Success Stories
From Subminimum Wages to Competitive Employment
By Eric Selzo and Lindsay Miller
NYAIL’s Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) pilot program recently celebrated its first customized employment placement, achieved through Self-Initiated Living Options, Inc. (SILO). The SWTCIE program supports individuals who are currently earning—or at risk of earning—subminimum wages by helping them explore community-based employment with individualized support from Independent Living Center staff.
Before joining the program, Brandon faced significant challenges related to anxiety, especially when interacting with unfamiliar people. His support network worried these barriers might prevent him from pursuing competitive employment. But during a community-based Discovery activity, Brandon demonstrated a remarkable shift. He remained calm, engaged, and comfortable interacting with a local business owner—behaviors that contrasted sharply with what others had previously observed.
Discovery takes a different approach to employment assessment. Instead of testing, it tells a person’s story. Employment specialists spend time with participants in their homes, in the community, and in places they enjoy—observing strengths, preferred ways of learning, and environments where they thrive. This process helps create a fuller and more accurate picture of each individual. At Ocean Fog Farm, Brandon took part in assembling wreaths, an activity that highlighted both his focus and his abilities.
Judy Ginter
In 2019 Judy Ginter woke up one morning and fell out of bed. Thankfully, she was able to crawl to her phone and call 911. The hospital Judy was brought to did not believe her.
“They thought I was a pill seeker. I told them I’m not leaving here until you figure out what’s wrong with me,” Judy said.
She was diagnosed with Neuropathy which became an acquired disability overnight. At this point she was transferred to Steuben Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare to receive physical and occupational therapy. Because there were no beds on the physical/occupational therapy floor she was forced to live on the Dementia floor for three months until she was discharged.
Akil
In May 2022, Akil began participating in the Good Neighbor Program (GNP). Akil needed assistance navigating a series of medical issues, obtaining home care, and much more. Akil had the great fortune of working with his GN Shelly, who works for Catskill Center for Independence (CCFI).
Shelly was able to help Akil get medical equipment, mental health counseling, a tv, and most importantly a key pillar of support. When Akil’s Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) plan was not providing him with services Shelly was able to step in, making sure Akil had the support to live in the community. She even brought him a Thanksgiving meal because the holidays were a difficult time. Akil lived alone, had a small social circle, leaving him with few outlets for socialization.
Tanisha Wiggins
Meet Tanisha Wiggins, a Transition Specialist at ARISE in Syracuse. Tanisha developed mental illnesses when she was 15. Through counseling she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Over the next 14 years, she was in and out of hospitals. Tanisha decided to start taking medication in addition to her therapy to help manage the anxiety and depression.
“When I became pregnant with my first child I realized I wanted to do more with my life,” Tanisha said.
Miguel Santana
( Photo of Miguel standing with walker, wearing T-shirt that reads "Wakanda Forever". )
Miguel Santana is a 63-year-old man who needed a hip replacement and after seven surgeries he was sent to the Bainbridge Rehab Nursing Home in 2020. Miguel’s case was assigned to Open Doors Transition Specialist (TS) Lisa Rivera with Bronx Independent Living Services (BILS) in October 2021. Miguel’s roommate at the nursing home successfully transitioned back to the community with the help of Open Doors and this TS. As a result, Miguel felt confident that he might be able to regain his freedom and independence and asked for an Open Doors referral to be made on his behalf.
When Lisa, the TS, discovered Miguel needed help managing his anxiety and depression due to the loss of his independence, she was able to connect him with Open Doors Peer Specialist Natalia Mendez. Natalia was instrumental in helping Miguel successfully deal with his experience at the nursing home, encouraging him to trust the process, and emphasizing the importance of embracing the progress he was making during his physical therapy sessions.
SSAN Coalition
“The peer support provided by the PIP program was instrumental in helping me acquire the transportation I needed to achieve my vocational goals. PIP provided me with much-needed guidance and support preparing for applications and interviews, and those who suffer from social and/or anxiety-related disabilities will no doubt find PIP to be a godsend. The people working for PIP and ACCES-VR were very helpful, supportive, and professional, and I am truly indebted to them.” B.E.
Diane B.
“After numerous hours of research, I came across the Olmstead Subsidy Housing. This program helped me transition out of the Nursing Home safely. It enabled me to have a roof over my head, be independent, and have a sense of security. I no longer have a fear of displacement.
It feels good to be living in my own house without the mental and verbal stress of a nursing home. I have gained back my sense of self respect, thanks to the Suffolk Independent Living Organization team!”
Yours Truly, Diane B.
PIP
The participant was referred to the Peer Integration Demonstration Pilot Program (PIP) through Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) for Peer Support. The participant was doubting his ability to function in a graduate program after several rejected offers. The Peer Independent Living Specialist provided the consumer with several sessions of peer support, utilizing self-disclosure and peer modeling to work with him on his doubts. During these conversations, it was discovered that the participant did not have access to transportation. Together with his PILS counselor, he was able to apply to PARA Transit for transportation coordinating. The participant was approved unconditional services with paratransit. The participant subsequently was accepted to a graduate degree program in the University of Calgary in Canada where he dreamed to move. He will be studying paleontology, the study of dinosaur bones, at a graduate level.
BILS
Bronx Independent Living Services’ (BILS) Director of Deaf and Victim Services was referred to a 37-year old victim of domestic violence from the NYC shelter system. The individual and her son were being abused by her husband, who is her son’s father. She suffered from a long history of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her husband but she had a goal to become self-empowered and to remove herself from her horrific situation. She reported that after receiving domestic violence services from BILS and proper advisement, she found the strength to call the police and have her husband arrested and removed from her home. She continues to receive individual and group counseling, Information and referral services, Personal Advocacy, Criminal Justice Advocacy, Emergency Assistance, etc. She also filed for compensation through the NYS Crime Victims Board. BILS also helped the participant find full-time employment and helped her enroll in citizenship classes. While working with BILS, she passed her Naturalization test and became a U.S. citizen!
Events
“Great conference! Some excellent collaboration has been seeded here as a direct result of the workshops. Plus, Judy Heumann!!! Star struck!!!” – 2017 NYAIL Conference Attendee
“I was very moved by some of the speakers and comments from the group as a whole. It was a great conference and I'm so glad I came. I leave with a new perspective on various subjects and learned new information that will be helpful for me in my work.” – 2017 NYAIL Conference Attendee
“This is a very good way to network and learn how different agencies go about working together. Would recommend it to anyone!” – 2017 NYAIL Conference Attendee