Video Description: Approximately 22 million Veterans reside in the United States today. Around 850,000 Veterans live in New York State alone. More than two-thirds of the Veterans residing in New York State have reached the age of 65 or above. Learning whether an individual served in the Armed Forces can prove to be a crucial component of providing the highest-quality services to help that Veteran maintain his or her independent living ability. Status as a Veteran can open the door to a tremendous realm of benefits, programs, and services that can assist the Veteran financially, improve the Veteran’s physical and mental well-being, and help the Veteran in arenas ranging from healthcare to housing. This webinar provides a basic but vital toolkit for independent living professionals interacting with Veterans and their families. It provides key information about eligibility for multiple benefits, programs, and services that assist Veterans and their family members, and informs participants about resources available to “cut through the red tape” and advocate for Veterans and their family members in these areas. Even more importantly, this course provides essential information about interacting properly with Veterans, helping participants gain a heightened understanding of challenges and experiences unique to Veterans and their families and establishing a greater level of cultural competency when working with these individuals.

Date: 07/25/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented byBenjamin P. Pomerance, Esq., Deputy Director for Program Development for the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs.

Presentation Slides:

Services for Veterans in New York State (PDF)
NYS Division of Veterans Affairs Directory (Doc)
NYS Veterans Laws Briefing Book July 2016 (PDF)

Webinar Recording:

Video Description: The purpose of this webinar is to review various aspects of working with individuals who experience mental illness. We will review basic information about mental health conditions, why the Independent Living Philosophy is a perfect fit for working with this population, possible service options (waivers, MLTC, Mental Health Service System, Health Homes, Case management), as well as possible community resources.

Date: 04/28/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Laurie Carter of the MFP Transition Center Project.

Presentation Slides: Working with Individuals who Experience Mental Health Issues (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Working with Individuals who Experience Mental Health Issues Webinar 2016-04-28

Video Description: Representatives of the Self-advocacy Association of New York State, Inc., will discuss our experience in engaging with individuals who live in Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) about their options for support through the Money Follow’s the Person concept. As many of the people who live in ICFs require a lot of support to speak for themselves or express their preferences, we’ll also talk the importance of the involvement of family, friends, and direct support staff who know them well in the process whenever possible. Finally we’ll talk about interacting with the staff who manage and supervise ICFs.

Date: 02/05/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by BJ Stasio and Steve Holmes of the Self-advocacy Association of New York State.

Presentation Slides: Engaging People with Developmental Disabilities (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Engaging People with Developmental Disabilities in the OPWDD System Webinar 2016-02-05

Video Description: CIDNY’s study looked at the State’s ability to achieve its deinstitutionalization goals through effective administration of the federal survey requirement that reflects the nation’s long-term care policy: Section Q of the federal government’s assessment the Minimum Data Set (MDS). We focused on how Section Q’s referral question is working for people with developmental disabilities in New York City.

The project goals were: to evaluate the current New York State process for complying with Section Q; to make recommendations for application to people with developmental disabilities; and to develop training for local organizations on how to help their developmentally disabled clients (and families) better understand Section Q and the referral process to improve their chances of receiving care in the most integrated setting.

This training, based on our study, helps participants:

1. Understand the difference between PASRR and the MDS Section Q;
2. Understand federal Section Q referral requirements and the philosophy that supports them;
3. Understand how OPWDD’s Transformation Agreement relates to Section Q;
4. Articulate the rights of people with developmental disabilities under these new rules;
5. Articulate the perspectives of stakeholders;
6. Express the ways other states have complied with Section Q; and
7. Develop and share ideas for improving the Section Q referral process.

Date: 01/28/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Susan Dooha, Executive Director of Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY).

