NYSILC Public Policy Committee Takes New Direction Related to Agendas/Issues
In early 2019, the NYSILC Public Policy Committee discussed and recommended a change in its protocol to review and support state and national issues faced by people with disabilities. Previously, the committee would identify priority issues and create an agenda, coinciding with its 3-year state plan cycle, supported by findings in its statewide needs assessment. The council would endorse the agenda. The Executive Committee recently approved the committee’s change, which looks to review the annual policy agendas of the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). The committee reserves the right to not support the agendas as a whole, endorsing priority issues and or identifying issues opposed.
With this new direction, the committee reviewed and approved NYAIL’s 2019 legislative and budget agendas. These agendas are developed in coordination with the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN), a project of the SPIL:
The committee still exercises the right under its protocol to recommend issues for the council to support, which might require action such as endorsement letters, the signing of petitions, or related actions.
NYSILC 3-year Public Policy Agenda 2016-2018
NYSILC conducted a Statewide Needs Assessment in 2015. Three overall themes emerged from the findings: Gaps and Barriers, State Institutionalized Population, and Priority Unserved Populations and Related Issues. These themes serve as the framework of the 3-year agenda for 2016-2018.
Download the agenda: NYSILC 3-year Public Policy Agenda 2016-18
In order to promote public education and awareness, the NYSILC public policy committee works to develop an agenda that articulates and supports important issues that are common to the statewide network. It is imperitive to engage and collaborate with other disability stakeholder organizations in defining the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities.
Current: NYSILC 3-Year Public Policy Agenda
Archived IL Agendas
Public Policy Highlights
Employment
Employment Initiative: NYSILC requests full implementation of Governor Cuomo's Employment First Comminon Report:
- NYS Employment First Commission Report and Recommendations March 2015
- Employment First Press Release
- Executive Order #136 to address the employment of New Yorkers with disabilities.
- Governor Cuomo launches online tool for state job seekers who are veterans or disabled.
- NYSILC Letter to Governor Cuomo Encouraging Action Regarding the Emloyment of New Yorkers with Disabilities.
Disability Inclusion in MWBE Program
Cross Disability Small Business Tax Credit
Communication Support Services for Vocational Rehabilitation
Transportation
Energy Efficient, Accessible Transportaion Services
OPPOSED: Digitally connected companies providing a transportation network of private drivers.
Cap on fares for paratransit transportation.
Statewide accessible livery vehicle service.
Transportation sercie providers to be accessible.
Rental discrimination based on source of income.
Introduction of visitability tax credit bill.
New home visitability tax credit bill.
State Institutionalized Population
Authorize an exemption to the Nurse Practice Act (NPA) for advanced home health aides to perform certain advanced tasks under the supervision of a registerd nurse.
Fund a wage premium for CDPAS attendents.
Support passage of the Federal Disability Integration Act.
$5 million increase to the State Appropriation for Independent Living Centers
Establish an Office on Community Living (OCL).
Priority Underserved Populations & Related Issues
Expand the availability of transition age youth and young adult peer support and advocacy services.
Strengthen the housing subsidy program for foster youth.
Raise the age of youthful offender status to 21.
Strengthen LGBTQIA
Support local government employment of veterans with disabilities
Other
OPPOSED: Patient Self-Determination Act
OPPOSED: New York End of Life Options Act
Other Related Policy Links:
Governor Markell's Blueprint for Employment
National Governor’s Association (NGA) “A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities Blueprint for Governors.”
Related Employment Resources
Employment Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) Documents:
- States as Model Employers of People with Disabilities
- Advancing Economic Opportunities for Business Owners and Jobseekers with Disabilities
Change.org Petition
Visit the following petition on Change.org: PETITION to sign the petition to encourage Governor Cuomo to improve the employability of New Yorkers with disabilities.
Forward the petition to your friends and networks!
Active Online Media Buzz Generated by Governor Cuomo's Executive Order
Click on the following link to view the Cision Dashboard Summary of online media activity related to the announcement of the Governor’s Employment First Executive Order.