHACA	Center staff serves on a City of Ithaca work group convened to identify access needs in the South of the Creek area including Titus Towers, the Senior High Rise Building.
JAMESTOWN	Friendly's Ice Cream Shop in Jamestown now makes its menu available in Braille for patrons who are blind.
JAMESTOWN	Bob Evans restaurant in Jamestown now makes its menu available in Braille for patrons who are blind.
JAMESTOWN	Applebee's Neighborhood Grill in Lakewood now makes its menu available in Braille for patrons who are blind.
JAMESTOWN	Red Lobster restaurant in Lakewood now makes its menu available in Braille for patrons who are blind.
KINGSTON	Center's Systems Advocate became a member of the NYS Housing Trust Fund Consortium, which is charged with developing a strategy to create a large housing trust fund that will be used for affordable, accessible housing across New York State.
KINGSTON	Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) in Kingston added a notation indicating handicap accessibility to the list of availability rental properties on its website at www.rupco.org.
KINGSTON	Center's Systems Advocate is a member of the Ulster County Housing Consortium that seeks to address Ulster County's affordable housing shortage.
KINGSTON	Collaborative funding application with Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) in Kingston through the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Access to Home program was approved. Funds are provided to individual homeowners or renters to make housing accessible.
KINGSTON	Rhinebeck Hardware Store made the rear door accessible and installed directional signage to the rear door at the main entrance. There had previously been an accessible front entrance, but it was eliminated when the building was renovated.
LONG ISLAND	A shopping plaza at 700 Franklin Avenue in Franklin Square installed a curb cut and provided handicapped parking so that patrons with disabilities can access its businesses.
LONG ISLAND	Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy is a member of the Accessible Transportation Oversight Committee, which ensures that policies and practices of Long Island Bus Paratransit (Able-Ride) and fixed route services meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards.
LONG ISLAND	Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy is a member of the Citizens with Disabilities Leadership Committee that works to bring about policy adjustment and change, as well as to increase communication between the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and leadership in the disability advocacy area.
LONG ISLAND	Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy is a member of the Nassau County Grants Search and Development Committee. Its objective is to locate appropriate and available funding opportunities to increase quality services and to increase community inclusion for persons with disabilities.
MANHATTAN	NYC Department of Homeless Services changed its procedures to improve the intake of people with disabilities and their referral to appropriate shelters by no longer denying families with a disabled member further shelter if they refuse to move into an inaccessible apartment and by permitting the Center to arrange for accommodations before the consumer arrives.
MANHATTAN	Center is a member of a newly formed New York City Mayor's Task Force on Housing for People with Disabilities that includes representatives of relevant City agencies, as well as disability advocates.
MASSENA	Massena Police Department changed its practice of not ticketing handicapped parking violators parked in privately owned business lots and now tickets such handicapped parking violators.
MASSENA	WPBS-TV, a public television station in Watertown, now provides Descriptive Video Service (DVS) for its audience who is visually impaired.
MIDDLETOWN	NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) Hudson Valley Developmental Disability Services Office (DDSO) improved its access by making the existing wheelchair platform lift to the second floor office usable independently by consumers.
MIDDLETOWN	Center's Medicaid Service Coordinator/Disability Advocate started serving on the Sullivan County Department of Community Services Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD) Planning Committee.
MIDDLETOWN	Collaborative funding application with Rural Sullivan Housing Corporation in Monticello through NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Access to Home program was approved. Funds are provided to individual homeowners or renters to make housing accessible.
NEWBURGH	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
NIAGARA FALLS	Center was active in the regional effort that resulted in Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) headquartered in Buffalo changing the Half-Fare program application to reduce its size, restore old certifiers, remove the notary requirement, and change language relating to mental impairments.
NIAGARA FALLS	Haeberle Plaza in Niagara Falls installed a curb cut to allow access to the sidewalk and appropriately striped the access aisles for handicapped parking.
OLEAN	DeSoto Hotel in Olean adopted the Center's Disability Etiquette/Sensitivity Training as part of its ongoing employee training.
OLEAN	City of Olean resurfaced the 1st Street municipal parking lot and created handicapped parking spaces that are up to State code.
OLEAN	City of Olean resurfaced the Barry Street municipal parking lot and created handicapped parking spaces that are up to State code.
OLEAN	Angees Restaurant in Olean now offers a large print menu for its customers who are visually impaired.
PLATTSBURGH	Drown's Funeral Home in Rouses Point made substantial improvements in a ramped entry, making the facility wheelchair accessible.
PLATTSBURGH	Center's Executive Director was named to the Sidewalk Show Removal Committee by the Mayor of Plattsburgh.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Astor Family Court Evaluation Services in Poughkeepsie now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Hudson River Housing, Hillcrest House in Poughkeepsie made its services accessible to residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie installed signage on tables in the food court to clearly identify them as accessible for persons who are disabled.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Rural Ulster Preservation Company in Kingston made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Citi Financial in Fishkill made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE	RGIS Inventory Specialists in Wappingers Falls made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC in Poughkeepsie made its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services.
QUEENS	Center staff became a member of the Queens branch of New York City Affordable Housing Coalition.
QUEENS	Center staff became a member of the Queens Borough President's Disability Task Force.
QUEENS	Center staff became a member of the Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities to identify unmet needs, secure funding and review proposals for services to Queens' residents with developmental disabilities.
ROCHESTER	Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) Lift Line paratransit service changed its application to exclude questions that were confusing, redundant, unnecessary, and intrusive.
ROCHESTER	Peggy's Bridal and Tuxedo in Rochester changed its practice of refusing entry to individuals who use wheelchairs for fear of dirtying the carpet and now has clear signage instructing everyone to remove their shoes upon entering and has staff at the door in order to offer assistance to those who use wheelchairs, walkers, etc. to wipe down the wheels.
ROCHESTER	Center's Director of Advocacy is a member of the City of Rochester Housing Market Study Advisory group, which published a study that acknowledged the need for more affordable and accessible housing and that included recommendations for development of Universal Design information specific to Rochester, education of builders, and an ordinance requiring Universal Design.
ROCHESTER	City of Rochester increased allocated funds for snow removal that includes plowing the sidewalks more often, as well as the purchase of more snowplows, including one that plows all the way to the sidewalk, instead of leaving a half inch of snow behind.
ROCHESTER	Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) expanded the Lift Line paratransit service by establishing a new Supplemental Service area.
ROCHESTER	Rochester Housing Authority requested that Center staff sit on a task force to address the utilization of community vouchers.
ROCHESTER	City of Rochester installed an audible traffic signal at the intersection of State Street and Jay Street.
ROCKLAND	Town of Haverstraw Town Hall in Garnerville added an access isle for an existing handicapped parking space.
ROCKLAND	El Bandido Mexican Restaurant in Spring Valley now has wheelchair accessible tables and a handicapped parking space.
STATEN ISLAND	Medical Building at 111 Ralph Place on Staten Island constructed an accessible bath-room on the first floor.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
STATEN ISLAND	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.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island installed an audible pedestrian signal at the intersection of Castleton Avenue and Bard Avenue.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island installed an audible pedestrian signal at the intersection of Forest Avenue and Bennet Avenue.
STATEN ISLAND	Sovereign Bank at Bard and Forest Avenues on Staten Island removed a step and made the bank accessible.
STATEN ISLAND	CVS Pharmacy at Bard and Castleton Avenues on Staten Island removed a step and added a ramp.
STATEN ISLAND	New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Staten Island installed signage that directs consumers to the building's accessible entrance.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during July 2007 of NYS legislation clarifying NYS Human Rights Law and ensuring that individuals with hearing disabilities are afforded the same rights to the use of service animals as others with disabilities.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during July 2007 of NYS legislation requiring that handicapped parking permits contain the last three digits of the driver's license or non-driver identification card to identify to whom the handicapped parking permit is issued.
STATEN ISLAND	NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Access-A-Ride paratransit service established policy requiring telephone service operators who make reservations receive sensitivity and awareness training regarding individuals with disabilities.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of Staten Island Borough President's Advisory Board for the Disabled.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of the Verizon Consumer Assistance Program.
STATEN ISLAND	Center is a member of Regional Council for Developmental Disabilities.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island changed Silver Lake Road from a two-way street to a one-way eastbound street from Brighton Avenue to Duer Lane so that persons who are disabled can cross safely.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island changed Ridgewood Place from a two-way street to a one-way southbound street from Castleton Avenue to Forest Avenue so that persons who are disabled can cross safely.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island changed Walbrooke Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way southbound street from Castleton Avenue to Forest Avenue so that persons who are disabled can cross safely.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island changed Randall Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way northbound street from Forest Avenue to Castleton Avenue so that persons who are disabled can cross safely.
STATEN ISLAND	Center was active in the local effort that resulted in the Bowling Green subway station in Lower Manhattan completing renovations to become accessible.
STATEN ISLAND	Staten Island changed North Mada Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way southbound street from Castleton Avenue to Forest Avenue so that persons who are disabled can cross safely.
SYRACUSE	Center was instrumental in the creation by Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (operating as CENTRO serving Onondaga County) of a committee to review consumer appeals in the Call-A-Bus paratransit service.
SYRACUSE	Oswego Ladies Home installed a ramp.
SYRACUSE	City of Syracuse Department of Public Works corrected the curb cuts at the intersection of Teal Avenue and Grand Boulevard that were not accessible due to the lip not being flush with the street.
SYRACUSE	Christopher Community in Syracuse, not-for-profit development and management company, agreed a new affordable housing complex at Merriman Avenue on Syracuse's West side will have a set number of visitable units with a designated number of these units set aside for persons with disabilities.
SYRACUSE	Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CENTRO) serving Onondaga County adopted policy for Call-A-Bus paratransit service to offer door-to-door service on as needed basis if need is identified at time of application and/or reservation request.
SYRACUSE	Through participation in Project Accessible Syracuse, the Center was involved in development of guide for persons with disabilities titled "A Guide to Accessible Dining Establishments in Downtown Syracuse" that was placed on Syracuse University Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies website.
TROY	Leahy's restaurant in Troy now provides a Braille menu for its patrons who are blind.
TROY	Menands Diner now provides its menu in Braille for patrons who are blind.
TROY	M and T bank, at 251 River Street in Troy, installed a new accessible entrance and a light weight door with credit card access.
TROY	Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) now provides its schedules and other information in accessible formats including Braille, tape or large print. The CDTA web site home page now includes a statement that materials are available in accessible format upon request.
TROY	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
WATERTOWN	Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands Area Chapter in Watertown incorporated visitability into the construction of its homes and built its first fully accessible home in Watertown.
WATERTOWN	Village of Copenhagen renovated its municipal office space to make bathrooms accessible and added a ramp to the front that met code requirements.
WATERTOWN	Center spearheaded the establishment of a transportation Task Force in Lewis County, which obtained the first grant to provide transportation to youth with disabilities for leadership trainings.
WATERTOWN	Center staff was appointed to serve on the City of Watertown Transportation Commission.
WHITE PLAINS	Barnes Office Center in Carmel improved its access by leveling and smoothing the path from the main entrance to the parking area.
WHITE PLAINS	Center's Mental Health Systems Advocate, a person of Hispanic origin with a mental illness, is a member of the NYS Office of Mental Health Multi-cultural Advisory Committee.
WHITE PLAINS	State Budget for 2007-2008 included 2.5 million dollars in housing rent subsidies to be used exclusively for participants in the new NYS Department of Health Medicaid Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver program.
WHITE PLAINS	Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac now has handicapped parking spaces in the most convenient location and a ramp from the lobby to the dining room and elevator.
WHITE PLAINS	Westchester County Office for Disabled sent memo to Commissioners/Department Heads to remind them of existing policy regarding sign language interpreters, provide instructions for securing interpreters, and request appropriate staff be advised of policy.
WHITE PLAINS	Center staff is a member of the newly formed Westchester Disability Advocacy Partnership, which provides collaboration, communication and support in addressing the common goals and challenges shared with collective constituencies.
YONKERS	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage and signing into law during August 2007 of NYS legislation that clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability under the NYS Human Rights Law in the areas of public accommodations to be consistent with Title III of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
YONKERS	Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Yonkers established a new policy setting aside up to 5% of its Section 8 vouchers for people leaving institutions.

