NYSILC's 2018 Needs Assessment Report
NYSILC conducts a public input process as part of the development of the three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). It is guided by a formulation packet with a facilitation outline posing critical questions designed to solicit feedback from the public at various venues. To gather additional data, NYSILC decided to conduct a statewide needs assessment, which includes two surveys; one of Center Directors and another of consumers. Two similar assessments/surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2015 as part of the previous SPIL development. See the NYSILC 2018 Statewide Needs Assessment Report for details. NYSILC again hired Alan Krieger, a consultant with Krieger Solutions LLC, to facilitate this process, and established a committee of Council members and stakeholders to lead the process.
NYSILC 2017-2018 Annual Report
NYSILC’s Annual Report reviews program highlights and state plan duties/reports during the year. Topics include the NYS Disability Rights Hall of Fame (HOF), Leadership Development and Civic Engagement Program (LDCEP), Pat Figueroa Scholarships, NYSILC 2018 Statewide Needs Assessment, and NYSILC 2017 SPIL Evaluation. Link to the document can be found here: NYSILC 2017-2018 Annual Report.
New HIV Educational Resource from the Harlem Independent Living Center
The Harlem Independent Living Center, with support from the AIDS Institute, has produced a video series on HIV/AIDS specifically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These videos were developed in sign language by and for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These videos are part of an effort to ensure access to information about HIV among every population. The videos are linked below:
For more information regarding HIV prevention, HIV testing and treatment, go to www.nyhealth.gov/aids
Formulation/Development of New York's 3-Year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) 2020-2022
New York’s State Plan partners announce the formulation and development of the next 3-year Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). The initial public comment period will take place between July-August 2018.
NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL, INC. (NYSILC)
FORMULATION/DEVELOPMENT OF NEW YORK’S THREE-YEAR
STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (SPIL)
YEARS 2020, 2021, and 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE
Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides the authority for the New York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) and the network of Federally-Funded Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to seek public input on priority needs related to disability issues to guide the development of the next three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) in New York. The State Plan is supported by the Designated State Entity (DSE) – the New York State Education Department/Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES – VR).
The SPIL is a plan designed to improve Independent Living (IL) services for individuals with disabilities in New York State. The IL State Plan also helps to identify the needs and priorities of consumers, providers, and other stakeholders involved in the CIL network to highlight and identify common strategies. Ultimately, the State Plan is a tool that directs the use of Federal IL funding.
The New York State Independent Living Council is committed to providing full access for people with disabilities. Public hearings are open to the entire community. All hearings will be held in locations accessible to people with disabilities. Materials will be provided in alternative formats. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) and Assistive Listening Devices will be provided. Other accommodations will be available upon request.
Locations and Dates:
- Date: Thursday, July 26, 2018
Time: 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO), 755 Waverly Ave, Holtsville, NY 11742.
- Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Time: 3:00-5:00 PM
Host: Brooklyn Center for Independent Living (BCID).
Location: Independence Care Systems (ICS), 25 Elm Place, 5th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
- Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Time: 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: AIM Independent Living Center, 350 West Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901.
- Date: Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (Noon)
Location: Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR), 113 Main Street, Suite 5, Batavia, NY 14020.
- Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Time: 3:00-5:00 PM
Location: Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL), 71 Glenwood Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804.
The public hearings will be scent free events. To help make the hearings accessible to participants for whom chemicals or fragrances are an access barrier, we request that you come fragrance free. Please refrain from wearing any scented products or washing with them. This includes clothing that has been laundered with fragranced detergent or fabric softening products. Additionally, please completely air out any dry-cleaned clothing before wearing it to the event. Smoke can also be an access barrier. It is essential that we maintain a smoke-free environment. Please refrain from smoking near any doorways or paths of travel.
Written comments can be submitted to NYSILC before 5:00 PM on Friday, August 31, 2018. Comments can be sent via mail to NYSILC, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12210, faxed to (518) 427-1139, or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Individuals may want to reference the SPIL Facilitation Outline and the current SPIL objectives. Comments can also be sent directly by clicking on this link, SPIL Comments.
If you can’t make one of the identified public hearings, NYSILC encourages centers and other stakeholder groups to utilize the SPIL Facilitation Outline and current SPIL objectives to facilitate your own local focus group. Follow the outline questions and have attendees respond with feedback. Be sure to capture the collective feedback of the group. Identify the attendees, date, and group submitting the feedback.
Please provide the information in an accessible format by the written comments deadline date, before 5:00 PM on Friday, August 31, 2018. Comments can be sent via mail to NYSILC, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12210, faxed to (518) 427-1139, or e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
For additional information, contact NYSILC at (518) 427-1060 (Voice & TTY).
Do you want to review the current state plan? Click on the following link: State Plan
Needs Assessment Gift Card Winners
CONGRATULATIONS
OWEN P., AMY R., & VALERIE R.
Winners of the Amazon gift cards for their participation in NYSILC's needs assessment survey.
We would like to thank all those who participated for helping to prioritize services supporting continued and expanded Independent Living locally, regionally, and statewide.
New Federally Funded program for Seniors and People with Disabilities of New Jersey and New York City
National Disability Institute received federal funding from the US Department of Education and theAdministration for Community Living at the Department of Health and Human Services provides guidance for the NDI Alternative Financing Program. The fundingmakes it possible for NDI to provide loans from $500 to $30,000, helping residents of New Jersey and New York City to purchase assistive technology. The lending terms are favorable, helping seniors and people with disabilities to qualify for the loans.
NDI is looking to partner with community agencies to meet the need for assistive technology. Contact Laurie Schaller at 1 (202) 449-9521.