| Center |
EDUCATION ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ALBANY |
A Center staff member now acts as a recognized mandated parent representative
for Committee on Special Education (CSE) annual reviews, amendment meetings
and triennial's at Ichabod Crane Central School District in Columbia County. |
| AMSTERDAM |
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. |
| AMSTERDAM |
Amsterdam City School District: 1. 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 2. 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 would help Spanish speaking families with children who are disabled
to become and stay involved in their children's education. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Afton Central School District changed its procedures by bringing all of
its Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) students back to their
home schools and placing them in inclusive programs. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Maine-Endwell Central School District Committee on Special Education (CSE)
in Endwell integrated its Extended Year Summer Program, with students with
disabilities spending at least part of their days in an inclusive setting. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Binghamton City School District purchased $25,000 worth of Learning Software
to assist students with disabilities in improving/achieving better academic
outcomes. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Windsor Central School District changed its policy and redesigned the
Special Education services, making a Consultant teacher available to students
in each grade level, as well as shared aides in the classrooms. |
| CORNING |
Elmira City School District purchased new and additional telecommunications
devices for the deaf (TDD) for the Riverside Elementary School. |
| CORNING |
Elmira City School District purchased new and additional telecommunications
devices for the deaf (TDD) for the Pine City Elementary School. |
| CORNING |
Elmira City School District purchased new and additional telecommunications
devices for the deaf (TDD) for the Broadway Elementary/Middle School. |
| CORNING |
Elmira City School District purchased new and additional telecommunications
devices for the deaf (TDD) for the Southside High School. |
| DELAWARE |
Center staff was invited to participate on the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego
/ Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
Committee on Special Education (CSE) Chairpersons Task Force. |
| DELAWARE |
A Center representative was appointed to the NYS Office of Vocational
and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) State
Rehabilitation Council. |
| GLENS FALLS |
South Glens Falls City School District added the Center to the list of
community resources for students with disabilities distributed with every
Committee on Special Education (CSE) mailing. |
| GLENS FALLS |
The Center established a new computer training program for persons with
disabilities over age 45 as part of its Center for Adaptive Computer Technology
(CACT).Funding of $9,300 was secured from the Leo-Cox Beach Foundation. |
| HARLEM |
City University of New York (CUNY), City College of NY (CCNY) in Harlem
improved access at the Science building by placing signage to clearly indicate
which area of the building is accessible for people in wheelchairs. |
| ITHACA |
Newfield Central School District changed its policy to allow the Center's
Student Services Coordinator to be involved in the development of transition
plans and attend the Individual Education Plan (IEP) conferences. |
| JAMESTOWN |
American Association of University Women (AAUW), Dunkirk-Fredonia Branch
now holds all of its meetings at accessible locations to accommodate members
with disabilities.AAUW's mission is to advance equity for women and girls
through advocacy, education, and research. |
| KINGSTON |
A collaborative funding application with another ILC (Taconic Resources
for Independence in Poughkeepsie) to the NYS Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) was approved for a Family Support
Services grant to provide special education advocacy. |
| LONG ISLAND |
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. |
| MIDDLETOWN |
The Center's Orange County Director of Services started serving on the
Orange County Education and Training Consortium. |
| MIDDLETOWN |
The Center's funding application to the Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities
Services Office (DDSO), NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities (OMRDD) was approved to conduct a Social Skills Training for
Children on the Autism Spectrum program in Sullivan County.The funding
is for five years, and the annualized amount is $26,881. |
| NEWBURGH |
Mid-Hudson Region Early Childhood Direction Center (ECDC), operated by
the Center, became a partner in the Orange County Parenting Coalition sponsored
by Cornell University Cooperative Extension in Ithaca.The ECDC is now included
in the Coalition's publications and brochures to parents. |
| NEWBURGH |
Hudson Valley Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Thiells
implemented a policy change giving consumers, family members and their advocates
the right to challenge second step panel decisions that would deny services
to individuals that should rightfully be entitled to receive them. |
| NEWBURGH |
Newburgh Enlarged City School District changed its policy to provide equal
access to extracurricular activities for students receiving special education
services. |
| OLEAN |
Sunshine Christian Preschool in Allegany adopted the Center's "Same Yet
Different" program coloring books as part of its yearly curriculum. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Rhinebeck Central School District made its services accessible to students
who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
A collaborative funding application with another ILC (Resource Center
for Accessible Living in Kingston) to the NYS Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) was approved for a Family Support
Services grant to provide special education advocacy. |
| ROCKLAND |
Eldorado Elementary School in Chestnut Ridge established procedures to
conduct an annual Disability Awareness Day. |
| SUFFOLK |
The Center established a written agreement with the Kings Park Central
School District to provide peer counseling services to students with disabilities. |
| TROY |
Hudson City School District incorporated training conducted by the new
Columbia County Transition Outreach Team (ILCHV was one of the organizers)
as a component of the School District's annual staff development training. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
Edgemont School District in Scarsdale modified its policies and developed
individualized programs that meet the transition needs of their students
with disabilities. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
The Center received a $6,500 grant from Verizon to fund an American Sign
Language (ASL) for Literacy and Awareness Program to teach American Sign
Language in schools to children at an early age |
| WHITE PLAINS |
The Center was awarded a grant from NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning
Council (DDPC) to conduct a Mentoring Project-Partners for Success.The
project is designed to increase employment readiness of persons with disabilities.It
was funded at $55,000 per year for each of two years with a start date of
4/1/06. |
| Center |
EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ALBANY |
Hoffman's Playland in Latham removed an illegal question from its application
for employment. |
| AMSTERDAM |
A Center staff member received a public sector appointment to the Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie
Counties Workforce Development Board (in Amsterdam) Emerging Worker Council
by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. |
| BATAVIA |
Center staff started serving on the Genesee County Career Center, One-Stop
in Batavia, Human Services Committee. |
| BATAVIA |
The Center established a written agreement with the Genesee County Career
Center, One-Stop in Batavia, to provide Plan for Achieving Self-Support
(PASS) development and other employment services to their consumers who
have disabilities. |
| BRONX |
The Center was selected to serve on a task force that created the Community
Benefits Agreement (CBA) regarding the new Gateway Center mall at Bronx
Terminal Market that includes job development and employment initiatives
for people with disabilities.Currently, BILS is serving on the oversight
task force to ensure enforcement of the CBA. |
| CORNING |
NYS Department of Labor office for Chemung County in Elmira installed
a videophone for customers who are Deaf. |
| CORNING |
Center staff was invited to join the Chemung County Youth Board Advisory
Board in Elmira to address the employment of persons with disabilities
by the Chemung County Youth Bureau. |
| CORNING |
Chemung County Youth Bureau in Elmira established new policies for its
Chemung County Summer Cohesion Program to recognize the need to make accommodations
for employees with disabilities - interpreters and other accommodations
are now available. |
| CORTLAND |
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. |
| CORTLAND |
The Center's Executive Director was invited to join the J. M. Murray
Center's Business Advisory Council, which promotes competitive employment
of people with disabilities through links with the Chamber of Commerce
and business community. |
| DELAWARE |
NYS Department of Labor added a link to the Job Accommodation Network
(JAN) on its Career Zone, Career Information web site at http://www.nycareerzone.org/. |
| DELAWARE |
The Center entered into an agreement with NYS Office of Vocational and
Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) Southern
Tier District Office to conduct Group Orientations and to provide Fast
Track services at the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative
Educational Services (BOCES) Sidney Center |
| DELAWARE |
The Center was awarded a contract from Chenango/Delaware/Otsego Workforce
Investment Board to provide disability program navigator services throughout
the three county area. |
| HARLEM |
Center staff serves on the New York City Mayor's Office for People with
Disabilities Committee for Disabilities Mentoring Day, which promotes competitive
employment of people with disabilities through ongoing work with employers,
job seekers, and the small business community. |
| ITHACA |
Lifelong, Inc. in Ithaca adopted a new diversity policy that includes
policies and procedures to address the employment of people with disabilities
as well as their participation in the agency's programs. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Jamestown One-Stop installed computer software to assist consumers with
limited or no vision. |
| LONG ISLAND |
The Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy was appointed to
the Long Island Working Partnership-business, government, and community
agencies working to enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. |
| MASSENA |
One Work Source, One-Stop in Malone, changed its practices by allowing
the Center to use a portable swipe card device to monitor attendance at
an Independent Living Skills class conducted at the Center's Malone One-Stop
Outreach Office rather than requiring consumers to attend the class at
the One-Stop. |
| NEWBURGH |
The Center was awarded funding under a contract with the NYS Office of
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
to provide specialized vocational services to Deaf and hard of hearing
individuals. |
| NEWBURGH |
NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities (VESID) Mid-Hudson District Office in Poughkeepsie changed
its practices to incorporate Independent Living Center services as part
of the VESID Orientations in 3 cities (Middletown, Monticello and Newburgh) |
| NEWBURGH |
Feders Acura automobile dealership in Middletown modified its established
policies and procedures to provide reasonable accommodation to employees
who are Deaf. |
| NEWBURGH |
The Center established a formal arrangement with the Orange County One-Stop,
Orange Works Career Center, Newburgh site to provide on-site advocacy services
for persons with disabilities. |
| NIAGARA FALLS |
The Center's efforts resulted in 6 consumers being approved for services
through the newly legislated Medicaid Buy-in demonstrating local implementation
of the program in Niagara County. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
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. |
| ROCKLAND |
URENA'S 3 IN -1 (Event Decoration-Esthetic-Salon) in West Haverstraw
changed its application form to an accessible format in both English and
Spanish for prospective employees who are visually impaired. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
The Center entered into contractual agreement with NYS Commission for
the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) Manhattan District Office to
conduct pre-employment program for blind or visually impaired persons to
prepare them for competitive employment. |
| UTICA |
The Center was awarded funding in partnership with the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison
Workforce Investment Board to conduct a federal program entitled, "Projects
with Industries" that focuses on serving young adults ages 16-25.Services
include vocational experiences and mentorship opportunities. |
| YONKERS |
The Center established a sub-contract with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce
Investment System to provide Disability Program Navigator services in Putnam
County at the One-Stop in Carmel. |
| Center |
HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ALBANY |
Schenectady County Department of Senior and Long Term Care Services developed
a Voluntary Evacuation Registry for Schenectady County residents with disabilities. |
| ALBANY |
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady changed its procedure
to include the Center's brochure in their discharge planning packets. |
| ALBANY |
NYS Department of Health ordered Albany County Department of Social Services
to change its policy to disregard for Medicaid eligibility purposes income
deposited into a supplemental needs trust the month of receipt |
| AUBURN |
Cayuga County Department of Health and Human Services in Auburn now makes
a new brochure on Temporary Assistance services available in large print
for persons who are visually impaired. |
| BATAVIA |
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. |
| BATAVIA |
The Center was active in the national effort that led to the passage and
signing into law of the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that included
the "Money Follows the Person" deinstitutionalization initiative during
July 2006. |
| BATAVIA |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that resulted in the
NYS legislature ensuring the continuation of Preferred Drug List protections
initially through passage of the Article VII Language Bill in response to
the Governor's 2006 Executive Budget, and then overriding the Governor's
veto of the language bill. |
| BATAVIA |
Center staff started serving on the Genesee County Mental Health Single
Point of Accountability/Adults and Children Services Initiative (SPOA/ACSI)
Committee, which is a NYS Office of Mental Health initiative. |
| BATAVIA |
As a result of the Center's involvement with the Genesee County Long Term
Care Task Force, a booklet entitled "Sharing Your Wishes" is available for
elderly persons who are disabled to use when they are hospitalized. |
| BINGHAMTON |
The Center was active in the national effort that led to the passage and
signing into law of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that included the "Money
Follows the Person" deinstitutionalization initiative during July 2006. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Feet First in Norwich began providing sign language interpreters for patients
who are Deaf. |
| BINGHAMTON |
As a result of the Center's participation on the Broome County Children's
Mental Health Task Force's, both the Single Point of Accountability (SPOA)
and the Coordinated Children's Services Initiative (CCSI) opened their admissions
to children with Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation. |
| BINGHAMTON |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that prevented negative
changes to the Medicaid program by restoring cuts to Family Health Plus
that were passed in the initial budget, ensuring that transfers of assets
will NOT be penalized for home care services or assisted living, and thwarting
efforts to repeal Spousal Refusal. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Accusite PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) Imaging
Center in Johnson City began providing sign language interpreters for patients
who are Deaf. |
| BUFFALO |
NYS Office of Mental Health Western New York Field Office in Buffalo changed
the educational materials available to inform consumers about, and rights
under, Social Clubs and Care Coordination through the Personalized Recovery
Oriented Services Program |
| BUFFALO |
The Center was active in the national effort that led to the passage and
signing into law of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that included the "Money
Follows the Person" deinstitutionalization initiative during July 2006. |
| CORNING |
Arnot Ogden Medical Center Hospital in Elmira installed videophone services
- one for patients who are Deaf and one for staff use. |
| CORTLAND |
Cortland Medical Center created an accessible unisex bathroom for individuals
with disabilities. |
| CORTLAND |
Renaissance OB/GYN Of Cortland (Dr. Garcia) made its restroom accessible
to patients who are disabled. |
| DELAWARE |
Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton made the necessary improvements to
its public bathroom to increase its accessibility. |
| GLENS FALLS |
North Country Home Health Care in Saranac Lake became a provider of services
under the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid
Waiver program in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Belvedere Brain Injury Program of Albany became a provider of services
under the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid
Waiver program in Saratoga County |
| HARLEM |
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. |
| ITHACA |
The Center was invited to join the Diversity Committee at Lifelong, Inc.
in Ithaca, which promotes wellness in later life through recreation, education,
advocacy and volunteering for persons aged 50 and over. |
| ITHACA |
Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca adopted a policy to improve access for
patients who are Deaf that includes telecommunications devices for the Deaf
(TDD) at the reception desk and in the Emergency Room, a contract with Empire
Interpreting Service to provide sign language interpreters when needed,
and a TDD loan agreement with FLIC, if necessary. |
| ITHACA |
Center staff started serving on the Advisory Committee for the Tompkins
County Single Point of Accountability (SPOA) Team, which is a NYS Office
of Mental Health initiative. |
| ITHACA |
Center staff started serving on the Health Planning Council of Tompkins
County (affiliated with Tompkins County Human Services Coalition) to ensure
access to and the quality of health care services. |
| ITHACA |
Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca established a new Emergency Department
and a new Radiology Department each with examination tables designed to
be accessible to patients with disabilities. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Jamestown Primary Care installed a telecommunications device for the Deaf
(TDD) to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Chautauqua County Behavioral Health in Jamestown now provides sign language
interpreter services for consumers who are Deaf. |
| KINGSTON |
Kingston Medical Arts Building improved its access by installing automatic
door openers. |
| KINGSTON |
Crime Victims Assistance Program in Kingston installed an accessible ramp
into the building. |
| MANHATTAN |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that resulted in the
NYS legislature eliminating mandatory Medicaid emergency department co-pays
(for Family Health Plus consumers) initially through passage of the Article
VII Language Bill in response to the Governor's 2006 Executive Budget, and
then overriding the Governor's veto ofthe language bill. |
| MANHATTAN |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that resulted in the
NYS legislature withdrawing legislation that would have given retrospective
confidential identifiable information about health and mental health care
utilization to Medicaid health plans without consumer protections. |
| MANHATTAN |
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. |
| MANHATTAN |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that resulted in the
NYS legislature ensuring the continuation of Preferred Drug List protections
initially through passage of the Article VII Language Bill in response to
the Governor's 2006 Executive Budget, and then overriding the Governor's
veto of the language bill. |
| MANHATTAN |
New York City Council restored full funding to the New York City Managed
Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP) |
| NEWBURGH |
Orange County Department of Mental Health adopted a policy that includes
annual Deaf cultural competency/accessibility training for personnel in
Orange County. |
| NEWBURGH |
Arden Hill Hospital in Goshen made a telecommunications device for the
Deaf (TDD) and sign language interpreter services available to individuals
and families who are Deaf. |
| NEWBURGH |
St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital made a telecommunications device for the
Deaf (TDD) and sign language interpreter services available to individuals
and families who are Deaf. |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services in Little Valley incorporated
the Center's Jail Transition Program for use when transitioning inmates
who are disabled back into the community. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
Essex County purchased a wheelchair accessible bus for Medicaid transportation
to improve medical transportation for persons who are disabled. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
Essex County Department of Social Services established fee-for-service
contracts with local transportation providers to provide wheelchair accessible
Medicaid transportation for persons who are disabled. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
The efforts of the Center's satellite in Ray Brook, Tri Lakes Center for
Independence, resulted in the Essex County Department of Social Services
and Department of Health signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
Community Work and Independence of Glens Falls for the provision of Consumer
Directed Personal Assistance (CDPA) services in Essex County. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
The Center's Executive Director was named to a newly-formed Clinton County
Long Term Care Council, which is part of the county's implementation of
the Single Point of Entry NYS Office of Mental Health initiative for long
term care. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Mental Health Association of Rockland County (Sidney Paul Center) in Garnerville
now provides sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate
with members who are Deaf or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Northern Medical Specialist in Carmel now provides sign language interpreter
services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf or hard of
hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Richard A. Chazkel, MD (Urology) in Kingston now provides sign language
interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf
or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Valley Obstetrics and Gynecology in Poughkeepsie now provides sign language
interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf
or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Northern Dutchess ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) in Rhinebeck now provides
sign language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients
who are Deaf or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
AIDS Related Community Services in Hawthorne now provides sign language
interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf
or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck now provides sign language interpreter
services to effectively communicate with residents who are Deaf or hard
of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Maternal Infant Services Network in Central Valley now provides sign language
interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who are Deaf
or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Brian Reade, DPM with At Your Feet Footcare in Brewster now provides sign
language interpreter services to effectively communicate with patients who
are Deaf or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Albany now provides sign language
interpreter services to effectively communicate with members who are Deaf
or hard of hearing. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
Staten Island University Hospital now distributes questionnaires to consumers
entering the hospital that advises them of their rights and responsibilities
and asks them what their individual needs are. |
| UTICA |
The Center's funding applications for two 5-year grants to the NYS Department
of Health Bureau of Chronic Disease were approved to conduct the Alzheimer's
Disease Community Services Program in Oneida and Lewis Counties. |
| WATERTOWN |
Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown increased the number of accessible
parking spaces and located them on a flat surface increasing the accessibility
and safety for visitors with disabilities to the Medical Center. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
Cortland Re-entry program in Cortland became a provider of services under
the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver
program. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
The Center's Director of Independent Living Services, who is a mental
health recipient, is now the only board member with a disability of Families
Together, a statewide group made of parents or family members of youth with
mental illness. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
The Center's Mental Health Systems Advocate is now the only parent with
a psychiatric disability represented on the NYS Office of Mental Health's
Parents with Psychiatric Disabilities Planning Group. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
Epilepsy Foundation of Southern New York in Pearl River became a provider
of services under the NYS Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Medicaid Waiver program. |
| YONKERS |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that prevented negative
changes to the Medicaid program by restoring cuts to Family Health Plus
passed in the initial budget, ensuring that transfers of assets will NOT
be penalized for home care services or assisted living, and thwarting efforts
to repeal Spousal Refusal. |
| Center |
COMMERCE ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ALBANY |
Center staff joined the Schenectady County Program Coordinating Committee. |
| ALBANY |
Center staff joined the Albany County Program Coordinating Committee. |
| AMSTERDAM |
Amsterdam Post Office installed touch pads to its entrance doors to
provide easy access to the building for people with disabilities. |
| AUBURN |
Cayuga County Sheriff's Department, at their County House Road site,
installed a handicapped accessible parking spot for training purposes
and as a template for how they are legally supposed to be installed. |
| AUBURN |
Wal-Mart department store in Auburn now plays recorded messages on its
overhead sound system reminding shoppers about who can and can't park
in handicapped accessible parking spots. |
| AUBURN |
Mattie Street Dairy, in Auburn, a '50's inspired ice cream shop, increased
the building's access by replacing a simple, noncompliant ramp with a
compliant ramp with rails and hand grips and by striping the parking spaces
for handicapped access. |
| AUBURN |
Green Shutters Restaurant in Auburn now has large print menus available
for its customers who are visually impaired. |
| AUBURN |
Old Erie Restaurant in Weedsport made its menu available in large print
for patrons who are visually impaired. |
| AUBURN |
A collaborative funding application with the Cayuga County Department
of Planning and Economic Development and Homsite Development Corporation
to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a countywide
Community Development Block Grant to conduct a Home Access and Repair
Program was awarded.The Center will be coordinating the home modification
component of the grant. |
| BATAVIA |
Center staff started serving on the Genesee County Public Defenders
Advisory Committee to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities to
the highest level of representation possible. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Johnson City Police Traffic Division raised all on-street handicapped
parking signs in Johnson City to the proper height. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Broome Center for the Performing Arts, The Forum, in Binghamton implemented
a policy for people with limited mobility, but who don't need the wheelchair
seating option, of reserving the least expensive seating for those who
can't climb the stairs |
| BROOKLYN |
The Center was active in the local effort that led to the New York City
Mayor signing into law during June 2006 a bill regarding the public sale
of additional taxicab licenses that will increase the number of wheelchair
accessible taxis and alternative fuel taxis.Accessible taxis will increase
from 27 to 231. |
| BROOKLYN |
National Wholesale Liquidators at 2201 59 Street, Brooklyn eliminated
the cart corral so customers who use wheelchairs can access carts, established
a policy of putting boxes on dollies so they can be moved when needed,
added a lower shelf to the cashiers counter to accommodate customers who
use wheelchairs, added the Personnel Director's contact information to
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) hotline in case of complaints,
and made the unisex bathroom fully accessible. |
| BUFFALO |
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. |
| BUFFALO |
Police Mental Health Coordination Project, collaboration between law
enforcement and the emergency mental health system in Erie County to coordinate
improved police response, adopted a new reporting form that is designed
to ask consumers to state in their own words what is going on in the crisis. |
| BUFFALO |
The Sun, a weekly newspaper in Hamburg, adopted for staff training the
Center's "Style Book" that is designed for media outlets to use in reporting
issues regarding persons with disabilities. |
