2025 NYAIL Statewide Conference
The 2025 NYAIL Conference theme, “Leading the Way,” embodies the values of diversity, equity, intersectionality, and accessibility that are at the heart of the Independent Living movement.
This year’s theme invites us to focus on leadership, advocacy, and innovation in the disability rights space—empowering communities and advancing real change across New York.
We’re proud to partner with the New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC), who will host the evening portion of the event featuring the Disability Rights Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony—a powerful celebration of legacy, leadership, and impact.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with advocates and changemakers, learn from some of the most impactful leaders in the field, and help shape the future of Independent Living in New York State.
WORKSHOPS
Click on Titles to View Presentation and Workshop Materials
Opening General Session Keynote
National Disability Rights Advocate
Presenter:Claudia Gordon
Claudia L. Gordon is a trailblazing disability rights attorney and policy leader with nearly 30 years of experience advancing equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Currently the Chair of the National Council on Disability (NCD), Claudia was appointed by President Biden and is the first Black deaf woman attorney in the U.S. She also serves as Senior Accessibility Strategist at T-Mobile, where she leads efforts to foster a disability-inclusive culture and accessible workplace. Her leadership across the White House, U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, Sprint, and the National Association of the Deaf reflects her commitment to uplifting individuals with disabilities—particularly those with multiply marginalized identities—through policy, civic engagement, and mentorship.
Keynote Fireside Chat with Emily Ladau
Presenters: Emily Ladau, Activist. Writer. Speaker w/Co-Presenters Stephanie Orlando (Western New York Independent Living); Carlos Martinez (CEO/Executive Director | BRIDGES)
A conversation on the evolving landscape of disability rights, allyship, and inclusive culture. Author of 'Demystifying Disability,' Emily shares insights from consulting, editorial leadership, and advocacy recognized by national honors.
Federal Medicaid Defense: What's Next?
Presenter : Lara Kassel, Coalition Coordinator | Medicaid Matters New York
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.
Project SHINE: Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Tools and Gaming for Youth with Disabilities
Presenters: Evan Yankey, Advocacy Director | Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, w/Co-Presenters Uly Ramos | Co-Presenter Bio: Uly Ramos is a self-advocate and grassroots presenter with the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
Youth with disabilities deserve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information. Project SHINE—Sexual Health Information Network for Equity and Education—co-created SRH education tools with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Explore the website and game that teach about bodies, relationships, and sexuality.
NY ABLE
Presenter: Jenna McClosky, Outreach Coordinator | NY ABLE
NY ABLE is a savings program for people with disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses. Money can be saved and invested tax-free when used for qualified expenses. A range of investment options are available, including FDIC checking and savings.
Accessible Outdoor Recreation
Presenter: Leah Akins, Statewide ADA Accessibility Coordinator | NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, w/ Co-Presenters Katy Carroll (Disability Training Coordinator, Association on Aging in New York), Meg LeFevre Bobbin (Committee Member, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Accessibility Advisory Committee.)
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.
Coalition Building: Bridging Disability Advocacy and Social Work Practice
Presenter: Julia Duff, MSW | Disability Services & Advocacy Professional, w/ Co-Presenters Cliff Perez (Systems Advocate | Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley)
Social justice, dignity, human worth, self-determination, access, and advocacy are core to both Independent Living and social work. This session explores collaboration strategies that strengthen partnerships between Independent Living Centers (ILCs) and social work professionals to advance systemic change.
Community Positioning for your Independent Living Center
Presenter: Cam Cardinale, Director of Community Relations | Southern Adirondack Independent Living
Discover strategies to position your ILC as a trusted resource and valued partner. Explore inclusive messaging, relationship-building, and outreach aligned with IL principles. Leave with tools to strengthen your center’s role and reach without centering visibility over mission.
Deaf Equity Council: An Onramp for Integrating Culturally Appropriate Services
Presenters: Elizabeth Butcher, Staff Development & ADA Manager | Monroe County DEI Team, w/Co-Presenters Ray Kenney | Ray is a lifelong Deaf advocate and currently is on the board of Center for Disability Rights (CDR) and Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL).
An introduction to the Deaf Equity Council (DEC): its creation, mission, and current efforts to address institutional barriers. Learn about the vision for a guiding charter and actionable first steps communities can adapt.
