ILI 101 Agency Presentation

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Teach people to fish and they can eat for a lifetime…

Understanding Independent Living: 

Understanding Independent Living DOUGLAS J. HOVEY - Executive Director ARNIE ABRAMS - Associate Director, Development MICHAEL P. DUNN - Associate Director, Programs Independent Living, Inc. · 2003 Promoting Choice, Self-determination and Total Participation

What is ‘Independent Living’?: 

What is ‘Independent Living’? Born in Berkeley, California in 1972… the independent living movement was founded upon the belief that people with disabilities should have the same civil rights, options and control over choices in their own lives, as do people without disabilities.

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The development of the independent living movement parallels that of the civil rights movement, seeking to extend the rights and considerations gained for ethnic minorities, to people with disabilities.

Independent living services offer a direct contrast to the dependence created by institutionalization.: 

Independent living services offer a direct contrast to the dependence created by institutionalization.

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In such settings, people with disabilities were segregated from the rest of the community, treated as sick or incapacitated, given little control over their day-to-day lives and dismissed as unproductive members of society.

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The independent living movement rejects each of these outdated, stereotypical notions and actively seeks to change community attitudes, values and beliefs.

Eliminating Barriers: 

Eliminating Barriers The Independent living movement believes in the absolute necessity for eliminating the attitudinal, physical and communications barriers that have historically limited, confined and excluded people with disabilities.

Self-determination: 

Self-determination And, the independent living movement is firmly committed to the principals of self-determination, consumer control and the complete integration of person with significant disabilities into the mainstream of community life.

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Independent living is about persons with disabilities managing their own affairs, participating in fulfilling day-to-day experiences in their communities, and making decisions which lead to self-determination and away from unnecessary dependence on others.

“An orientation to independent living philosophy and practice is not something we just hear, experience and integrate once. It is a philosophy we in the movement keep reviewing, discussing and refining to enhance, focus and deepen our levels of understanding and practice. And we need to keep doing this over and over again!”June Isaacson Kailes,Disability Policy Consultant : 

“An orientation to independent living philosophy and practice is not something we just hear, experience and integrate once. It is a philosophy we in the movement keep reviewing, discussing and refining to enhance, focus and deepen our levels of understanding and practice. And we need to keep doing this over and over again!” June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant

In New York State…: 

In New York State… The “front lines” of New York State’s independent living movement are the 38 private, nonprofit Independent Living Centers located throughout the state.

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Building upon the model created in Berkeley, the centers work with people with disabilities to advance their personal independence and to help remove barriers to independent living found in local communities.

An estimated 2.7 million New Yorkers have significant disabilities: 

An estimated 2.7 million New Yorkers have significant disabilities

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Each Independent Living Center in New York State is its own independent, self-governing, non-profit unit which responds to the needs of local consumers and takes action to eliminate systemic barriers.

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What sets these centers apart from other service organizations is their commitment to involving people with all types of disabilities in making policy decisions and delivering services.

In fact…: 

More than 51 percent of the people serving on ILC Boards of Directors are themselves living with disabilities. In fact…

ABOUT OUR CENTER…: 

ABOUT OUR CENTER… Independent Living, Inc. was established in 1987 and is currently located at 5 Washington Terrace in the City of Newburgh, New York.

Our Mission: 

Our Mission We are a consumer directed, cross-disability organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Our vision is a barrier free society with opportunities for all persons to achieve their maximum potential.

Our Challenge: 

Our Challenge As an independent living center, we offer core services that are critically important to fostering motivation, independence, self-direction, employment, social integration, community participation and the elimination of attitudinal, physical, and systemic barriers.

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Our advocacy initiatives are designed to change systems and provide a network of direct supports, improving the quality of life for all persons with disabilities.

Our efforts are directed to individuals of all ages, having any disability…: 

Our efforts are directed to individuals of all ages, having any disability…

as well as to…: 

as well as to… Families Businesses Agencies Municipalities

The challenges are the same for all persons with disabilities...: 

The challenges are the same for all persons with disabilities...

Our center is committed to…: 

Our center is committed to… The universal elimination of physical and attitudinal barriers. Assisting individuals with disabilities successfully make the transition from SYSTEM DEPENDENCE to INDEPENDENCE

Independent Living, Inc. offers residents of our community a diversity of important resources promoting…: 

Independent Living, Inc. offers residents of our community a diversity of important resources promoting…

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Choice Self-determination and Total Participation

Independent Living Center Programs & Services: 

Independent Living Center Programs & Services Student and Family Services Activities Respite Service Coordination Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Community Independence Program Mental Health Services Deaf Services ADA Consultation Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach

Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO): 

Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach (BPAO) Serving 13 Hudson Valley counties, BPAO provides services aimed at strengthening the confidence of SSI and SSA beneficiaries in taking full advantage of available work incentives, and encouraging routine collaboration among community agencies that provide information and services to persons who may be interested in entering or re-entering the workforce.

Student and Family Services: 

Student and Family Services Focusing on the transition from school to adult life, the program staff engage students attending local schools in a whole life planning process that includes counseling and training to help clarify and organize personal interests and to address individual needs related to family, skills, behavior and community.

Activities/Respite: 

Activities/Respite The Center’s Activities/Respite program, an exciting departure from traditional “respite” services, provides an array of weekend recreational and social experiences for youngsters with developmental disabilities and their siblings.

Service Coordination: 

Service Coordination Effective Service Coordination can be critically important to making Self-Determination a reality. Service Coordination at Independent Living, Inc. recognizes each individual as a valuable, capable person who deserves to be treated with respect.

Mental Health Services: 

Mental Health Services Our commitment to persons with psychiatric disabilities began when our doors first opened. Today, we offer a wide range of services many of which are provided by individuals who are themselves either current or former service recipients.

Our services include…: 

Our services include… Mental Health Peer Advocacy The Community Partnership for Persons with Psychiatric & Co-occurring Addictive Disabilities Self-Help Services After-Hours Drop-In Center Bridger Services Vocational Case Management

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance: 

Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Offered in cooperation with the local Departments of Social Services in Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Dutchess Counties, this program provides a unique alternative to traditional attendant care, given individuals being served the opportunity to take control over the personal care services they receive - deciding HOW and WHEN and BY WHOM those services are provided.

Community Independence Program (CIP): 

Community Independence Program (CIP) An innovative alternative to traditional day services, CIP offers adults with developmental disabilities, ongoing opportunities for experiential learning, social integration and making informed choices.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services: 

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services Serving as a bridge between the Deaf and hearing cultures in 4-counties, this program is dedicated to providing community outreach and education, advocacy, service coordination counseling and technical support.

ADA Consultation: 

ADA Consultation These services - directed to local municipalities, commercial property owners, employers, businesses, schools, medical facilities, and other provider agencies - are intended to ensure and enforce compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

MILESTONES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1987: 

1987

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Under the auspices of the Orange County Cerebral Palsy Association, Independent Living, Inc. is born. We celebrate the Grand Opening of our first office site, located at 200 Lake Street in City of Newburgh. We begin providing advocacy services to persons with disabilities, their family members, public and private agencies, municipalities and businesses.

1988: 

1988

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We initiate a demand responsive transportation service for persons with disabilities – a wheelchair lift-equipped vehicle is put into operation. We sponsor an “Architectural Barriers Awareness Day” at the Orange County Government Center.

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We advocate tenaciously and profoundly impact upon the rights of Orange County voters with disabilities – as a direct result of our efforts polling site accessibility increases to 75%.

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We work with the Newburgh City Council to make City Hall accessible. We co-sponsor the Orange County Committee on Aging Out in an effort to assist students with disabilities in their transition from school to adult life. In concert with the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Administration (EPVA), we sponsor the first “Architectural Barriers and Code Enforcement Training” program for building inspectors.

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We begin an aggressive campaign to elicit community support for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

1989: 

1989

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Our Executive Director becomes actively involved in statewide advocacy initiatives including the Association of Independent Living Centers in New York. Our center receives a 3-year Community Development Block Grant from the City of Newburgh to provide recreational opportunities for children, adolescents and young adults with disabilities.

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We aggressively advocate for the passage of state legislation mandating that all new buses be wheelchair-lift equipped to accommodate persons with mobility impairments.

1990: 

1990

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Our center sponsors a countywide 5K “Runners and Wheelers Road Race” that attracts more than 100 participants. We participate in Title IV of the Older Americans Act, which leads to the hiring of several senior citizens.

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We continue to advocate for the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (which is signed into law on July 26, 1990).

1991: 

1991

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We begin offering training to area agencies and municipalities about the Americans with Disabilities Act. We conduct our 2nd “Architectural Barrier and Code Enforcement Training” program, attracting 95 building inspectors from Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties.

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Our staff, in conjunction with members of the Association of Independent Living Centers, coordinates the first statewide debate on “sheltered workshops,” held in Albany and attracting more than 150 audience participants. Our center sponsors a conference to promote supported employment - held at the Orange County Community College Extension Center in Newburgh.

1992: 

1992

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We advocate for the re-authorization of the Rehabilitation Act of 1992. Our center receives a grant to implement an Activities/Respite Program for students with developmental disabilities. We begin conducting “self-evaluations” and “transition plans” for several local municipalities.

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Our center, in partnership with 4 others, implements a regional “Social Integration Program” for senior citizens with visual impairments. Working in cooperation with the Orange County Board of Elections, we successfully increase polling site accessibility from 75% to 90%.

1993: 

1993

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We advocate for the revision and re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We continue in our efforts to increase polling site accessibility - from 90% to 95%. We initiate a disability awareness-training program that reaches hundreds of students and teachers in school districts throughout Orange County.

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We develop and implement an architectural modification program that results in improved accessibility for hundreds of private households and local businesses. We aggressively respond to community concerns, advocating for improved working conditions at two local sheltered workshops.

1994: 

1994

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We begin providing benefits advisement services, funded through the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities.

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We prepare and submit a grant application to the Orange County Department of Mental Health for the purpose of developing a mental health peer advocacy program consistent with our agency’s belief in the cross-disability approach – offering services directed to, and potentially provided by persons with all disabilities.

