Access To Independence is a community-based, consumer-controlled, nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and resources for people with disabilities.
As Cortland County's foremost disability resource, Access to Independence empowers people to lead independent lives in their community and strives to open doors to full participation and access for all. Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. will lead the community towards an all-inclusive future where discrimination and barriers no longer exist. Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. believes that all people with disabilities should have nothing more, nothing less than equal opportunity. All people have the right to control their own lives, make their own decisions and to participate fully in society.
Core Services include: Peer Counseling, Independent Living Skills Training, Information & Referral, and Systems / Individual Advocacy.
Other Programming includes: Architectural Barrier Services, Medicaid Waiver Services, Work Readiness / Employment Services, and Youth Transition Services.
As Cortland County’s foremost disability resource, Access to Independence empowers people to lead independent lives in their community and strives to open doors to full participation and access for all.
Advocacy / Legal Services: ATI provides personal (individual) and systems (public policy) advocacy services in the following areas: Education, Employment, Health Care, Commerce, Social, and Citizenship. ATI aims to increase access to equal opportunities in exercising social, economic, educational, and legal rights. ATI works with individuals, community organizations, and state/national networks to promote full inclusion of people with disabilities, and to improve the implementation of existing laws: Federal, State, and local.
The ATI Independent Living Coordinator, Community Education Coordinator, and Youth Transition / Work Readiness Coordinator offer individual advocacy services to individuals in the areas of independent living skills, benefits management, education, employment, transportation and housing, to name a few. In the event an individual requires legal assistance, ATI directs individuals to Legal Services of Central New York for further consultation.
ATI’s Systems Advocacy services include regular candidate forums, pledge-to-vote campaigns, voter registration drives, and the coordination of a local volunteer disability advocacy network. ATI participates as a member of the New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) and often interacts with members of the National Conference on Independent Living (NCIL). Both associations offer a forum to promote disability issues. The Utica-based Regional Center for Independent Living (RCIL) coordinates the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN), which provides a forum for ILC's from across the state to work collaboratively to achieve successful outcomes on disability priority issues. Each year, a disability priority agenda is developed that serves as the impetus for SSAN efforts. The 2010 Disability Priority Agenda lists ILC funding, health care, housing, employment, education, transportation, and civil rights as top priorities.
ATI staff has regularly participated in state and national legislative day activities, which included meetings with the area’s state and federal legislative leaders. In 2008, ATI participated in an event at the State Capitol to protest cuts to ILC funding and in 2009, several staff met with Governor David Paterson during one of his visits to Cortland.
Architectural Barrier Services / Accessibility Construction: ATI staff facilitates a variety of consultations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ATI is committed to providing services to agencies, businesses, governmental entities, and individuals in the areas of barrier removal, compliance with ADA regulations and universal design. A few examples of ATI’s ADA consultation services in the community include:
• Design and installation of an accessible entrance with elevator at the Homer Town Hall;
• Work with the Cortland County Board of Elections, which resulted in the relocation of four polling sites (in Cincinnatus, Blodgett Mills, Cuyler and Marathon) to accessible locations.
• Installation of a pool lift, and accessible changing room, at the YWCA;
• Installation of a ramp, accessible parking, and an elevator at Hartnett Elementary School in Truxton, NY;
• Installation of an elevator, accessible restrooms, and appropriate signage at the Cortland Works Career Center;
• Construction of accessible parking at the Country Music Park, Cortland Medical Center, the Cortland Junior/Senior High School, & the Groton Avenue Municipal parking lot;
• Accessibility modifications at the Cortland Repertory Theatre, including installation of an elevator, a new entrance and an improved handicapped seating area;
• Accessibility modifications at the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex;
• Collaboration with the East End Community Center to identify design recommendations to make it accessible and to write grant proposals to secure funding for the modifications;
• Ramps added at the Lapeer Church and at God’s Lighthouse of Praise Church, plus an accessible bathroom at the Grace Episcopal Church; and
• Installation of several curb-cuts and a number of accessible and audible crossing signals in downtown Cortland.
ATI has served more than 85 individuals through a variety of funding sources, in the area of ramps and home modifications. Since the start of the agency’s Access to Home program in 2006, the agency has seen through to completion a total of 65 projects, including the installation of ramps and electric wheelchair lifts and the renovation of bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. The program has also funded a variety of other accessibility modifications, including installation of grab bars, interior door modifications, windows, floors, and a fire alarm system for a person with a hearing impairment. The program enables people who have disabilities to stay at home rather than have to move to a nursing facility.
In 2009, ATI was awarded $150,000 from the Central New York State Developmental Disabilities Service Office (DDSO) to provide environmental home modifications and adaptive technology to qualified individuals with developmental disabilities in Cortland County.
In 2009, ATI was approved to provide Environmental Modification services (accessibility construction) on a fee-for-service basis for qualified participants in New York’s Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver programs.
Assistive Devices / Equipment: Since its inception, ATI has offered its consumers a variety of disability-related equipment and other resources on a loan basis. Resources include 32 audio tapes; 168 disability-related resource books; 31 children’s books; 6 children’s videos; 13 compact CDs; 6 DVDs; and 155 videos. ATI also offers a collection of approximately 75 exercise videos and a collection of manuals, videos, and other types of resources relating to peer mentoring, youth transition and employment.
ATI offers an equipment loan closet for individuals. Items include electric and manual wheelchairs, commodes, shower chairs, walkers, canes, cushions, trays, ramps, crutches, and nearly 50 other types of adaptive equipment.
ATI offers consumers the use of six computers that have Internet access and a full suite of software and adaptive technology. ATI offers introductory training classes for individuals twice weekly, and one-on-one computer training for those individuals that request it. Approximately 25 consumers take advantage of the computer access each week. Volunteers utilize the computer resources as well.
The ATI Consumer Computer Lab offers several models of mice and other pointing devices to help those with mobility impairments. The Lab also features multiple types of ergonomic and special keyboards that make typing easier and more comfortable. These include keyboards that have both split and tenting features and angled keys to prevent neck, shoulder, and wrist injury. Other adaptive software and technology available include the following: Kurzweil 1000TM, which speaks text aloud; a VersaPoint Duo Braille embosser (printer), which prints Braille documents; ZoomText, which magnifies the screen; JAWS, which reads the screen aloud; Dragon Naturally Speaking, which types as a person speaks; and a Sorenson Video Relay System, which facilitates phone communication for individuals with sensory impairments.
In 2010, ATI was approved to provide Assistive Technology services on a fee-for-service basis for qualified participants in New York’s Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver programs.
Community Outreach & Education: Over the past several years, ATI has completed an average of more than 100 community outreach presentations at local service provider agencies, schools, vocational and educational organizations and through various community events. ATI has also executed thoughtful public awareness initiatives to increase the community’s awareness of ATI’s programs. ATI is working to ramp up on its efforts to increase the community’s awareness even more through a variety of strategies, including: developing new and improved business relationships, facilitating community outreaches for organizations and consumer groups that may not have been targeted in the past, redoubling efforts to build collaborative partnerships with other agencies and increasing distribution of its newsletter. Examples of ATI’s regular community outreach and education mediums are as follows:
• Quarterly issues of the ATI newsletter, Access News, are distributed to more than 3,500 agencies and individuals by mail and email, and are posted to the agency’s web site;
• Facilitation of community outreach presentations at local human service provider agencies, schools, vocational and educational institutions, among others, including: Northwoods Nursing Facility, Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School;
• Participation in community events (information booth), including the Senior Enrichment Day, Kidsville, the Lumberjack Festival, Dairy Parade, Cortland Junior/Senior High School Open Houses, Cortland County Summer Youth Employment orientation, and others;
• Presentations at local schools and regional organizations regarding disability awareness, stigma, and etiquette;
• Hosting meetings for emergency preparedness providers, support groups, affordable housing task force, annual homeless count, etc.;
• Annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration;
• Annual Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) celebration;
• Public service announcements (PSA's) on the local cable access channel and radio stations;
• Monthly column in the Cortland Standard, regarding disability and advocacy issues, called “Eye on Access”;
• Press releases to local and regional media contacts about ATI activities and events;
• ‘Letters to the Editor’ published in Cortland Standard, regarding disability issues;
• Testimony at local and statewide public hearings related to housing, transportation, voting, Olmstead implementation, recreation, and other topics;
• Regular advertisements in the Cortland Standard, Penneysaver, and Sunday Democrat newspapers and circulars regarding ATI activities, programming, and events;
• Distribution of promotional items, including pens, note pads, calendars, and t-shirts, with the Agency’s emblem and contact information imprinted;
• Ongoing development of the Agency’s web site (www.aticortland.org);
• Publication and distribution of a monthly events calendar;
• Development of an updated ATI brochure and program-specific brochures;
• Distribution of event and activity flyers to individuals and agencies; and
• Weekly e-mails to local human service agencies regarding ATI’s Peer Mentoring Program.
Independent Living Skills Training: ATI aims to provide individuals with training on everyday life skills. The ATI Independent Living Coordinator facilitates a variety of group and one-on-one training sessions that relate to budgeting, meal preparation, arranging transportation, personal assistance services, job seeking and self-advocacy. Other independent living skills trainings relate to locating community resources, managing benefits, accessing health care and other social services, doing laundry, using a computer, managing difficult family situations, and many others. Since 2004, ATI has transitioned or diverted 30 people from institutionalization for a total direct savings to the state of more than $1.45 million, and an indirect savings of more than $2 million compounded over the years. In order to complete the transition or diversion, ATI helps individuals gain the skills they need to live independently. In 2009, ATI was approved to provide independent living skills training services on a fee-for-service basis for qualified participants in New York’s Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver programs.