The 1115 Waiver and Beyond: Introduction to Community Care Hubs
Presenters: Stephanie Orlando,Western New York Independent Living, w/ Co-Presenters Nikki Kmicinski (Western NY Integrated Care Collaborative); Timothy McNeill (Freedmen Consulting)
Western NY Integrated Care Collaborative operates the Western Region Social Care Network and is a national model for community care hubs. This session explores how national and state initiatives support CBOs in addressing health-related social needs and the evolving role of community care hubs.
The Importance of Recreation for People Post-Nursing Home Discharge
Presenter: Matthew Lee, CTRS, Open Doors Education & Outreach Specialist | Southern Tier Independence Center
Recreation is essential to holistic health after discharge. Learn how purposeful activities promote independence, reduce isolation, enhance physical and mental health, boost emotional well-being, and build community for sustained adjustment at home.
Customized Employment – An Innovative Way of Connecting People to Competitive Integrated Employment
Presenter: Meghan Parker, ACCES-VR, w/ Co-Presenters Drew Karhan (Project Director | SDSU Interwork Institute); Patricia Henke (Project Director | San Diego State University)
The SWTCIE Model Demonstration Project uses customized employment to connect people with the most significant disabilities to competitive integrated work. Hear from New York implementers and San Diego State University experts on model practices and early outcomes.
JourneyDance™
Presenter: Melissa Harrinman, JourneyDance™ Facilitator
A transformational dance experience to get out of your mind and into your body. Explore free-form movement, guided imagery, and expressive practices. Chair dancing is optional and encouraged; no choreography to learn.
Empowering Advocates: Strengthening Staff Engagement and Retention through Advocacy Training
Presenters: Erin Morseman, Senior Director, IL | AIM Independent Living Center, w/ Co-Presenters Hannah Prunier | Since 2020, Hannah has been a key support to senior leadership and the CORE Committee. Known for being highly resourceful and organized, she plays a crucial role in driving AIM’s success.and Brooke Bennett | Since 2018, Brooke has been AIM’s governing Human Resources. A dedicated leader, she chairs the agency's CORE, a committee recognizing and celebrating the contributions of our valued employees.
Connect advocacy, engagement, and retention. Gain practical strategies and tools to empower teams, boost engagement, and cultivate supportive, motivating work environments.
Everything I Learned About Self-Care I Learned from My Cat
Presenter: Alexandra Mikowski, Executive Director | Access to Independence of Cortland County, w/Co-Presenters Dr. Paul Mikowski | Paul Mikowski is a clinical psychologist in private practice and is the spouse of Alex the director of ATI Cortland.
Using lessons from the Mikowskis’ cat to reimagine self-care: meaningful activities, rest, and boundaries. Leave with actionable ideas to re-emphasize self-care.
Opioid Overdose Prevention – Naltrexone (NARCAN) Training
Presenter: Angel Paige, Community Programs Director | Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, w/Co-Presenters Sarah Yerdon (NYS Certified Behavioral Health Peer Advocate/Community Health Worker | NRCIL)
Learn overdose risk factors, recognition, and response, including the Good Samaritan Law and how to administer NARCAN to reverse an overdose. Participants receive a NARCAN kit and resource information.
Improve Games for the Disabled
Presenters: Milenka Berengolc Director of Special Projects | Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled
An interactive workshop using improv to build confidence, cognition, and creativity—no script, just real-time play. Insights from leading improv programs for youth with developmental disabilities.
Turning Data Into Impact: CIL Suite Tools for Outcomes, Insight & Efficiency
Presenters: Gary Dean, Q90 Software Solutions, w/Co-Presenters Julie Corrigan (Director of Client Services | Q90 Software Solutions); Ben Fowler (CIO | NRCIL)
See how CIL Suite streamlines onboarding with a Self-Intake Form (saving 30–90 minutes per consumer) and supports outcomes storytelling. Explore Enhanced Services Reports, Excel exports, the Outcomes Module, and a preview of the evolving Billing Module.