SOCIAL ADVOCACY 2006-2007

Center	SOCIAL ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE
ALBANY	Center was invited be a member of a City of Schenectady Engineering Department's advisory committee working on a project to make one of the playgrounds in Schenectady Central Park handicap accessible.
AUBURN	Cayuga County Parks and Trails Commission improved the access of the Little League Baseball Field restrooms at Emerson Park in Auburn by installing a handrail in the restroom and modifying an accessible parking space near the building.
AUBURN	Cayuga County Parks and Trails Commission canceled a plan to codify rules and regulations regarding the use of the County's parks and trails that would have banned all animals at these public places. The rules and regulations now include appropriate language to exempt service animals.
AUBURN	City of Auburn created a ramp and access routes leading to Pomeroy Park, which was previously inaccessible.
BATAVIA	As a result of the Center donating 25 excess walkers from its equipment loan closet to the Royal Rink Recreation Center in Batavia, the Rink changed its policies and procedures to allow people with disabilities to learn to ice skate by using a walker.
BINGHAMTON	Center became provider of certified services for the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) in the Southern Tier. UTAP provides standardized, objective information about the availability and condition of existing trails to all trail users, both with and without disabilities, and gives land managers a common language by which they can communicate with the public and each other.
BROOKLYN	Kingdom Life Ministries International in Brooklyn improved bathroom access by installing grab bars and changing the door to open outward.
BUFFALO	Center was active in the regional effort that resulted in Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park (home for the Buffalo Bills NFL football team) changing its parking plan to allow parking for persons with handicapped parking plates or permits to park in any lot where spaces are available and increasing the number of designated parking spaces, formerly they had been directed to a single lot that did not have appropriate accessible parking and suitable shuttle service.
BUFFALO	Buffalo Zoo changed policies and practices regarding media releases so they promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in zoo events and activities.
CORNING	Crystal Bowling Alley in the City of Corning now has available 2 accessible parking spaces for those with disabilities.
CORTLAND	J.M. McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland installed automatic doors at the entrance and repaved its parking lot to bring it to curb cut level making handicapped parking more accessible.
CORTLAND	God's Lighthouse of Praise church in Cortland installed an entrance ramp and a new doorway.
CORTLAND	Lime Hollow Nature Center for Environment and Culture in Cortland added an accessible trail, bridge and deck to provide access for individuals with disabilities to part of its trail system.
CORTLAND	SUNY Cortland Alumni House in Cortland added an accessible bathroom.
DELAWARE	Camp Kingswood in Hancock reconfigured a trail to provide access to the fishing area.
DELAWARE	East Worcester United Methodist Church improved access by making the bathroom accessible and changing door hardware throughout facility.
DELAWARE	Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Oneonta installed a ramp and door hardware to make the facility accessible.
DELAWARE	Organizers of the annual Meridale Dairy Festival changed its web site and policy to welcome service animals without requiring owners to provide proof that they are a ser-vice animal.
HARLEM	Manhattan Community Board #10 serving Harlem and Polo Grounds changed its practices when hosting social events and now holds most of them at the State building at 263 West 125th to ensure accessibility for all attendees who are disabled.
ITHACA	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.
ITHACA	Hangar Theatre in Ithaca makes available pocketalkers (assistive listening device for the hard-of-hearing) at each performance and is wheelchair accessible.
JAMESTOWN	Lutheran Social Services in Jamestown now provides a monthly activities schedule in Braille for its assisted living program.
JAMESTOWN	Falconer United Methodist Church in Jamestown now provides its monthly newsletter and worship schedule in Braille.
KINGSTON	City of Kingston created a curb cut at the parking lot across from the Visitors Center.
MIDDLETOWN	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.
MIDDLETOWN	Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Middletown installed two lockers in an accessible area of the pool section for use by people who use wheelchairs with signage designating this area.
NIAGARA FALLS	Center was active in the regional effort that resulted in Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park (home for the Buffalo Bills NFL football team) changing its parking plan to allow parking for persons with handicapped parking plates or permits to park in any lot where spaces are available and increasing the number of designated parking spaces, formerly they had been directed to a single lot that did not have appropriate accessible parking and suitable shuttle service.
POUGHKEEPSIE	Regal Cinemas at the Galleria Mall in Poughkeepsie now regularly offers captioned films for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
SUFFOLK	Town of Brookhaven constructed Diamond in the Pines Park in Farmingville with accessible parking, paths of travel, and restrooms, which includes Long Island's first accessible football field designed and constructed specially for wheelchair football.
SYRACUSE	Eastwood Senior Center in Syracuse designated two parking spaces closest to the entrance as accessible handicapped parking, formerly these spaces were designated for manager parking.
TROY	Center organized and is a member of an advisory committee to ensure a new trail being developed by the Columbia County Land Conservancy at the Greenport Conservation Area is fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
WHITE PLAINS	Center staff serves on the Access Westchester Board of Directors that is striving to create and maintain accessible playgrounds and parks throughout Westchester County.

CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY 2006-2007

Center	CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE
AMSTERDAM	Montgomery County Board of Elections purchased "Populex" digital ballot marking device for Fonda headquarters and includes on website and postcard sent to voters regarding location of assigned polling sites information about accessible voting machine.
AUBURN	Center staff serves on the Cayuga County Emergency Management Office Planning Committee that is revising the County’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to ensure the needs and concerns of people with disabilities are addressed.
BATAVIA	NYS Assembly member Stephen Hawley, representing the 139th Assembly District, established policies to ensure that meetings and rallies are held in accessible locations to enable persons with disabilities to attend.
BINGHAMTON	NYS Board of Elections changed its position to allow all voters to use "Plan B" accessible voting machines.
BROOKLYN	Center staff is a member of the Brooklyn Borough President's Advisory Committee on Disability Issues.
BROOKLYN	Center's Director of Advocacy is a member of New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) and serves as the Treasurer.
BROOKLYN	Center's Director of Advocacy is the President of the Board of Directors of the American Council of the Blind of New York (ACBNY), an affiliate of the national organization American Council of the Blind.
BROOKLYN	Center's Board President is a member of Local 1180 of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union located in New York City and serves on the Committee on Members with Disabilities.
BUFFALO	Erie County Board of Elections purchased an ES and S AutoMark optical scan voting system, which will allow voters with disabilities and people with other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently.
BUFFALO	Erie County Board of Elections moved County's accessible voting machine from inaccessible site to accessible site at Waterfront School in Buffalo designated as the Plan B polling location for primary and general elections in 2007.
BUFFALO	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to blocking a proposed amendment to the Federal Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 (revises requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems) that would postpone implementation of the Federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) until 2010.
CORNING	City of Corning now provides agendas to public meetings in large print format.
CORTLAND	Cortlandville Town Hall, which serves as a polling site, installed automatic doors at the main corridor and adjusted the pounds of pressure on interior doors for ease of opening.
HARLEM	Center's Executive Director was appointed thru the Manhattan Borough President's office to serve on the Manhattan Community Board #10 serving Harlem and Polo Grounds.
KINGSTON	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	NYS Board of Elections changed its position to allow all voters to use the "Plan B" accessible voting machines.
LONG ISLAND	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).
MASSENA	Town of Hammond Fire Hall, which serves as a polling site and social gathering place, removed a two inch lip at the front entrance door.
NEWBURGH	Orange County Board of Elections changed its practices and now includes on the postcard sent to all voters a new notification box alerting them as to where accessible voting machine would be available.
OLEAN	Town of East Otto improved access of the polling site at the Town Hall by creating handicapped parking spaces with signage and by removing the door sill at the building's rear entrance and installing signage to designate it as an accessible entrance.
PLATTSBURGH	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.
QUEENS	Center staff became a member of the Coalition for Far Rockaway to address emergency preparedness and health issues.
ROCHESTER	Town of Gates instituted a policy for providing sign language interpreters upon request for Town Board meetings.
ROCKLAND	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.
TROY	NYS Board of Elections changed its position to allow all voters to use the "Plan B" accessible voting machines.
UTICA	Oneida County Office for the Aging agreed to provide accessible transportation to the polls on Election Days for voters with disabilities.
WATERTOWN	Center's Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN) Advocate was appointed as a permanent member of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Council and serves on the committee to set-up emergency plans for people with disabilities and with service animals.
WHITE PLAINS	Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to blocking a proposed amendment to the Federal Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 (revises requirements for the audit capacity of voting systems) that would postpone implementation of the Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 until 2010.
WHITE PLAINS	Westchester County Board of Legislators proposed plan to apply for a waiver to retain the use of inaccessible voting lever machines was blocked.

Last Updated: November 30, 2011

ACCES-VR

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation

NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOME INVENTORY
OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

Table of Contents:

EDUCATION ADVOCACY 2006-2007

EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY 2006-2007

HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

COMMERCE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

SOCIAL ADVOCACY 2006-2007

CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY 2006-2007

University of the State of New York - New York State Education Department

ACCES-VR

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation

NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOME INVENTORY OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

Table of Contents:

EDUCATION ADVOCACY 2006-2007

EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY 2006-2007

HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

COMMERCE ADVOCACY 2006-2007

SOCIAL ADVOCACY 2006-2007

CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY 2006-2007

University of the State of New York - New York State Education Department

NYS INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
SYSTEMS CHANGE OUTCOME INVENTORY
OCTOBER 1, 2006 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2007