by Erin Vallely Since Donald Trump has taken over the presidency from Joe Biden, the amount of power the president has become a popular question. The President, also called the Executive branch of government, is responsible for enforcing laws written and passed by the Legislative branch of government, which is made up of the Senate…

by Erin Vallely About 250,000 New Yorkers receive personal care services through the Medicaid Consumer Directed Personal Assistance program.  This program allows people with long-standing illnesses or disabilities to recruit, hire, train, supervise and terminate their own caregivers.  Caregivers have historically been paid by a local fiscal intermediary close to the client’s home, but Governor…

by Erin Vallely It is important to know who our government representatives are because they make decisions that impact our daily lives.  They work together with the other elected government representatives to decide what issues to prioritize, what to do about the issues, and vote on how to address the issues.  They also decide what…

by Erin Vallely While nowhere is perfect, I am grateful to work in a community that is actively working to become more accessible, and equitable to all.  Our elected officials, democrats and republicans, understand the importance of healthcare and services to support disabled people and all actively advocate for the disability community.  They listen to…

by Erin Vallely Medical emergencies can happen anywhere at any time.  For people with disabilities and chronic health issues, it is especially important to be prepared for emergencies.  Emergencies are often stressful and chaotic, and you or those around you might not remember all the important information medical people need about you.  We hope everyone…

by Erin Vallely With autumn and winter on the way, it is especially important for people with disabilities to begin preparing.  Cold weather, rain, snow, and ice can make life much harder for people with visible and less visible disabilities.  The cost of living goes up, going outside can be dangerous, and illnesses spike.  To…

by Erin Vallely As a disabled individual, I received special education services when I was in school. Now, as Cortland County’s education advocate, I work with children and their guardians to ensure they receive the services and support they need to thrive in school. The biggest issue my clients face is not knowing what rights…

by Erin Vallely July is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. The law provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities and guarantees them equal access to public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.  As we…

by Erin Vallely While people frequently believe the LGBTQ+ community and the disability community have nothing in common, their histories, and current realities, are very similar.  Both communities have historically been excluded from mainstream society and continue to face discrimination in all areas of daily life.  With over a third of the LGBTQ+ adult population…