NYAIL and Independent Living Advocates Call for Removal of Offensive Disability Video
PRESS STATEMENT
Contact: Blaise Bryant, Communications Specialist
(518) 572-7555•
Disabled Advocates Demand Constantino Remove R-word Passes Video
(Albany, NY) – The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) and its member Independent Living Centers serving people with disabilities throughout New York State are calling on Anthony Constantino to apologize for and remove a disturbing video that uses outdated and discriminatory language toward people with disabilities.
The casual use of the word “retarded” for business promotion is offensive, harmful, and demeaning. Such conduct perpetuates harmful stereotypes about people with disabilities and contributes to a culture of bullying and discrimination. This is unacceptable behavior from anyone, particularly a CEO and a candidate running for public office.
At a time when the rights and dignity of people with disabilities are under increasing scrutiny, public figures have a responsibility to demonstrate respect and leadership. Language matters. Elected officials and candidates must be held accountable for words and actions undermining disability rights and inclusion.
“This is not an issue of Democrats versus Republicans. Anyone seeking public office must be held to a higher standard and held accountable for using harmful language about people with disabilities,” said NYAIL Executive Director Lindsay Miller.
“As the old saying goes – any Press is good Press when you want people to notice you. But there has to be a limit and what these two did with their “Pass Card To Say Retard” video, is more than uncool. It is offensive 5th grader level meanness no decent adult would find remotely acceptable or funny. Nor want to hand either of them a “Pass” for doing..” said Jeff Reifensnyder, Executive Director of Maximizing Independent Living Choices in Massena.
“Treating this word as a joke, or worse, packaging it as a "pass" to be handed out for laughs, is not an isolated lapse. It reflects a broader pattern in our political culture where cruelty toward vulnerable groups is treated as entertainment rather than what it actually is: discrimination,” said Aileen Martin, Executive. Director of Northern Regional Center for Independent Living in Watertown.
“RCIL and our fellow ILC partners' focus remains on promoting the dignity, rights, and full inclusion of people with disabilities. We believe language matters and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. We encourage public dialogue that reflects the value, contributions, and humanity of people with disabilities,” said Mansoor Shahid, CEO of Resource Center for Independent Living in Utica.
About The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL): NYAIL is a statewide membership organization of Independent Living Centers (ILCs), community-based not-for-profit providers of advocacy, services and supports for New Yorkers with disabilities of all ages. ILCs are controlled by, and largely staffed by, people with disabilities. NYAIL and its members are dedicated to empowering disabled New Yorkers to live full, integrated lives in the community.
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This Month's Webinar | An Overview of Supported Decision-Making in New York
What is Supported Decision-Making (SDM)? How does SDM empower and support people with disabilities?
As the awardee of the state contract to facilitate New York’s Supported Decision-Making model for people with developmental disabilities, AIM Services will establish a structured and replicable model for use across New York State, work with people to develop Supported Decision-Making agreements, and help ensure that every person is afforded the respect, independence, and full legal recognition when making decisions about their lives.
Key takeaways:
- Learn about SDM, an alternative to guardianship, as a tool to support thoughtful, informed decision-making for the future.
- Attendees will learn how Decision Makers will be empowered to carry out decisions and navigate decision-making spaces.
Presenters:
Alexis Harrington: Chief of Program Implementation, AIM Services
Lace Miller-Kitchin: Director of Supported Decision-Making, AIM Services
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 25, 1-2:30 p.m.
Click here to register for our August webinar!
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided.
Share Your Story for Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate disability identity, recognize the history and impact of the disability rights and Independent Living movements, and continue building a more accessible and inclusive future.
In our featured video, members of the disability community share what disability means to them and reflect on their identities, experiences, and pride.
Watch the video and hear their perspectives
Now, NYAIL wants to hear from you:
What do Independent Living and Disability Pride mean to you?
We invite people with disabilities, advocates, Independent Living Center staff, and members of our community to share a written reflection, photo, or short video. Selected submissions may be featured by NYAIL throughout Disability Pride Month.
Your experiences, perspectives, and voice matter. Together, our stories can celebrate disability pride, strengthen our movement, and help others understand the meaning of Independent Living.
Email your stories to Blaise Bryant, our Communications Specialist at
New Webinar Explores Access to the Outdoors for People with Disabilities
Accessible Outdoor Recreation for People with Disabilities
There are many benefits and challenges to people with disabilities enjoying the outdoors. In this session, you will hear from a program coordinator in aging services, an ADA Coordinator for a state agency, and a volunteer advocate who all collaborate to improve access to the outdoors in New York State. We will provide examples of how programs, policies, and planning are improving accessibility and discuss ways disabled people can get outdoors or advocate for better access. This session will be useful for anyone who is interested in understanding outdoor accessibility or is advising others on resources for enjoying the outdoors.
Date and time: Wednesday, July 29: 1-2:30 p.m.
Presenters:
- Leah Akins, Statewide ADA Accessibility Coordinator: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Katy Carroll: Disability Training Coordinator, Association on Aging in New York - Meg LeFevre Bobbin (Committee Member, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Accessibility Advisory Committee
American Sign Language and human captioning will be provided.
New York’s 2026 Budget and Legislative Session: Wins, Setbacks and What Comes Next
Posted on June 29, 2026
Budget & Legislative Update
With just days left of the legislative session Governor Kathy Hochul, the Assembly, and Senate agreed to a $268 billion state budget at the end of May. Below is a brief summary of how our priorities played out during negotiations.
- ILCs will remain funded at $16.75 million. The legislature restored the $750,000 that was left out of the Executive proposal, but there are no additions. We were also not included in the 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase.
- Access to Home will remain funded at $5 million, with the legislature restoring the $1 million from last year’s budget, but no additions.
- A positive: the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD Waiver) has been carved out of managed care for one year, until at least 2028. We will continue advocating for a permanent carveout.
- Unfortunately, the budget took no action to address the upcoming loss of healthcare coverage for nearly 500,000 New Yorkers due to H.R. 1 signed by President Trump last year.
- How the state plans to minimize the loss of Medicaid coverage when implementing new work requirements starting in January 2027 has not been addressed.
- This year’s budget saw significant investments in providers, particularly hospitals and nursing homes. As we await the release of the State’s Olmstead Plan, which will outline steps to transition New Yorkers out of institutions, a lack of the same investment in Home and Community Based Services is concerning.
- The law allowing public bodies to hold hybrid meetings at their discretion was extended until 2028. Requirements for hybrid meetings were not put in place. Hybrid meetings allow people with disabilities to be more active participants in government, and we will continue to advocate for hybrid meetings to be required by public bodies.
Post-Budget NYAIL Priorities
Thankfully, with the short time left in session, we did have a win! The Assembly and Senate passed A.11569/S.9593, which will establish a waitlist for the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion waiver. We are still advocating for the removal of the cap on enrollees, but this is a step in the right direction to make sure there is a formal process established to access these services when a spot opens up. Now, the bill needs to be signed by the Governor for it to become law.
Two pieces of legislation to reform the State’s Prompt Contracting Law (A.10741/S.9761 and A.11179/S.9855) have also passed both houses of the legislature. These reforms are intended to improve the timeliness of the contracting process for nonprofits. If signed by the Governor, this bill will support Independent Living Centers to continue delivering critical services without disruption.
We will keep you updated on any next steps to get these bills to the finish line!
The legislature did not take action on some of our biggest priorities, like strengthening the role of subcontracted facilitators in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) and ending subminimum wage for people with disabilities. The Consumer Wheelchair Repair Bill of Rights came very close to passing, but faced opposition from large wheelchair repair providers. NYAIL plans to expand our advocacy efforts on this issue amplify the voice of wheelchair users across the state who continue to face unacceptable repair delays.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our advocacy efforts. We will continue to fight for disability rights throughout the year in preparation for next legislative session. For questions or to get involved with our advocacy please contact our Director of Advocacy
Registration is open for this Month's Webinar: Ending Subminimum Wages In New York
For nearly 90 years, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act has allowed people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage. Today, this outdated practice still exists in New York, even as sixteen states have already taken action to end subminimum wages and advance equal employment rights.
Ending 14(c) in New York would be a crucial step toward addressing the employment crisis and discrimination facing people with disabilities while ensuring access to competitive, integrated jobs.
Join the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) for an in-depth discussion on the movement to eliminate subminimum wages while highlighting options for competitive integrated employment. Hear from advocates in New York and across the country, learn about current efforts to advance reform, and gain insight into the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) pilot program and its role in shaping the future of disability employment.
Presenters
John Robinson, Our Abiliy, Inc.
Jessica Podesva, National Council on Independent Living
BJ Statio, Self Advocacy Association of NYS
Mehgan Parker - ACCES-VR
Tony Philips , Self Advocate
Evan Yankey , Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled
Key Takeaways:
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Learn about the impact of paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage.
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How you can help end subminimum wages while also ensuring those working in workshop settings do not fall through the cracks.
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Hear from advocates about the work to end subminimum wages around the country.
Date and time: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 from 10-11:30 a.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided
Independent Living Centers Call for Full Funding in State Budget
PRESS STATEMENT
Contact: Blaise Bryant, Communications Specialist
(518) 572-7555•
For Immediate Release: March 26, 2026
Independent Living Centers Call for Full Funding in State Budget
Albany, NY – The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) urges Governor Hochul and the Legislature to fully fund the state’s network of 41 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) at $25 million in the FY2027 Budget. This investment can be achieved by reallocating just a small portion of the $2.5 billion in state funding resulting from the federal government’s approval for New York State to transition the Essential Plan—preserving health coverage for millions of New Yorkers while freeing up significant state dollars set aside for this purpose.
The Legislature has already demonstrated its strong commitment to Independent Living by including additional funding for ILCs in both the Senate and Assembly one‑house budgets. NYAIL urges State leaders to build on this momentum and finalize full funding in the enacted budget.
“For over a decade, Independent Living Centers have faced systemic underfunding, with a current allocation of only $16.75 million,” said Lindsay Miller, NYAIL Executive Director. “The State funding made available through the Essential Plan transition provides a long‑overdue opportunity to fully fund New York’s only disability‑led, statewide network of cross-disability service providers. Increasing ILC funding to $25 million—a modest $8.25 million increase—will ensure that every center has the base operating support needed to adequately serve its community. This investment strengthens our ability to help disabled New Yorkers access community‑based services, transition from, and stay out of, nursing homes, secure accessible housing, build independent living skills, and advance systemic advocacy.”
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NYAIL Condemns Border Patrol Failures After Blind Refugee Found Dead in Buffalo
PRESS STATEMENT
Contact: Blaise Bryant, Communications Specialist
(518) 572-7555•
For Immediate Release: February 26, 2025
NYAIL Condemns Border Patrol Failures After Blind Refugee Found Dead in Buffalo
(Albany, NY) – The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is expressing deep outrage over the tragic and preventable death of Nurul Shah Alam, a 56‑year‑old blind refugee who died after being abandoned by border patrol agents in Buffalo. According to reporting from the Investigative Post, Alam, who did not speak English, was blind, and had no means to call for help was released from immigration custody and left at a donut shop five miles from his home. His family was never notified. He had been missing since February 19.
Alam had been accused of trespassing and weapons possession for carrying a curtain rod he used as a makeshift cane. Despite clear indicators of disability, agents failed to ensure his safe return or connect him with any services that could have supported him. There are many local area organizations that provide services for people with disabilities that he should have been referred to. This was a complete failure by US Border Patrol.
Border patrol has claimed that Alam accepted a ride and showed no signs of disability. The facts tell a different story: a blind man with no language access, no mobility support, and no way to call for help was left alone in the dead of winter to navigate miles on foot. He never made it home.
“As a totally blind person, I know the sinking feeling of having few resources to ask for help if I’m lost. You hope someone will be kind, but the reality is people can be unwilling or take advantage. I can only imagine how Alam felt not knowing how to speak English or use a phone to get help. Instead, he was left to die in the extreme cold because border patrol refused to fully do their job,” said NYAIL Communications Specialist Blaise Bryant.
NYAIL condemns the systemic failures that led to Alam’s death and is calling for a full investigation into how this occurred, who is responsible, and what steps will be taken to ensure it never happens again. Disabled people, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to basic protections, safety, and dignity.
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Registration is Open for our March Webinar: Bridging the Gaps: An Overview of the New York State Respite and Caregiving Coalition
The New York State Caregiving and Respite Coalition (NYSCRC) exists to support family and informal caregivers of someone across the age and disability spectrum. Join us to learn about programs and supports provided through NYSCRC to older and disabled New Yorkers and their caregivers.
Key takeaways:
- Information on caregiver directed respite vouchers.
- An overview of the National Respite Care Provider Training.
- Utilizing the NYSCRC Respite Registry.
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 4, 1-2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Sharon Cackett: Assistant Director, NYSCRC
*those who register will receive a recording via email
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and human captioning will be provided.
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.