by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist While beginning a new school year can be exciting and stressful for everyone, disabled and chronically ill students may struggle even more than their peers.  If your student struggled or disliked school last year, they likely were not receiving the appropriate accommodations and/or services they needed to be successful.  With…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist With 3 to 5 million disabled individuals identifying as LGBTQ+, Pride month highlights the importance of the intersection of disability, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ identities.  For many reasons, disabled individuals’ gender identity and sexuality are rarely discussed.  Their invisibility erases their existence within LGBTQ+ communities and other gender and sexuality conversations and spaces. …

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist In May, Access to Independence (ATI) and the Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) held meetings with Assemblywoman Kelles (D-125) and Assemblyman Lemondes (D-126) to discuss important disability policy proposals. Staff and community members advocated for many of NYAIL’s policy priorities and both assembly members shared valuable insights to their work.…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Throughout February and March, the NYS disability community continued to advocate for our NYS budget priorities. In April, the final budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 was decided and voted on. Ultimately, the disability community had some wins, and some losses. Some of the most important outcomes include: Get Involved! While…

by Erin Vallely Whether a snowstorm in New York or the war in Ukraine, everyone is susceptible to unexpected disasters. With reports of at least 2.6 million verified disabled Ukrainians, plus hospitalized patients, and newly disabled war victims, this is a disability community crisis. As the Russian military continues to attack civilian areas, hospitals, hospices,…

Like many seniors and disabled / chronically ill individuals, I rely on other people to help me get in and out of bed, dressed, go to the bathroom, get to work, cook, and clean. Right now, I live in the community because my parents can provide the help that I need. However, if something happens…

by Erin Vallely, Advocacy Specialist Each year, the New York State government works together to create a statewide spending plan that meets many different needs. The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) picks a few important disability issues that they want to see in the state’s spending budget. Independent Living Centers, like ATI, then…