News You Can Use

In January Margaret Nunziato became the second executive director of Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) succeeding Joe Bravo who retired after founded the organization four decades ago. Read more here: WILC_WestfairBusinessJournals_2.15.21_MediaClip (002)

9.22.2020 UNLOCKING DOORS. BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Visit NYS Division of Human Rights to learn more about housing discrimination,  breaking down barriers, fair housing rights and upcoming webinars. Sept. 25: What Does Fair Housing Mean? A panel of experts will be providing an in-depth look into how all New Yorkers with a non-employment lawful source of […]

9.15.2020 RISE UP! Community. Connection. Culture. NYAPRS Annual conference will be held virtually in recognition of the isolating consequences of social distancing and quarantine required by COVID-19 as well as our long overdue need to confront the pervasive impact of racisms in ourselves, our systems and our culture. September 22 to October 1. Visit NYAPRS […]

8.13.20 Looking for a getaway that packs in plenty of fun and also happens to be accessible? Visit https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/accessibility/ for a list of accessible attractions, lodging, and restaurants with accessible accommodations. From majestic waterfalls to captivating mansions and some of the best displays of modern art in the country, there are lots of things to […]

April 15, 2020 The Disability and Health Program is committed to providing resources and information to stakeholders supporting people with disabilities, their families, and professionals who support them.

April 16, 2020 The Social Security Administration announced today that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department.  Treasury anticipates these automatic payments no later than early May.

  We are celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program! This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Fess Act of 1920, also known as the Industrial Rehabilitation Act and referred to as “The National Civilian Vocational Rehabilitation Act,” into law June 2, 1920. The […]

10.1.2019 Affordable/Accessible Rental Units Hillcrest Commons Phase 2, Carmel WILC/PILS is in a contractual agreement with Hillcrest Commons Phase 2 in Carmel, an affordable housing development for seniors and frail disabled (their description) 55+.  We have 12 set aside units and are given priority for referrals for these units. The deadline for applications is October […]

9.16.2019 September is National Service Dog Month Information, Guidance and Training on how to implement the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) in order to support the ADA mission to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.” ADA specialists in each of the ten Regional ADA Centers provide  […]

1.22.2019  As a longstanding supporter of equality, diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, I recently wrote to a number of major corporations that our state pension fund invests in regarding disability inclusion. Companies that embrace an inclusive workplace have access to a bigger pool of talent. In addition, a recent study “Getting to Equal: The Disability […]

1.22.2019 Despite the ongoing shutdown, Congress passed the Medicaid Extenders Act this week. On Thursday, the Senate passed the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 (H.R. 259). Now the bill has passed both the House and Senate, and is awaiting the President’s signature. It provides three-month extensions of both Medicaid home and community based services (HCBS) […]

11.8.2018 – This November, Putnam Independent Living Services Recognizes National Diabetes Awareness Month and the Role of Inclusion in Prevention This month-long campaign highlights a critical need for disability inclusion in diabetes prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the rate of diabetes cases in the United States has nearly tripled […]

10.18.2018 Understanding new service and support systems for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in housing and services and understanding the relevance of Intentional Communities: Support systems for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities need to be healthy, safe, person centered and of high quality, and they need to be sustainable for the long term. […]

9.6.2018 – On Wednesday, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee will consider the EMPOWER Care Act, bipartisan legislation to re-authorize the Money Follows the Person program, which helps people with disabilities move from institutions into the community. Lindsay Miller, Executive Director, New York Association on Independent Living. MFP is little known outside of the disability community, […]

8.9.18 – The recent refusal and later, accommodation, received by an incoming freshman student, with a disability, at SUNY Purchase highlights the issue on campus of accessibility and ADA access. Read more about the class action lawsuit against the State University of New York at Purchase College, located in Westchester County, alleging that it violates […]

  The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today released the ONC Guide to Getting and Using your Health Records, https://www.healthit.gov/how-to-get-your-health-record/check-it/,  a new online resource for individuals, patients, and caregivers.   This new resource supports both the 21st Century Cures Act goal of empowering patients […]

The Housing Resource guide for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Westchester County NY, was written to assist people with ASD-I/DD, their families and the people who provide support including professionals, providers, and oversight agencies. Westchester Institute for Human Development Click here for the Housing Resource Guide for People […]

April 2018 – The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today released the ONC Guide to Getting and Using your Health Records,  a new online resource for individuals, patients, and caregivers. This new resource supports both the 21st Century Cures Act goal of empowering patients […]

Public Comment open for draft NYS Transition Plan to better integrate services based on person-centered planning for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) 1115 Waiver Transition Plan The New York State Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities […]