NYSILC’s next Full Council Meeting will take place on Friday, October 29^th, 2021 from 10 am – 12:30 pm. The meeting will be held on Zoom video conferencing. The meeting is open to the public, but due to security concerns using online video conferencing, we request that any members of the public who would like to participate and join our meeting contact us ahead of time for the meeting invite. Our contact us page can be found here: https://nysilc.org/contact-us

 Please let us know in the message if you need an interpreter and/or captioner during the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting is available at the calendar/event webpage link: https://nysilc.org/component/dpcalendar/event/58

We look forward to having you join us. Thank you!

Please find below the link for online registration for disaster assistance for the declared areas for New Jersey and New York. The agency understands that some individuals and families will be unable to use the website due to a lack of internet capability or hardware. If you are aware of any individuals, families, households, or communities that are unable to access this information please contact the FEMA Region 2 Disability Integration Team and they can help collaborate to get those individuals registered for disaster assistance.

Register for Disaster Assistance

Please find below the link for an accessible 9/6 NJ/NY ASL Declarations Video

New Jersey and New York Major Disaster Declarations September 6, 2021

Thanks,

Region 2 Disability Integration Team

One of NYSILC’s council members, Kathryn (Katy) Carroll, has been awarded the National Council on Independent Living’s Regional Advocacy Award! You can read the full story from NCIL below.

Washington, D.C. – On July 21, 2021, the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) announced the winners of its 2021 Advocacy Awards during its Annual Conference on Independent Living. We are thrilled to announce that Kathryn Carrol, Esq. of New York State was announced as the Region 2 Advocacy Award winner.  Region 2 encompasses New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Kathryn is a lawyer who has dedicated her career thus far to promoting, improving, and advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities and accessibility in international human rights programs, employment, transportation, education, culture and recreation, and healthcare. She has served various organizations in their disability rights-related work, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Burton Blatt Institute, United Nations, Not Dead Yet, and Caring Majority Rising. Most recently, she has focused on access to long-term services and supports by disabled people and improving home- and community-based services. Lately, Kathryn has enjoyed volunteering as a member of grassroots direct-action organizations like the Poor People’s Campaign and National ADAPT in our work to secure just and adequate COVID19 relief and support for poor and disabled people.

Kathryn also devotes her time to mentorship and causes meaningful to her. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the New York State Independent Living Council, serves on the Board of EmpowHer Network, and recently started a new position with the Association on Aging in New York.  Kathryn values and promotes mentoring through the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) and legal-profession groups.

Kathryn’s advocacy and activism impacts lives across New York and our country. Her steadfast passion for civil and social justice inspires upcoming leaders and shapes our future as a community.

To see the 2021 NCIL Awards Ceremony in full and meet the award winners from other Regions, please CLICK HERE.

NYSILC’s next Full Council Meeting will take place on Friday, July 30^th, 2021 from 10 am – 12:30 pm. The meeting will be held on Zoom video conferencing. The meeting is open to the public, but due to security concerns using online video conferencing, we request that any members of the public who would like to participate and join our meeting contact us ahead of time for the meeting invite. Our contact us page can be found here: https://nysilc.org/contact-us

 Please let us know in the message if you need an interpreter and/or captioner during the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting is available at the calendar/event webpage link: https://nysilc.org/component/dpcalendar/event/57

We look forward to having you join us. Thank you!

NYSILC SEEKING CANDIDATES TO SERVE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS

The New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) is an independent, non-profit state council with the primary responsibility to jointly develop, monitor and evaluate the three-year Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) with the Federal network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and the New Yorkers with disabilities they serve. The council is authorized under Section 705 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, as amended.

NYSILC is in the process of seeking five candidates to serve as volunteer council members appointed by the NYS Regents to three-year terms. NYSILC seeks diverse membership, including individuals with various disabilities, race/ethnicities, ages, and gender identification, geographically located throughout the state.

Individuals should complete an online application form (https://nysilc.org/council/council-member-application) in its entirety. Candidates must respond by June 30, 2021. Refer to the NYSILC background and member expectations: https://nysilc.org/resources/key-documents/other/312-nysilc-background-and-council-member-expectations/file for more information.

If you have any questions about the application, process, or duties of council members, contact Brad Williams at the NYSILC office: (518) 427-1060 X104 (voice/TTY), or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your interest in the council.

NYSILC Statement in Solidarity with Asian American Communities

The New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) condemns the acts of murder, violence, and marginalization directed towards Asian and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. NYSILC joins in solidarity with the Asian community across the country to speak out against the dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic, the majority reported by women.

NYSILC condemns the recent murder of eight people in the Atlanta area, including six Asian women. The long history of systemic oppression and racism towards Asian Americans in this country must stop and individuals must be made accountable for their actions.

As our national organization recommends, there are several resources and ways to educate yourself on racism and marginalization faced by Asian American Pacific Islanders. You can donate to AAPI organizations and can actively work to disrupt racism and white supremacy in your community.  Refer to the resources below:

Stop AAPI Hate has an outstanding list of actions you can take immediately and a hate incident tracker.

Read more and donate to these organizations:

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice and Advancing Justice Atlanta
• Stop AAPI Hate
• Asian Mental Health Collective
• National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
• Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality

NYSILC is currently engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Intersectionality (DEI) training. The council is committed to increasing our awareness, embracing change, and building equity.