NYAIL Announces its 2010 Legislative Day

NYAIL’s annual Legislative Day will be held on February 1.  More than 200 disability advocates including ILC staff and consumers are expected to gather at the Legislative Office Building in Albany to discuss NYAIL’s 2010 Disability Priority Agenda with law makers.  The 2010 Legislative Day documents are available for download:

• Disability Priority Agenda – Budget Priorities (pdf) (doc)
• Disability Priority Agenda – Policy Priorities (pdf) (doc)
• VESID Cost-Savings Data (pdf) (doc)

Proposals that reduce NYS spending and promote the independence and integration of seniors and people with disabilities

The state’s Independent Living network and disability community have been advocating for policy changes in New York that would increase the independence of seniors and people with disabilities. Despite the fact that these proposals were cost-effective and save money, the administration has been slow to act on the advocate proposals. Even in the face of serious financial difficulties, New York State has an unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of seniors and people with disabilities to support them living in the most integrated setting as mandated by the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision. Unfortunately, instead of developing state policy that promotes savings through people receiving services in the most integrated setting appropriate for their needs, the administration has simply proposed manipulating the Medicaid rates to generate savings. The administration’s approach has the potential to backfire and reverse progressive state policy, ultimately costing the state more in institutional care. Click here to read the full document.

Job Announcement: Regional Housing Educators

NYAIL is hiring four Regional Housing Coordinators for a new statewide Housing Education Project. Click here to read the full job description.

NYAIL Issues Report on Statewide Needs Assessment

In 2008, NYAIL contracted with the Center for Governmental Research Inc. (CGR) to conduct a needs assessment to determine how ILCs can more effectively meet the needs of people with disabilities throughout the state, to determine service gaps and barriers that interfere with the provision of services, and to determine the resources Centers will need in the future to best meet the needs of their constituents and how those resources should be best allocated.

• Continue reading the needs assessment report article
• Report Summary (pdf)
• Statewide Needs Assessment (full report) (pdf)
• Statewide Needs Assessment (full report) (doc)

Accessible Housing

Click here to find affordable, accessible housing across New York State: http://nyhousingsearch.gov

Governor David Paterson Addresses NYAIL Conference

The 2008 NYAIL Conference and Expo Taking Action for Independence:  Confrontation and Controversy on September 8-10 was a great success!  Nearly 300 disability advocates gathered at the Desmond Hotel in Albany for three days of plenaries and workshops designed to promote debate and collaboration on critical disability issues.  In particular, the conference addressed issues in housing, long term care, employment, education, transportation, and voting among other pertinent issues.  For a full look at the 2008 NYAIL Conference agenda, visit the 2008 Conference page.

Governor David Paterson delivered a highly anticipated address to disability advocates at the opening of NYAIL’s 2008 Conference and Expo in Albany, NY on September 8th.  For a complete video of Governor Paterson’s address visit his website at http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/index_video.html and scroll down to the link for September 8, 2008.