New Training from the NYS Office for New Americans Ramirez June Initiative
Who is the Office of New Americans (ONA)? Learn how ONA supports new Americans, including new Americans with disabilities, to have access to the services and supports they need to succeed. During this one-hour webinar they will cover the following topics:
- Learn about new Americans in New York State, and ways to support them through the Office for New Americans services and its Ramirez June Initiative
- Understand what immigration status is and how it affects access to public benefits and work authorization.
- Learn how ONA and Independent Living Centers can collaborate to assist new Americans.
Recorded on Wednesday, October 15
Presenter: Cynthia Stewart, Senior Program Manager – ONA Ramirez June Initiative
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning provided.
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
Slides (PPT)
Partnering for Access: The Role of the NYS Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Office
Presenter: Christopher Woodfill, MA, MS, CRL, Executive Director of New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office
Recorded on Wednesday, September 24
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided..
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
Slides (PPT)
Understanding the Special Education Process, Advocacy, and Resources
Join us for an informative workshop designed to help parents and caregivers understand the special education process. Learn about key laws and regulations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and the rights of both students and parents. Gain the knowledge you need to advocate effectively for your child’s education. There will be time for questions.
Presenter: Renée Falanga-Brenner: Special Education Advocate: Resource Center for Accessible Living
Recorded on August 13
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided..
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
Slides (PPT)
Understanding the Special Education Process, Advocacy, and Resources
Understanding the Special Education Process, Advocacy, and Resources
Join us for an informative workshop designed to help parents and caregivers understand the special education process. Learn about key laws and regulations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and the rights of both students and parents. Gain the knowledge you need to advocate effectively for your child’s education. There will be time for questions.
Date and time: Wednesday, August 13: 1-3:00 p.m.
Presenter: Renée Falanga-Brenner: Special Education Advocate: Resource Center for Accessible Living
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided..
Celebrate the 35th birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark legislation protects people with disabilities against discrimination. People with disabilities must be treated fairly while working, patronizing businesses, and accessing government services. Despite progress being made to achieve a society where people with disabilities can fully participate, the reality is much work needs to be done.
Topics covered in this one-hour panel discussion:
- Addressing threats/protecting the ADA on the federal level.
- Celebrating progress under the ADA.
- Steps advocates need to take for enforcing the ADA.
- What changes our panelists would like to make to the ADA?
- Q&A
Presenters:
- Anita Cameron: Founder and Executive Director: We Were There, Too: Blacks in the Disability Movement.
- Doug Hovey: CEO of Independent Living, Inc. in Newburgh, NY.
- Stephanie Orlando: CEO: Western NY Independent Living in Buffalo, NY.
- Theo Braddy: Executive Director: National Council on Independent Living in Washington, D.C.
Recorded on Tuesday, July 29 1-2:00 p.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) and human captioning will be provided.
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Overview of the Social Care Network Program
One of the core components of New York’s 1115 waiver amendment approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in January 2024 is the new Social Care Network program. SCNs are regional networks that will bring together community-based organizations and providers to help eligible Medicaid Members access health-related social needs (HRSN) services, such as housing supports, food and nutrition assistance, transportation, and more.
This webinar will provide an overview of the SCN program. It will review the social care network eligibility and screening as well as how to access services for those who qualify and are in need.
Recorded on: Monday, June 16
Presenter: Emily Engel, Director, Bureau of Social Care and Community Supports, NYS Department of Health
American Sign Language (ASL) and captioning are available.
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
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Mental Health Policy in the 2025-26 NYS Budget: Rights, Reform, and the Road Ahead
A big focus of the 2025-26 State budget was around policy changes related to mental health services. While Governor Hochul pushed for expansions to involuntary commitment, mental health advocates fought for increased funding for voluntary, community based services. Harvey Rosenthal and Luke Sikinyi with the Alliance for Rights and Recovery will provide an overview of where things landed in the final budget agreement. We’ll discuss next steps in the fight to protect the civil rights of people with mental health, substance use and trauma-related challenges.
Recorded on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Presenters:
Harvey Rosenthal, CEO, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
Luke Sikinyi, Vice President of Public Policy, Alliance for Rights and Recovery
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
ASL and CART will be provided.
An Overview of Wheelchair Repair and Proposals in the New York State Budget
Access to timely and affordable wheelchair repairs is a major barrier impacting people who use mobility devices. This year’s Executive Budget includes proposals to help address this issue. Join the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) for a webinar on issues impacting wheelchair repair for people with disabilities, highlighting proposals in the state budget on maintenance and repair under Medicaid, and how you can advocate for improved wheelchair repair.
Presenters:
- Jean Minkel: Senior Vice President of Rehab and Mobility Services: Independence Care Systems.
- Shameka Andrews: Community Outreach Coordinator, self-Advocacy Association of NYS.
- Alex Thompson: Director of Advocacy, NYAIL
Recorded on February 20, 2025 | ASL and CART provided.
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources:
Paving the Road for the Future of Paratransit in New York
What is the current state of paratransit in New York? What steps need to be taken to expand paratransit for people with disabilities so they can live, work, and participate in their communities? Join us for a panel discussion, consisting of paratransit users and advocates to discuss these issues, legislative updates, a pilot program from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, and ways you can get involved in advocating for expanded Paratransit in New York!
Recorded on Wednesday, January 22, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Todd Vaarwerk, Chief Policy Analyst: Western NY Independent Living.
- Evan Yankey, Advocacy Director: Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled.
- Stephanie Speaker: Paratransit Advocate
- Cliff Perez, Systems Advocate: Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley
ASL and CART will be provided.
Click Here to Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's YouTube Channel
Adaptive Design
What is the Adapted Design Program? ARISE Adaptive Design is a program developed in 2017 using simple, low-cost materials and a co-design community approach to build highly individualized equipment for individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence, access, and opportunity. During this webinar you will learn how the adaptive design effort in Central New York assists individuals who have a unique device need, and how it went from a small volunteer activity to a thriving program in the community.
Presenter: Connor McGough, Adapted Design Coordinator
Recorded on November 13
Click Here Watch the Replay and Subscribe to NYAIL's Youtube Channel
Additional Resources: