Stronger Together: Advancing Inclusive Emergency Management Across New York State
Stronger Together: Advancing Inclusive Emergency Management Across New York State
NYAIL, and the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) are excited to bring you this joint webinar on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
In 2025, the New York State Office of Emergency Management (OEM) launched the Inclusive Emergency Management and Outreach (IEMO) Program to strengthen the integration of disability, access, and functional needs considerations across emergency management. Join OEM staff to learn about the new program, the role of Regional Offices, inclusive planning, and opportunities for Independent Living Centers to partner with emergency managers to build more inclusive and resilient communities.
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 27, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn about the new IEMO Program and its priorities
- Understand the role of OEM Regional Offices
- Identify opportunities for ILC engagement in local emergency management planning, training, and response
- The role of ILCs as service force multipliers
Presenter:
- David Whalen, Special Assistant, Inclusive Emergency Management and Outreach - Office of Emergency Management, NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
- Lisa Burkovich, NYS DHSES OEM Region 5 Regional Director
Click Here to Register for October's Webinar
American Sign Language and human captioning will be provided.
Who Gets to Decide? Guardianship & Alternatives
Who gets to decide what: A discussion about guardianship, power of attorney, health care proxy and other methods of substitute decision making.
Adults with disabilities have historically been subjected to unwarranted invasions of their autonomy to control their own lives, but some do have limited capacity and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Today, guardianship and other forms of substitute decision-making attempt to avoid stripping people of all of their rights while protecting them, with varying degrees of success. We will discuss how different forms of substitute decision-making work, the myths and misconceptions about them, and strategies for addressing the conflicts and confusion that arise in your efforts to return folks to the community.
Date and time: Thursday, September 24: 11:00 a.m.- Noon
Presenter: Sim Goldman, Attorney: Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley
Click here to register for September's webinar
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided.
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
Recorded on Tuesday, August 25
CLICK HERE WATCH THE REPLAY AND SUBSCRIBE TO NYAIL'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Additional Resources: Presentation PPT
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided.
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.
Recorded on: Wednesday, July 29th
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.
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources: Presentation PDF
An overview of Bridges Out of Poverty: Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World
How is cross-sector collaboration in Lewis County building shared understanding to help people across socioeconomic statuses thrive? With cuts looming from the federal government cross-sector collaboration is more important than ever! Back by popular demand this webinar is a repeated session from our 2025 statewide conference.
Presenters:
Aileen Martin, Executive Director: Northern Regional Center for Independent Living
Stephanie Houser-Fouse, Public Health Specialist/Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator: Louis County Public Health
Recorded on: Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
American Sign Language and human captioning are provided.
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
Recorded on: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided
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.
Recorded on Wednesday, March 4
Presenter: Sharon Cackett: Assistant Director, NYSCRC
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
*those who register will receive a recording via email
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and human captioning will be provided.
Trauma-Informed Care in the Workplace
Recorded on Wednesday, February 18th 1p.m. - 2 p.m.
About the Webinar
This one‑hour session provides a practical introduction to trauma‑informed care and explores how these principles show up in workplace culture, leadership, and everyday practices. Attendees will also learn about the Trauma‑Informed Network and its role in supporting trauma‑responsive efforts across New York State. The session concludes with a moderated Q&A with both presenters.
Presenters
Josh Higgins — Community Engagement Specialist, NYS Trauma-Informed Network & Resource Center
Zachary Borodkin — Education & Outreach Training and Coaching Specialist, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Key Takeaways
- Trauma‑informed care applies to all workplaces.
- Staff and leaders may carry trauma or chronic stress into work.
- Trauma‑informed practices support staff well‑being and retention.
- These approaches strengthen organizational resilience.
- The webinar covers core principles and workplace applications
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided
Federal Medicaid Defense: What’s Next?
Congress has passed a sweeping and deeply concerning budget reconciliation package—H.R. 1, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.” This legislation poses significant threats to Medicaid and could have far-reaching consequences for New York State, including a projected $750 million shortfall this fiscal year and more than $3 billion in costs next year. Up to 1.6 million New Yorkers may lose coverage. This session breaks down the bill’s implications for people with disabilities and the Independent Living community and outlines organizing strategies to defend Medicaid. This workshop was such a hit at our statewide conference we’re bringing it back as a webinar!
Presenter: Lara Kassel, Coalitions Director with Medicaid Matters NY
Recorded on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
Slides (PPT)
Unlocking Access: Services and Support from the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library
Who is the NYS Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL)? Join us for an informative and inspiring webinar introducing the TBBL and its many services for improving literacy for people with print disabilities. Whether you're a potential patron, caregiver, educator, service provider, or librarian, this session will guide you through the wide range of accessible reading materials and services available through TBBL.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- Who qualifies for TBBL services and how to apply
- How to access and use talking books, braille materials, and digital downloads
- Tips for using the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) mobile app
- How TBBL supports lifelong learning, literacy, and independence
Presenters:
Laurenne Teachout: Senior Librarian & Quinn Burch: Reader Advisor
Recorded on Wednesday, November 12th
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided