Accomplishments

1995

June: Certificate of Incorporation as a not-for-profit corporation.

Initial NYSILC members included: James Billy, TK Small, Dr. Fleischer, Marcie Goldstein, Ed Knight, Anne Pavlak, Chris Rosa, Ralph Shields, Doug Usiak, Marianne Williams, and Gisela Distel.

1996

March: IRS 501(c)3 non-profit status.

1997

December: Became certified as tax exempt in New York State.

1999

January: Brad Williams hired as executive director.

Sponsorship begins of the annual Points of View cable access television program.

Grant writing workshop.

Private Sector Funding Workshop.

Resource materials provided to network:

  • New York State Grants Guide and calendar.
  • New York State Policymakers Guide.
  • Strategic Planning Workbook.
  • Marketing Workbook.
  • VHS copies of the Points of View cable access television program were made available and distributed.
  • Reference binder of all regulations, reporting documents, and forms for federal CILs.

Passage of the Federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA).

$1.5 million dollar increase to the State appropriation.

2000

Development and distribution of individually tagged PSA media kits for the statewide network.

NYSILC supports the NYS Attorney General's decision to sign on to the State of Minnesota’s amicus brief in Garrett vs. Alabama, which defends Title II of the ADA under the 14th Amendment.

$1 million increase to the State appropriation.

2001

$40,000 over two years to act as the court-appointed monitor in the Galusha v. DEC federal consent decree.

Development and distribution of individually tagged Spanish-speaking PSA media kits for the statewide network.

Disability Caucus held in Albany.

IL History & Philosophy training product distributed to network.

Reversal of a NYS Code Council decision to call for 100% adaptability in the construction of new apartments.

Coordination and systems advocacy on 9/11 World Trade Center issues that impacted people with disabilities in the New York City area until CIDNY could regain local control.

2002

NYSILC sponsored training on IL History & Philosophy and/or Board Roles & Responsibilities.

Statewide CIL Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

Presentations at state/national conferences:

  • Region X conference in Boise, ID.
  • IL NET training on media relations in Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Systems advocacy training for New Jersey SILC and CILs.

Passage of a state Medicaid Buy-In program.

Passage of a state Most-Integrated Setting Coordinating Council law.

Passage of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

2003

$60,000 per year from the IL NET to evaluate and provide training and technical assistance to CILs and SILCs in Regions I & II.

SSAN leadership development training.

IL Annual Conference: Back to Our Roots in Albany.

Presentations at national conferences.

A SILC's Role in Media Advocacy training presented at the SILC Congress in Anaheim, CA.

Region III conference on Using the SPIL to Create Unity in Philadelphia, PA.

Region VI teleconference on SILCs as Agents of Change.

Distribution of the DVD version of IL History & Philosophy product.

REPORT: 2003 Voting Machine Accessibility Survey.

Budget restoration/SSI COLA.

Support of NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer signing on to the State of Minnesota’s amicus brief in Tennessee v. Lane before the U.S. Supreme Court.

2004

REPORT: Home Sweet Home…Unless You Don't Have a Home! A Look at the Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities in New York State and Recommendations for Reform.

REPORT: A Different Universe Zogby Voting Trends Report.

Dissemination of statewide results - 2004 CIL Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

2005

Nursing Facility Transition 101 training.

Maine SILC consultation in Bangor, ME.

Acquisition of the Wisconsin QUILS peer quality assurance product for the statewide network.

REPORT: WHERE THE RUBBER FAILS TO MEET THE ROAD: A Look at the Negative Impact Transportation Gaps Have on the Life of New Yorkers with Disabilities and Recommendations for Reform.

REPORT: Complaints Reveal Widespread Patterns of Voting Discrimination Against New Yorkers with Disabilities.

REPORT: 2005 Voting Machine Accessibility Survey: Let the Buyer…and Disabled Voter…Beware!

NYSILC Article 78 lawsuit against the NYS Board of Elections in State Supreme Court. NYSILC is awarded an appointment to the advisory committee to select voting machines per state statute.

2006

Sponsorship of the NYAIL 2006 Conference and Disability Caucus.

Development and distribution of a Financial Reference Guide for statewide network.

REPORT: NYSILC Housing Institute Handout: The Housing Crises for Persons with Disabilities.

REPORT: Executive Summary: 2006 NYS Voting Access Survey Report.

USDOJ lawsuit of New York State for HAVA violations. NYSILC submits evidence and affidavits.

Dismayed with the federal judge’s “Plan B” ruling, NYSILC and other plaintiffs file suit in federal court seeking intervention rights in the case represented by the firm Proskauer Rose, LLP.The federal judge denies the plaintiffs’ motion to intervene without reason. Proskauer Rose immediately submits an appeal.

The court delays action. Proskauer Rose files a "motion to expedite” the appeal. The Court refuses to move. Senior Attorney Stephen Kaye passes away ten days before Election Day. The group decides to drop the appeal.

Voting trends survey of New Yorkers with disabilities is conducted with the Siena Research Institute and Zogby International.

Statewide CIL Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

2007

Statewide Disability Vote Training event held in Albany with Lt. Governor Paterson as the keynote speaker.

Surveys completed: Needs Assessment, Housing Needs, CIL Technology & Equipment.

Housing Institute Statewide Training held in Albany – participants given IL housing specialists manual.

NYS Senator William Larkin introduces proactive polling place bill S.6311 to the senate, based on the direct input of advocates.

Advocates generate over 500 letters in five days and convince the NYSBOE to drop consideration of segregated use of Ballot Marking Devices at countywide accessible voting sites for people with disabilities (including the use of affidavit ballots). The sites would be integrated for all voters in 2006.

Advocates defeat an amendment to HR 811 that would have suspended the voting access rights of New Yorkers with disabilities under HAVA until 2010. The amendment got as far as Speaker Pelosi and the Chair of the Rules Committee.

Through constant pressure, advocates help to guide and influence an updated court order that requires the state to have one Ballot Marking Device per polling place for 2008.

2008

Assemblyman Cahill introduces a “same as” bill to S.6311 in the Assembly regarding polling place accessibility. It passes on Assembly Disability Awareness Day.

REPORT: "NYSILC Focus Group Voting Machine Testing Report".

REPORT: "2008 Disability Travel Survey."

"Affordable, Accessible, and Integrated Housing" publication distributed to statewide network of centers (IL housing specialist manual updated).

2008 post-election polls/voting trends of people with disabilities (Zogby & SRI).

Post-production of voting rights documentary completed by GDI Video.

2009

Statewide CIL Consumer Satisfaction Survey.

Brad Williams was appointed to the Statewide HAVA Task Force.

NYSILC drafted a polling place access bill that eventually passed in the State Senate and Assembly. However, Governor Paterson vetoed the bill for fiscal reasons in September 2009. NYSILC responded by notifying US DOJ about the improper reasoning used by the Governor in his veto message.

The Outreach Subcommittee hosted an IL/VA forum to discuss veterans with disabilities issues at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany on September 25, 2009. A positive dialogue ensued that should allow for collaboration and networking to continue between IL and VA groups. Steps were taken to define the process to encourage centers to become vendors of VA services.

The accessible voting rights documentary, HAVA in New York: The Long Road to a Fundamental Right, was completed in cooperation with Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). The documentary is currently being submitted to disability film festivals.

2010

Co-presented national webcast: “Leading Statewide Strategic Planning,” February 4, 2010.

APRIL consulting, Connecticut SILC, August 2010.

Voting rights documentary accepted for the Picture This...Film Festival in Alberta, Canada, and the Illuminating Disability in Film festival in Edmonton, Canada.

New computer technology successfully installed in the NYSILC offices.

Letter sent to NYSED Commission regarding need to expedite RFP process for SSAN and related SPIL objectives. SED, VESID, RSA respond.

Letter sent to NYSED Commissioner regarding MWBE requirement related to SSAN RFP. Exception made to RFP.

2011

Letter received from RSA Commissioner regarding SPIL language consistency issues and reference to SPIL-related RFP issue.

Ongoing letters between NYSILC and ACCES-VR to address SPIL language consistency issues and reference to SPIL-related RFP issue.

Developed scope of work, conducted search, and selected SPIL Evaluator. Working on developing materials with relevant committees to accept responsibilities and evaluate SPIL objectives.

Successfully initiated SPIL objectives related to CIL media and young adult leadership.

Executive director and Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee chair active with NYSOEM Human Service Committee. Submitted two proposals for statewide network.

APRIL consulting, Tennessee SILC, in August.

2012

Best practice: Full implementation of a SPIL evaluation system utilizing the SILC committee structure. Resulting in a 2011 SPIL Evaluation Report.

Acquisition, setup, distribution, and training for Kindle 3’s for statewide network of centers and council members.

Distribution of Accessible Voting Rights DVD and article to statewide network.

Needs Assessment Report

Post election poll and report on voting trends of New Yorkers with disabilities

2013

NYSILC press conference highlighting results of Statewide Needs Assessment in LGA Room, Albany, NY.

REPORT: 2013 Young Adult Survey and Report

REPORT: 2012 NYSILC Annual Report (New Format)

REPORT: NYSILC 2012 SPIL Evaluation

IL-Net webinar on outreach to unserved and underserved populations (Part I) September 16, 2013.

Successful transition to Minority and Women Owned Business vendors.

NYSILC letter to Governor Cuomo regarding employment of New Yorkers with disabilities.

Launch of NYSILC Leadership Development and Civic Engagement Program campaign.

Significant progress on transition of IL Philosophy & History product to online tutorial.

2014

Accomplishments:

Development of an online IL Philosophy & History tutorial: http://www.nysilc.org/~nysilc/il_philosophy/index.html.

Development of a new web platform and enhanced website for NYSILC: www.nysilc.org.

The council’s proactive advocacy on the issue of employment and the “Better Bottom Line” initiative” led to meetings in 2014. On September 17, 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an Employment First Executive Order #136. The Executive Order prioritized the employment of New Yorkers with disabilities committing to increasing the employment rate while decreasing the poverty rate by 5%. This order also empowers a commission to start working on solutions to facilitate peers to meet the overall goals by March 2015. Click here to read the official press release and executive order.

NYSILC engaged a Database Work Group related to SPIL objective # 9. The group developed a draft product description with technical specifications to establish a data interface to compile, analyze and interpret data from the statewide network of centers. The new system is intended to synthesize common data collected from the diverse list of over forty Independent Living Centers. These centers comply with state, federal or combined reporting (and data) requirements, utilizing a variety of database programs.

REPORT: Statewide Consumer Satisfaction Survey http://www.nysilc.org/images/FINAL_NYS_2014_Consumer_Satisfaction_Survey_Report.docx.

REPORT: 2013 Annual Report http://www.nysilc.org/images/2013_NYSILC_Annual_Report.docx.

REPORT: 2014 Post Election Survey http://www.nysilc.org/images/2014_NY_Post_Election_Survey_Report.docx.

The New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC) held a Best Practice Webinar on September 23, 2014 to highlight the following Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) projects and the outreach populations they served: http://www.nysilc.org/images/2014-09-23%2013.03%20NYSILC%20Best%20Practice%20Webinar.wmv.

Based on post-SPIL letter and issues raised by the State Plan partners, the RSA Commissioner responded back in a letter to the concerns and directed the issues to be addressed with technical edits to the SPIL without the need of public feedback or amendment. The technical edits were agreed to by the State Plan partners and the RSA Region II liaison.

SPIL Evaluation

2015

State Plan Trends: (2017-2019)

Part B: SILC, SSAN, IL conference, priority population and issue demonstration project. Projects carried over from previous SPIL with unspent Part B funds: CBILCO projects and integrated database/interface. Part C: No new center competitions. Look to use new funds to increase the existing CILs funding base. ARRA funding cliff cut base. Need to restore funds and build capacity to new self-sustainment level.

Accomplishments:

2016

NYSILC 3-year Public Policy Agenda (2016-2018): http://nysilc.org/images/NYSILC_Three_Year_Public_Policy_Agenda.doc.

2016 SPIL Evaluation (for 2015): http://nysilc.org/images/Final_SPIL_Evaluation_Report_2015.docx.

2016 Annual Report (for 2015): http://nysilc.org/images/2015_NYSILC_Annual_Report_FINAL.docx.

2017-2019 NY SPIL approved (with WIOA considerations): http://nysilc.org/images/Clean_Copy_Draft_NY_SPIL_fifth.doc.

2016 NYSILC Presidential Post-Election Poll: http://nysilc.org/images/FINAL_NYSILC_2016_PRESIDENTIAL_POST_ELECTION_POLL_REPORT.docx.

2017

IL History & Philosophy tutorial updated with access improvements: https://www.nysilc.org/~il_philosophy

2017 NYS CIL Statewide Consumer Satisfaction Survey: https://www.nysilc.org/resources/key-documents/reports/260-2017-nysilc-statewide-consumer-satisfaction-survey-report.

NYSILC 2016 Annual Report: https://www.nysilc.org/images/2016_NYSILC_Annual_Report_Final.docx.

NYSILC YouTube videos to promote NYSILC and priority programs:

Meetings with NYS State Education Department Chancellor and Regents. The council instructed the Executive Director in October 2016 to write a letter to the Chancellor to meet regarding the subject of youth and young adult transition and opportunities for the IL network. It took Brad William seven months to arrange for the first meeting on June 13, 2017 with Chancellor Rosa and Regents Cea and Oderkirk, along with ACCES-VR Deputy Commissioner Smith. Several council members attended the meeting on behalf of NYSILC and the IL network. A group of NYSILC members left the November 14, 2017 full council meeting early to attend a follow up meeting with Chancellor Rosa, Regents Cea and Oderkirk, Commissioner Elia, and Deputy Commissioner Smith. Instead of focusing on the original issue, the meeting shifted toward discussion of IL services, outcomes, the proposed of a statewide database, and the $5 million requested increase for the IL network.

2018

NYSILC created the NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame (HOF). The inaugural NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame awards and event took place on April 26, 2018 at the Troy Hilton garden inn. The life-long achievements of eight peers were honoured. Refer to bios and event bio n the following NYSILC webpage:  https://nysilc.org/inductees-2018.

NYSILC created the LDCEP. Launched in February 2018, the Leadership Development and Civic Engagement Program (LDCEP) is a peer-based program for New Yorkers with disabilities that provides online video and podcast trainings, live chats, action and resources on a variety of topics such as advocacy, leadership development, civic engagement, and life skills. Visit www.ldcep.org for details.

CBILCO “How To” manuals distributed to network and posted. NYSILC distributed the IL network Capacity Building Independent Living Center Opportunity (CBILCO) grant “How To” manuals  and then posted them to the council’s website: https://nysilc.org/monitoring-and-evaluation

2018 NYSILC Statewide Needs Assessment Report: https://nysilc.org/images/NYSILC_2018_Statewide_Needs_Assessment_Report.doc

2018 NYSILC Annual report: https://nysilc.org/news/reports/127-2018-nysilc-annual-report

2017 SPIL Evaluation Report: https://nysilc.org/news/reports/102-2017-spil-evaluation-report