Unlocking Funding: What Funders Really Want
Presenters: Avital Havusha, Vice President of Programs | New York Health Foundation, w/Co-Presenters Daniel Frascella; Shelly Connolly (VP, Community Grantmaking | Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region); Sara Dolan (Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley)
Hear directly from funders about priorities, proposal fit, and relationship-building. Leave with practical strategies to craft competitive applications and navigate funding decisions.
Disability Activism in New York City from 1860 to Today
Presenters: Warren Shaw, Disability Historian | Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, w/Co-Presenters Denise Figueroa (Executive Director | Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley); Christina Curry; Sharon Shapiro-Lacks (Yad-Hachazakah)
An overview of 150 years of NYC disability activism—from the streets to the courts—followed by a discussion with veteran activists about victories and ongoing fights.
Understanding Substance Use, Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction
Presenters: Jessica Sorbello | OASAS
Explore the science of substance use and disorders, overdose prevention, naloxone use, and practical harm reduction strategies for professionals beyond SUD treatment systems. Attendees will learn to recognize/respond to overdoses and receive information on accessing prevention kits.
From Participants to Powerhouses: Building the Next Wave of Disability Leaders
Presenters: Stephanie Woodward, Executive Director | Disability EmpowHer Network, w/Co-Presenters Katy Carroll (Disability Training Coordinator | Association on Aging in New York)
A fresh model of leadership development rooted in identity, intergenerational mentorship, and community-driven growth. Learn strategies to center lived experience and build programs from participants’ ideas.
Everyone Has a Role: Recognizing Gender-Based Violence Against People with Developmental Disabilities
Presenters: Esther Chong Project Coordinator | NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV)
People with developmental disabilities experience gender-based violence at disproportionately high rates. Gain skills to recognize signs and apply trauma-informed strategies to support survivors, while understanding shared responsibility in prevention.
Building a Bridges Community
Presenters: Karen Boliver, From Participants to Powerhouses: Building the Next Wave of Disability LeadersAssociate Director | NRCIL, w/Co-Presenters Aileen Martin (NRCIL)
An overview of Bridges Out of Poverty and Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World and how cross-sector collaboration in Lewis County is building shared understanding and modifying operations so people across socioeconomic statuses can thrive.
Empowering Individuals with Dual Sensory Losses
Presenters: Eleanor Coley-Brody, Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative | Helen Keller National Center
Foundational strategies to connect with and empower DeafBlind individuals, with practical tools to promote independence and success.
Beyond Defensive Fights: How We Can Defend Home Care, Build Power for the System We've Always Needed, and Take Care of Each Other in the Process
Presenters: Julia Solow Lead NYS Organizer | Caring Majority Rising, w/Co-Presenters Julie Farrar (Community Organizer & System Change Activist | ILC of the Hudson Valley, Poor People’s Campaign, and more)
Tactics for waging defensive fights (e.g., CDPA and Medicaid threats) in ways that build capacity and power for transformative changes, including fair pay and universal access to home care.
Pooled Trusts: Securing Independence and a Stronger Financial Future
Presenters: Sarah Grimes, Director of Business Development | NYSARC Trust Services and Bruce Darling, Executive Director | Center for Disability Rights
How pooled trusts help individuals qualify for and preserve benefits while gaining flexibility to support independent living, employment, self-directed care, and transitions from institutions to community.
AI as an Empowering Collaborator: Navigating Life and Work with Intelligent Assistance
Presenters: Robert Poulin, Chief Executive Officer | North Country Center for Independence, w/Co-Presenters Colleen Downs (Systems Advocate | North Country Center for Independence)
Presentation: AI as an Empowering Collaborator: Navigating Life and Work with Intelligent Assistance
A forward look at AR glasses, embodied AI assistants, and robotics that promise to transform accessibility—plus ethics and policy considerations for IL systems.
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Presenters: Regina Swinney,Tai Chi for Health Institute – Certified Instructorw/Co-Presenters Kate McKee (Master Trainer | Tai Chi for Health Institute; Asian Arts Group Tai Chi Center)
An accessible, evidence-based tai chi session to reduce pain, improve flexibility and mobility, and strengthen balance and coordination. Standing and seated variations ensure access for all.
Hall of Fame Dinner Inductees
Presenters: Laura Cardwell, Executive Director at NYSILC
Click Here to View Awards Ceremony