Presentation Slides: Section Q and People with Developmental Disabilities (PDF)

Webinar Recording:

Video Description: The purpose of this webinar was to:

• Familiarize advocates with the key arguments against assisted suicide laws
• Enable advocates to effectively respond to counter arguments
• Provide materials that document assisted suicide problems and abuses in Oregon and Washington
• Discuss advocacy strategies and opportunities to work in coalition with other groups

The New York Association on Independent Living opposes legalization of physician assisted suicide and asked two national disability rights organizations working to oppose these laws to assist our community in opposing proposals that have been introduced in New York. Not Dead Yet and the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund presented talking points, documented cases of assisted suicide abuses, and shared their experiences in addressing counter arguments in communications with policy makers, advocates and media on this controversial issue.

Date: 01/11/2016

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Diane Coleman, President/CEO of Not Dead Yet (NDY) and Marilyn Golden, Senior Policy Analyst at Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF).

Presentation Slides: Advocate Training for Opposing Assisted Suicide Laws (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Advocate Training for Opposing Assisted Suicide Laws Webinar 2016-01-11

Video Description: Representatives of the Self-advocacy Association of New York State, Inc., will discuss SANYS advocacy around the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities' (OPWDD) Transformation Plan. For self-advocates, transformation of OPWDD's system means we will have as much control as we can over where we live, our choices for employment and other meaningful activities, and who supports us. We'll talk about SANYS' view of the HCBS settings rule and the best way to ensure Money Follows the Person (MFP)—self-determination/self-direction.

Date: 11/02/2015

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Steve Holmes, Administrative Director of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York.

Presentation Slides: Transformation is Us: Our Lives, Our Choices, Our Community (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Transformation is Us Webinar 2015-11-02

Video Description: Brain injury is often called the "silent epidemic" because of the staggering number of people who are injured each year. More than 140,000 New Yorkers sustain a brain injury each year. Each year, traumatic brain injuries result in more than 2,000 deaths, 19,000 hospitalizations, and over 112,000 emergency department visits among New York State residents. Brain Injury is never expected, it can strike at any time. It has no cultural, geographic or economic preference and can strike people from all walks of life. When it does it can have far reaching consequences. Effects of brain injury can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation, or emotional functioning. These issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families and communities. This workshop will encompass: (1) What is brain injury, including statistics, signs & symptoms; (2) How brain injury can occur and common problems after brain injury; (3) Resources and supports, including "take-home" handouts and multimedia materials; and (4) Q & A opportunity. Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the impact of brain Injury, as well learning about the resources & supports offered to individuals with brain injury -- and their families-- through the Brain Injury Association of New York State and the NYS waiver programs.

Date: 12/08/2015

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Karen Thomas of Brain Injury Association of New York State.

Presentation Slides: Meeting the Needs of Persons Living with Brain Injury (PDF)

Webinar Recording:

Video Description: Community based hospice care is an often overlooked service for patients transitioning to, or living at home. Home hospice offers nursing, social work, spiritual care, volunteers, and physician oversight to support families in providing care to their loved ones at end of life. This Webinar will provide education regarding the use of hospice resources, funding, and support.

Date: 10/27/2015

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Suzanne Scheib, RN, BSN, CHPN Access and Education Coordinator for CareFirst, in Painted Post NY. Suzanne is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience in community health and hospice care. She has worked as a clinical nurse case manager, admissions coordinator, educator and has spoken nationally on the use of diagnostic-specific programming in hospice and palliative care.

Presentation Slides: Home Hospice Care for Transitional Patients (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Home Hospice Care for Transitional Patients Webinar 2015-10-27

Video Description:  This webinar provides an overview of the New York State Justice Center's Ombudsperson Program for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and other advocacy programs.

Date: 07/09/2015

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Rosemary Lamb and Carrie Sonthivongnorath of the Division of Advocacy, NYS Justice Center.

Presentation Slides: Ombudsperson Program for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (PDF)

Webinar Recording: Ombudsperson Program Webinar 2015-07-09

Video Description: This training provides a basic overview of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) system. It includes people served, administrative structure, services, residential types, person-centered planning and common acronyms. This training is targeted for people who are unfamiliar with OPWDD.

Date: 01/06/2015

Author: Hosted by NYAIL. Presented by Suzanne de Beaumont of NYAIL.

Presentation Slides: OPWDD 101 (PDF)

Webinar Recording: View on YouTube