by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Did you know many religions celebrate holidays between November and January?  Regardless of your religious beliefs, it is likely you will host or attend a holiday celebration this time of year.  While holidays are usually joyous times to celebrate, people with disabilities and chronic illnesses often face accessibility problems when…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist The third Thursday of every November is National Rural Health Day, where we recognize the people dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of rural America.  While we have many wonderful local healthcare providers here in Upstate NY, it’s still very important for people to understand their legal rights as patients.  Sometimes…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Fall in Central New York means school is in session, festivals and events are in full swing, and people are gathering inside again as the weather becomes less predictable. While fall is a fun and exciting time of year, it can also be a dangerous time for people with underlying…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Anyone caring for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses knows the special education system can be difficult to navigate.  With school starting in New York soon, it’s important to know about the laws and vocabulary associated with special education that impact you and the students you care for.   Important Education…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist The first major political win for the disability rights movement occurred in 1977 with the enforcement of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.  Section 504 banned disability discrimination by organizations and programs that receive federal funding.  This legislation was written similarly to previous civil rights laws which banned race, ethnic…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist The start of summer weather in upstate New York means months full of community activities and festivals.  From company picnics to weekend-long street festivals, it’s important to ensure every member of the community can enjoy these opportunities.  While the inclusion of permanent accessibility practices is more common nowadays, the accessibility…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, our country has come a long way in ensuring our communities are physically accessible to everyone.  However, digital accessibility is still not a priority.  As of 2021, 98% of the world’s top 1 million websites were still not completely accessible.   The Benefits of…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist As people celebrate Earth Month and Earth Day this April, people are encouraged to go outside and enjoy nature.  However, disabled and chronically ill individuals are frequently left out of outdoor recreation campaigns and cannot access traditional opportunities to enjoy nature.  Outdoor gear companies rarely show visibly disabled and ill…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Trigger warnings: The following will discuss sexual assault, sexually transmitted infections and intimate partner violence.   In the past decade there has been an increased effort to promote awareness and prevention of unhealthy and abusive relationships.  While efforts focus on teaching basic skills like communication, consent, and conflict resolution, many disabled…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Ahead of National Disability Voter Right’s Week from September 12th-16th, ATI is encouraging everyone to make a plan to vote this November. It is important to vote in elections because government officials make decisions that significantly impact our community and lives in every area.  High voter-turnout also helps hold elected officials accountable to the people…