1995: 

1995

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We sponsor a conference on the Americans with Disabilities Act, “Clarifying the Misconceptions,” that attracts 138 participants. Working in cooperation with the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Administration and the New York State Office of the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities we provide code enforcement training to 96 area building inspectors, architects and engineers.

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We launch our newly funded Mental Health Peer Advocacy program. We establish and coordinate the First Mid-Hudson Mental Health Conference, attracting 240 participants.

1996: 

1996

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We initiate a School-to-Work program for students with disabilities enrolled in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. We initiate “Introductions” – a young adult group receiving our agency’s support in the areas of self-advocacy training and advocating for access to community activities and amenities. We conduct four community outreach forums directed to underserved minorities in the City of Newburgh.

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We sponsor a managed care conference entitled, “Working Together As We Explore the Evolution and Implementation of the Managed Care System.” The event attracts 100 participants. Independent Living Disability Advocates coordinate the second annual Mid-Hudson Mental Health Conference entitled, “Opportunities for Recovery in a Challenging Time.” 170 consumers and mental health service providers attend.

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We receive funding from the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council to initiate the "School/Community Partnership for Transition". We advocate for revisions to, and passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

1997: 

1997

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We change our agency’s name from “The Eastern Orange County Center for Independent Living” to “Independent Living, Inc.”

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We are awarded a grant to implement a “Self-help Network Facilitation Program” for persons with mental illness. We are awarded one grant that enables us to hire a full time School-to-Work Training Specialist and another that enables us to provide educational advocacy. We receive an award from the New York State Office of Vocational & Educational Services to provide rehabilitation consultation to the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.

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We initiate a “Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program” in Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess and Ulster Counties. We are awarded funding to provide Education Advocacy services to Orange County students and families.

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We advocate for revision and passage of the re-authorization of the Rehabilitation Act.

1998: 

1998

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We establish an after-hours 'drop-in center' for persons with psychiatric disabilities. The New York State Office for the Aging awards us a grant to provide SSI outreach services in Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Dutchess Counties in partnership with several community agencies.

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We plan and coordinate a fourth annual Mid-Hudson Mental Health Conference featuring a keynote address by well-known author, Mary Ellen Copeland.

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With the support of the Orange County Department of Mental Health and the cooperation of Cornwall and Arden Hill Hospitals, we begin providing 'bridger' services to persons transitioning from hospital to community life.

1999: 

1999

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We force Orange County Government to comply with the ADA by making them complete their self-evaluation and transition plan. For the fifth consecutive year, we sponsor the Mid-Hudson Conference on Mental Health – attracting 250 provider and recipient participants and featuring Harvey Rosenthal as keynote speaker.

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Our advocates provide expert disability testimony on behalf of 47 individuals with mental illness, 12 having physical disabilities.

2000: 

2000

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We receive Federal funding from the Social Security Administration to provide benefits planning, assistance and outreach services in 13 counties. We hire two additional full-time staff to increase our capacity to respond to ADA complaints.

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We successfully advocate to expand county paratransit routes to include two senior/disability housing complexes. We provide ADA Title I and Title II training to all department heads at the Orange County Government Center.

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We create a department dedicated to providing advocacy services to individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.

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2001

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We advocate for access by individuals with significant disabilities to private and publicly funded leisure time activities, programs and recreational environments. We facilitate access to local marketplace activities, community events, and employment and work learning opportunities by providing information and technical assistance.

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We increase self-advocacy and leadership skills by providing training, voluntary and paid employment opportunities for persons with significant disabilities. We develop and conduct a series of workshops for families on education, employment, benefits information, ADA, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance services, NY Cares, community options and resources, and self-advocacy.

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We participate in local, regional and statewide efforts to encourage and redirect VESID employment funds from organizations that promote segregated employment to those that are clearly committed to fully integrated, community-based employment options.

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2002

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Advocacy by our Deaf Services staff results in the appropriation of funds by the Orange County Department of Mental Health dedicated to purchasing TTYs for use in increasing mental health service access in the Orange County communities of Middletown, Goshen, New Windsor, Newburgh, and Port Jervis.

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We orchestrate a broadly successful training event for provider agencies in the Lower Hudson Valley aimed at promoting awareness of Deaf culture and facilitating the provision of appropriate accommodations to Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing service recipients.

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We advocate for systemic and attitudinal changes within the New York State Department of Health as well as local Departments of Social Services, in order to ensure that all consumers who have the potential to benefit from (and are interested in) self-directed services, are given the opportunity to do so.

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We advocate for implementation of the June 22, 1999 decision of the United States Supreme Court affirming that individuals with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated community based setting appropriate to their needs.

Looking back…: 

Looking back… Over the years, Independent Living, Inc. has help literally thousands of individuals stay the course on their personal journeys to greater self-determination and has worked to make our local neighborhoods and communities… our region and our state a better, more accessible place to live, for people with all disabilities.

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: 

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Promoting Choice, Self-determination and Total Participation Independent Living, Inc 5 Washington Terrace, Newburgh, NY 12550 845-565-1162