| BUFFALO |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage
and signing into law of the Access to Home Program during August
2006.The
program provides financial assistance to property owners to make
dwelling units accessible for low- and moderate income persons with disabilities. |
| BUFFALO |
The Metro Community News, a weekly newspaper in Buffalo, adopted for
staff training the Center's "Style Book" that is designed for media outlets
to use in reporting issues regarding persons with disabilities. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Three Birds/Restaurant. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Foto Factory. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at London Underground. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at I Love New York Bagels. |
| CORNING |
Corning Glass Workers Union Hall in Corning put in a new accessible
ramp. |
| CORNING |
Steele Memorial Library in Elmira installed a videophone for individuals
with disabilities to utilize their high-speed Internet connection |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Wireless World. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Fat Cats. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Wild Birds Unlimited. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at M and T Bank. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Market Street Brewing. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Sprague Insurance. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Corning Visitor Bureau. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Urban Cottage. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Berger's. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Snooty Pig. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at West Market Street Stores. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Gaffer Grill. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Off track Betting. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at The Shoe Doctor. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Manpower. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at American Red Cross Greater Steuben
Chapter. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Heart to Hand Gallery. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Browns Cigar Store. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Bongs. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Adecco. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Galvin and Haines. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Route 81 Radio. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Connors Mercantile. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Every /Girls Dream. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Noah's Ark. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Corning Credit Union. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Flip Flop. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Crystal Rose. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Katherine's Garden. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at AJ's Hair. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Home Again. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Beyond Baskets. |
| CORNING |
Chemung County Transit installed power entry doors at its Chemung County
Transportation Center in Elmira |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at West End Gallery. |
| CORNING |
City of Corning improved the access of the Market Street Historic District
by installing an automatic door opener at Bacalles Glass. |
| CORTLAND |
City of Cortland installed an audible pedestrian crossing signal at
the intersection of Port Watson, Tompkins and Main Streets. |
| CORTLAND |
The Center was active in the local effort that resulted in Housing Vision
Consultants in Syracuse being awarded funding by NYS Division of Housing
and Community Renewal for Cortland Crown Homes project that consists of
30 units of rehabilitated or newly constructed scattered site rental housing
including 5 units for persons with disabilities. |
| CORTLAND |
Center staff serves on the Cortland County Transportation Committee. |
| CORTLAND |
Center staff serves on the Cortland County Accessibility Committee to
address issues of accessibility in downtown Cortland. |
| CORTLAND |
A funding application through the NYS Access to Home program was approved.Funds
are provided to individual homeowners or renters to make housing accessible. |
| DELAWARE |
Laurens Town Hall established accessible parking and added special door
hardware. |
| DELAWARE |
Otsego County Economic Development Department in Oneonta established
accessible parking |
| DELAWARE |
Latham Homes in Oneonta installed a ramp into their office. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs installed a ramp to allow access for
persons with disabilities. |
| GLENS FALLS |
US Post Office in Whitehall installed an access ramp for persons with
disabilities. |
| HARLEM |
New York City Police Department changed its policies and procedures
for graduating cadets to receive trainings on disability issues and how
to work with persons with disabilities in the penal system. |
| HARLEM |
New York City Department of Transportation installed audible pedestrian
signals on all four corners of the intersection at West 125th Street and
St. Nicholas Avenue. |
| ITHACA |
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. |
| ITHACA |
Tompkins County Area Transit para-transit program, Gadabout, now makes
available an emergency telephone number for consumers to access the program
after hours. |
| ITHACA |
City of Ithaca Department of Public Works changed its practices and
now allows the Center to give input into the development of an annual
list of curb cut improvements to be done during the summer months. |
| JAMESTOWN |
CJ's Pizza and Subs in Westfield provides Braille menus for its patrons
who are blind. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Jake's Uptown Grille in Jamestown now provides Braille menus for its
patrons who are blind. |
| LONG ISLAND |
Cherrywood Plaza in Wantagh added curb cuts to the Plaza entrance and
to businesses within the Plaza. |
| LONG ISLAND |
The Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy was appointed as
an Advisory Committee member for the Long Island Transportation Access
Study. |
| MANHATTAN |
New York City Department of Homeless Services established an alternate
intake process for people with disabilities who are unable to use the
standard assessment shelter process and agreed to include guidelines on
accessibility as part of the inspection process for apartments for Housing
Stability Plus participants. |
| MASSENA |
Massena Taxi established a policy of informing drivers of their Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) responsibilities and posting the applicable
section of the ADA at the company office. |
| MIDDLETOWN |
Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Jervis blacktopped the sidewalk to make
it accessible for persons who use wheelchairs. |
| NEWBURGH |
Safe Harbors of the Hudson in Newburgh installed a telecommunications
device for the Deaf (TDD) at the Cornerstone Residence, a building it
owns that provides supportive housing, artists housing, and commercial
spaces. |
| NEWBURGH |
Safe Harbors of the Hudson in Newburgh improved access at the Cornerstone
Residence for residents with physical disabilities by: making both main
and rear entrances accessible; providing ramps internally in some hallways
in previous inaccessible locations; and installing strobe fire alarms
as doorbells for residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing. |
| NIAGARA FALLS |
The Center is a member of the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA)
Service Planning Committee to monitor and oversee services for persons
who are disabled. |
| NIAGARA FALLS |
Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA) headquartered in Buffalo established
the following new programs to assist persons with disabilities who use
the main line and para-transit systems: 1. allow personal assistants to
travel with consumers at no charge; and 2. a "LINK" system that permits
route deviation to connect to a main line or station and enables some
para-transit users who could use the main line system, but are out of
the 1.5 mile range, to LINK to a main line connection. |
| OLEAN |
City of Olean installed its first adaptive traffic signals for pedestrians
who are disabled at the intersection of State and Union Streets. |
| OLEAN |
The Center's Executive Director became a Board member of the Cattaraugus
Rural Housing Corporation in Salamanca, which is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Cattaraugus Community Action and holds ownership positions in several
properties developed for use as housing for the homeless, low-income,
elderly, and disabled. |
| PLATTSBURGH |
The Program Director at the Center's Ray Brook Satellite, Tri Lakes
Center for Independence, was named to and is serving on a Clinton, Essex,
and Franklin Counties committee to study improvements in the provision
and coordination of all forms of transportation in the three counties. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Wal-Mart department store in Newburgh made its services accessible to
individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language
interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Anthony M. Barraco, Attorney At Law in Highland made his services accessible
to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language
interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Bank of America Tax Processing Center in Kingston made its services
accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing
sign language interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation in Poughkeepsie made its services
accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing
sign language interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Town of Poughkeepsie Planning Department Section 8 Housing program made
its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing
by providing sign language interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
City of Poughkeepsie Assessor's Office made its services accessible
to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing sign language
interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Town of Montgomery Court provides sign language interpreter services
to effectively communicate with persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Rouzard and Rouzard, LLP (immigration legal services) in New City made
its services accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing
by providing sign language interpreter services. |
| ROCHESTER |
Monroe County Court House in Rochester installed appropriate signage
to identify the services available to persons with disabilities and included
signs explaining how to request adaptive equipment. |
| ROCHESTER |
The Center formally established the Transportation Advocacy Group to
address ongoing issues with Lift Line, the Rochester Genesee Regional
Transportation Authority paratransit service, as well as any new issues
that arise.The Group meets monthly for training and information sharing
to respond to Action Alerts and act on current issues. |
| ROCKLAND |
Rockland County Department of Public Transportation T.R.I.P.S. para-transit
service established a policy to allow its buses to enter a strip mall
(Pascak Plaza in Spring Valley) previously off limits to its buses |
| STATEN ISLAND |
Collaborative funding application with Richmond Senior Services in Staten
Island through NYS Access to Home program was approved.Funds are provided
to individual homeowners or renters to make housing accessible. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
Staten Island installed an audible pedestrian signal at the intersection
of Castleton Avenue and Brighton Avenue. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
Staten Island synchronized traffic lights on Forest Avenue to provide
better crossing times for pedestrians who are disabled. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that led to the passage
and signing into law of the NYS Access to Home Program during August 2006.The
program provides financial assistance to property owners to make dwelling
units accessible for low- and moderate income persons with disabilities. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
As a result of the Center's involvement with the New York City Metropolitan
Transit Authority (MTA) Para-transit Advisory Committee, car service vouchers
are now being issued to consumers who do not need wheelchair accessible
vans and when one is not available. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
The Center's Executive Director is a member of the New York City Metropolitan
Transit Authority (MTA) Para-transit Advisory Committee. |
| SUFFOLK |
Town of Islip improved access of Municipal Parking Lot #1 located behind
buildings at the corner of Grant Avenue and Montauk highway by creating
handicapped parking spots where none previously existed.People with disabilities
can now patronize local businesses. |
| SYRACUSE |
Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (operating as CENTRO)
serving Onondaga County adopted a policy for its Call-A-Bus paratransit
service to log in application with a 21-day follow-up to ensure applicants
will have a timely response to find out if they qualify for services and
improved its quality assurance procedure by agreeing to conduct unannounced
random inspections on CENTRO buses and paratransit vans to check wheelchair
tie-downs and to randomly inspect Blue Chip and other independent vendors
used by paratransit on tie-down procedures. |
| SYRACUSE |
City of Oswego installed a traffic light at the US Post Office on West
1st Street to make the street crossing safer for persons with disabilities. |
| SYRACUSE |
Village Green Condo 6, Condominium Association in Baldwinsville made
a policy change, which states the Condominium Association is responsible
to pay the cost of signs and installation for accessible parking space
designation. |
| SYRACUSE |
News 10 Now (a 24-hour local news television channel) in Syracuse installed
a vertical sign in front of the accessible parking aisle. |
| SYRACUSE |
Social Security Administration at the Federal Building in Syracuse lowered
the visitors' window and installed a phone through which consumers may
communicate confidentially. |
| SYRACUSE |
Center Staff with a disability now serves on the United Way of Greater
Oswego County, in Fulton, allocation committee, and Committee meetings
were relocated to accessible locations. |
| TROY |
The Center is a member of the Albany County Coordinated Human Services
Transportation Work Group. |
| UTICA |
Radisson Hotel in Utica created two fully accessible guest rooms including
bathroom facilities. |
| UTICA |
Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley in Utica now provides
sign language interpreting services for its consumers who are Deaf. |
| WATERTOWN |
Best Western Carriage House Inn in Watertown increased the number of
accessible parking spaces in their lot to be in compliance with the American
with Disabilities Act (ADA). |
| WHITE PLAINS |
The Center and another ILC (Westchester Disabled on the Move 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 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. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
A collaborative funding application with Westchester Residential Opportunities
