Learn about the independent living philosophy and history of ATI.
Independent Living means being able to make your own choices about where you live, who you live with, where you work, and how you spend your time. Everyone deserves to participate in community life and pursue the activities they want to. People should also be allowed to take risks and succeed and fail on their own terms. Independent Living requires knowing what choices are available, selecting what is right for them, and taking responsibility for their own actions. For people that have disabilities that affect their ability to make complicated decisions or pursue complex activities, independent living means making as many choices for themselves as possible.
In 1986, several human services agencies, local government representatives, and concerned citizens realized there was a lack of physical accessibility in Cortland County. To address this issue they formed the Cortland County Accessibility Committee (CCAC), a grassroots committee under the Community Action Program of Cortland County (CAPCO). Throughout the years, many efforts were made by CCAC on behalf of the civil rights and public awareness of people with disabilities.
First, CCAC worked with the Cortland Common Council on the Downtown Sidewalk project to ensure that all the sidewalks in downtown Cortland were accessible. CCAC’s next major accomplishment was the establishment of the Sheriff’s Accessible Parking Enforcement Program (SHAPE), with volunteers trained by the Sheriff’s Department to ticket individuals parked illegally in accessible parking spots in City lots. These initiatives were supported solely through CCAC’s grassroots funding activities.
By 1997, heightened community awareness led to recognition of the need for a centralized disability advocacy and resource center. The result was the creation of the Cortland County Access Center, a satellite office of the Ithaca-based Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC). The county legislature provided office space for the Center, while Assemblyman Martin Luster and Senator James Seward secured Member Item funding from the NY State Legislature to pay for office furniture and supplies.
In 1998, CCAC became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization called Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. (ATI). Under the guidance of a volunteer Director, additional funding was secured to support the Agency’s continuing efforts.
In 2000, Senator Seward and Assemblyman Luster co-sponsored legislation that identified ATI as New York State’s 36th Independent Living Center (ILC). Along with that designation came a second Member Item to cover start-up costs. In 2001, ATI began receiving ongoing funding through ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation), part of the State Education Department, to serve as an official ILC.