(WRO) through the Access to Home program was approved.Grants up to $25,000
are now available to individual homeowners or renters in Westchester County
to make their housing more accessible. WILC is helping WRO to identify
individuals with disabilities in need of these funds.WRO operates sites
in White Plains, Mount Vernon, and Yonkers. |
| YONKERS |
Town of Mamaroneck improved access of the Town Center by installing
an accessible bathroom and a power door opener for the building. YONKERS
The Center and another ILC (Westchester Independent Living Center in White
Plains) worked with Westchester Residential Opportunities to develop an
Accessible Apartment Building Guide that is available on the Westchester
County Department of Planning Web site 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. |
| YONKERS |
Midway shopping Center in Scarsdale reconfigured its handicapped accessible
parking spaces making them Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant
and installed an elevator to provide access to lower level stores. |
| YONKERS |
City of Yonkers implemented the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE)
program, which protects eligible renters who have disabilities from being
priced out of their apartments as rents increase. |
| Center |
SOCIAL ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| AUBURN |
Milan Church in Locke improved access by installing a ramp. AUBURN 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. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Relay for Life of Western Broome County held in Vestal, an annual fundraising
event for the American Cancer Society, for the first time provided a sign
language interpreter for the opening ceremonies, as well as accessible
parking for the event, and committed to having interpreters for the entire
event next year. |
| BRONX |
The Center is a member of the committee overseeing construction of the
New York Yankees baseball team's new stadium in the Bronx.The committee
is hosted by United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of New York City that is leading
the disability cause for the new stadium. |
| BROOKLYN |
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. |
| BUFFALO |
Center for the Arts at the University of Buffalo, State University of
New York (SUNY), now makes a small number of accessible seats available
through their online ticket vendor and changed the information on their
box office telephone line to allow access to seats directly through the
box office. |
| CORNING |
Arnot Mall in Elmira improved access at its movie theatre complex by
adding movies with open captioning. |
| CORTLAND |
Grace Episcopal Church in Cortland installed a handicapped accessible
bathroom. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Moreau Town Park moved a portable accessible toilet closer to the pavilion
and added accessible parking spaces and a concrete path from the parking
lot to the pavilion. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Saratoga Springs installed
an access ramp. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Allen Park in Jamestown added asphalt paths to enable persons using wheelchairs
to reach the playground and bathrooms. |
| JAMESTOWN |
Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Jamestown installed a chair
lift to access the pool and now provides sign language interpreter services. |
| KINGSTON |
St. George's Church in Kingston installed an accessible ramp into the
building. |
| KINGSTON |
Bacchus Restaurant and pool hall in New Paltz installed panic hardware
along with a buzz-in system on an accessible entrance door that was being
kept locked. |
| MASSENA |
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. |
| MIDDLETOWN |
City of Port Jervis improved access at the Delaware River Heritage Trail
by developing three sections that are fully Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) compliant and by installing new directional signage throughout
the trail. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
St. Denis Catholic Church in Hopewell Junction made its social and recreational
activities accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by
providing sign language interpreter services. |
| POUGHKEEPSIE |
Newburgh Performing Arts Academy made its social and recreational activities
accessible to individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing by providing
sign language interpreter services. |
| ROCKLAND |
Haverstraw Little League now has handicapped parking at its ball fields
at Gurnee Avenue. |
| STATEN ISLAND |
St. George Theatre in Staten Island improved access by moving the bathrooms
to the first level and by changing an area of the orchestra seating to
allow individuals who use wheelchairs a full view of the stage. |
| SYRACUSE |
City of Oswego improved access at Harborfest 2006 by doubling the number
of accessible parking spaces at Breitbeck Park, the main venue of the event. |
| SYRACUSE |
Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool repaired the fishing dock and made it
accessible. |
| TROY |
Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) expanded its Special
Transportation Available by Request (STAR) service to regularly include
special events held at the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in
Delmar as part of Disability Awareness Month celebration activities. |
| TROY |
Center staff now serves on the Capital District Transportation Committee
to increase opportunities for more accessible transportation services to
recreational events. |
| UTICA |
New Day Church in Rome constructed accessible bathrooms. |
| UTICA |
Town of Trenton built a new accessible fishing deck |
| WATERTOWN |
Fish Island Partnership event in Dexter constructed an accessible fishing
dock to enable people with disabilities access to fishing on the Black
River. |
| WHITE PLAINS |
Westchester Jewish Community Services in White Plains secured funding
to establish a recreational/social group for teens with disabilities. |
| Center |
CITIZENSHIP ADVOCACY SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ALBANY |
Albany 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. |
| AMSTERDAM |
Montgomery County Board of Elections closed two polling sites in Amsterdam
that were not accessible, Saint Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church School
and Good Shepherd Church, and moved them to a single accessible site
at St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam. |
| AUBURN |
Cayuga County Board of Elections (CCBOE) in Auburn moved the County's
Plan B polling site from the CCBOE office, as it was not accessible
and the building contained asbestos, to the County Office Building that
is accessible and located across the street. |
| AUBURN |
As result of a collaborative effort involving three other ILCs (ATI
of Cortland County in Cortland, ARISE in Syracuse, Finger Lakes Independence
Center in Ithaca) to design and mail an accessibility pledge to elected
officials and candidates for office, Assemblyman Brian Kolb, representing
Onondaga, Ontario, Seneca, Cortland, and Cayuga Counties, wrote a letter
stating he would host meetings in accessible locations. |
| BINGHAMTON |
NYS Board of Elections clarified the definition of "tactile discernable
controls" in the revised Voting Systems Standards. |
| BINGHAMTON |
Broome County Board of Elections now includes on the postcard sent
to voters regarding the location of their assigned polling sites information
about alternate accessible entrances. |
| BRONX |
Bronx County Board of Elections purchased an Avante Vote Tracker system,
which will allow voters with disabilities and people with other special
needs to mark a ballot privately and independently. |
| BROOKLYN |
Democratic National Committee promulgated within its rules for delegate
selection the stipulation that people with disabilities be represented
in each State's delegation to its 2008 convention commensurate with
their role in the Democratic Party electorate.As a result, the New
York State Democratic Committee adopted rules that provide for the inclusion
of persons with disabilities in its delegate selection plan. |
| CORNING |
Center staff was invited to be a member on the Corning Mayor's committee
for relocation of polling places to accessible locations.All recommendations
were approved by the Steuben County Board of Elections to become effective
for the next election. |
| CORTLAND |
Cortland County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site in Marathon Districts 1 and 2 from Marathon Town Hall to Marathon
Civic Center. |
| CORTLAND |
Cortland County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site in Cuyler District 1 from Highway Garage to Cuyler Fire Station. |
| CORTLAND |
Cortland County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site in Cortlandville District 1 from Blodgett Mills Baptist Church
to Cortlandville Highway Garage in Polkville. |
| DELAWARE |
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. |
| DELAWARE |
Otsego County Board of Elections moved a polling place from an inaccessible
location to the new and accessible Foothills Performing Arts Center
in Oneonta. |
| DELAWARE |
Schenectady County Board of Elections agreed to provide materials
in alternate formats and to include a statement advising residents with
disabilities how they can request an accommodation if they plan on attending
a public meeting. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Warren County Municipal Center in Lake George completed the striping
for additional accessible parking spaces. |
| GLENS FALLS |
Fort Edward Town Hall added accessible parking spaces with appropriate
striping. |
| ITHACA |
Ithaca chapter of the Democratic Committee of Tompkins County now
holds its meetings at accessible locations. |
| ITHACA |
Center staff started serving on the Tompkins County Emergency Planning
Committee to ensure that people with disabilities are included in the
planning. |
| JAMESTOWN |
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. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Saugerties Rod and Gun Club to an accessible location at
the Woodstock Jewish Congregation in Saugerties. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at Dimicco Motors to an accessible location at the Reformed Church
of Comforter in Kingston. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Kingston Family Restaurant to an accessible location at
the Town of Ulster Town Hall. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Neighborhood General Store in Eddyville to an accessible
location at the Bloomington Firehouse. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Lutheran Church of Warwarsing to an accessible location
at the Kimble Hose Firehouse in Warawasing. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Methodist Church of Warwarsing to an accessible location
at the Town Office Building in Warwarsing. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Napanoch Firehouse to an accessible location at the Shawangunk
Senior Center. |
| KINGSTON |
Ulster County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site at the Rochester Town Hall to an accessible location at the Accord
Firehouse. |
| LONG ISLAND |
The Center's Director of Advocacy and Community Policy is a member of
the Long Island VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) Special
Needs Committee. |
| MANHATTAN |
New York City Board of Elections and New York City Mayor's Office
for People with Disabilities used CIDNY materials on their websites
to direct people to the special poll sites. |
| MANHATTAN |
Public School 110 Florence Nightingale School in New York City Assembly
District 64 improved its access as a polling site by correcting ramp
and entryway issues. |
| MANHATTAN |
The Center was active in the statewide ILC effort that resulted in
the NYS Court of Appeals denying the State's motion to review the unanimous
decision of the Appellate Division that struck down 18 NYCRR 352.2(b)
because it violated three provisions of the Social Services Law, which
reduced the public assistance benefits to households containing children
where at least one household member receives Supplemental Security Income
(SSI). |
| MANHATTAN |
The Center was active in the national effort that led to the US Congress
defeating Executive branch efforts to privatize the Social Security
program, which would have had a negative impact on people with disabilities. |
| MANHATTAN |
Coral Towers, a New York University residence hall in Assembly District
74, improved its access as a polling site by correcting entryway
violations. |
| MASSENA |
St. Lawrence County Board of Elections closed an inaccessible polling
site at Pyrites Fire Station and directed those voters affected to the
Potsdam polling site. |
| MIDDLETOWN |
Sullivan County Board of Elections moved an inaccessible polling site
from the Sullivan County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
facility in Monticello to the Monticello Fire Station. |
| NEWBURGH |
Village of Monroe Police Department changed its policies and procedures
to incorporate a new program entitled "No Person Left Behind" for persons
with disabilities for Emergency Preparedness Planning in the community. |
| NEWBURGH |
Orange County Board of Elections amended its transportation policy
and now makes available two vehicles to transport individuals with disabilities
who request transportation on Election Day. |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site to a new more accessible location at Machias, Districts 1 and 2, King
Memorial Library. |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site to a new more accessible location at New Albion, Districts 1 and 2,
Cattaraugus Firemen's Club (Social Hall). |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site to a new more accessible location at Yorkshire, Districts 1 and 3,
Delevan Volunteer Fire Co. Training Center. |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated a polling site within
an existing building to better address access issues at Salamanca, Wards
1-2, Seneca Elementary School. |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated a polling site within
an existing building to better address access issues at Olean, Ward
4-1 and 2, Jamestown Community College Cutco Theater (Lobby). |
| OLEAN |
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections relocated an inaccessible polling
site to a new more accessible location at Allegany, District 3, Allegany
Community Center. |
| ROCHESTER |
Monroe County Board of Elections purchased a Populex Digital Paper
Ballot System, which will allow voters with disabilities and people
with other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently. |
| SUFFOLK |
Town of Brookhaven increased opportunities for persons with disabilities
to attend Town Hall meetings and participate in other civic activities
by improving access at all five of the Town's parking lots.Improvements
included access aisles, striping and proper signage for existing accessible
parking spaces as well as numerous new curb cuts and accessible sidewalks
to the parking lots. |
| SYRACUSE |
Onondaga County Board of Elections in Syracuse eliminated 51 inaccessible
polling places and went from 243 sites to 192, thus making polling sites
more accessible to people with disabilities. |
| SYRACUSE |
An individual with a disability now serves on the Oswego County Emergency
Evacuation Committee, and Committee meetings were moved to an accessible
location. |
| WATERTOWN |
The Center's Statewide Systems Advocate was appointed to the Jefferson
County Emergency Preparedness Planning Committee. |