Information & Referral: One of ATI’s core services is to provide individuals with resources and options that may be necessary in making informed choices about living, learning, and working independently. Individuals of all ages, with and without disabilities, call upon ATI to provide information relating to disability rights and services, and to help them locate other needed resources locally and state-wide.
Medicaid Waiver Services: In 2009, ATI was approved to provide services through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) program in the Syracuse and Binghamton regions. ATI was also approved to provide services through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver program in the Binghamton region. These programs aim to assist people with disabilities who currently reside in a nursing facility (or who face living in a nursing facility), to return to (or remain in) their home in the community. ATI provides Service Coordination, Environmental Modifications, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Skills Training, and Community Transitional Services under both Waivers. ATI is also approved to provide Moving Assistance and Peer Mentoring services through the NHTD program.
In 2011, ATI was approved to provide services through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medicaid Waiver program in the Syracuse region. ATI also applied to provide Community Integration Counseling (CIC) services for consumers of the NHTD program. ATI is awaiting a final decision from the DOH on this request.
Peer Counseling: Each ATI staff member offers peer counseling services to individuals with disabilities, sharing ideas and experiences about living with a disability. ATI aims to offer individuals greater awareness and control over their lives through application of the independent living philosophy.
Peer Mentoring Program (Work Readiness Services): ATI began its Peer Mentoring Program (PMP) in 2006 using grant resources secured from the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC). The PMP aims to provide persons with disabilities (PWD) access to the skills and resources necessary to gain and retain community employment. The PMP seeks to train participants on how to improve their independent living skills, such as problem solving techniques, self-determination, and self-advocacy. The program offers a variety of workshop styles, ranging from peer support sessions, to interactive assessments on attitude and barriers to employment, to co-sponsored community events. The Program includes weekly workshops and computer classes, a monthly support group, and regular trainings for mentors.
The key component of the PMP is the peer mentoring aspect. Each participant is matched with a Mentor, who provides one-on-one feedback opportunities on a regular basis. Mentees and Mentors meet for at least six hours each month to discuss topics relating to each person’s life experiences or personal goals. The program also provides insight to overcoming barriers by way of guest speakers who share their own success stories. PMP features local agencies such as ACCES-VR, Employment Connection, and Cortland Works Career Center that highlight the various services they can provide to consumers. The Program currently has 25 Mentees and 15 Mentors enrolled. Since the start of the program, six individuals have gained employment, and another has begun school at TC3.
ATI facilitates regular job shadowing experiences for interested individuals. Job shadowing gives participants an opportunity to try out new career experiences. Participating businesses have included: Edgecort Farms, Odyssey Networks, Tops, Cortland SPCA, Country Inns & Suites, Intertek, and Shaw & Boehler Florist, among others.
Every October, ATI partners with Employment Connection, the J M Murray Center, Cortland Works Career Center, ACCES-VR, and the New York State Education Department to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The related events aim to recognize the employment success of individuals with disabilities. The events include ATI’s annual Employment Conference, a three module conference that features managers of local businesses, service providers from local human service agencies, ATI staff and other guest speakers who offer participants insight into the world of employment.
Social Activities: ATI facilitates a number of different social activities for its consumers. ATI offers a regular craft class, hosts a Fun Night event at least quarterly to engage consumers and others in an opportunity to socialize, and facilitates an annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration.
Support Groups: ATI currently houses a number of local support groups, including ones for Peer Employment, Caregiver’s and Arthritis. ATI has hosted a number of other groups in the past, including ones for Depression/BiPolar, Parents of BiPolar Children and Vision Support.
Youth Services: Over the past two years, ATI has undertaken a dedicated effort to ramp up on youth transition concerns and has applied its independent living philosophy to an array of new, unique services for the community (service providers and youth consumers). Furthermore, ATI is collaborating with the area’s providers of youth transition services to lead the way in developing and implementing a set of programs that complements existing resources by promoting the development of life and independent living skills, including self-determination, self-advocacy and critical thinking. ATI is committed to empowering youth to overcome barriers and to leading productive, independent lives in the community. ATI offers peer counseling and mentoring opportunities to help youth learn to think critically, make independent decisions, manage common adolescent anxieties, and to communicate effectively with parents, friends and authority figures.
ATI coordinates a Disability Mentoring Day for Cortland youth each year. Disability Mentoring Day is recognized on the third Wednesday of every October and is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities. Hands-on career exploration, on-site job shadowing, and ongoing mentoring opportunities often lead to internship and employment opportunities for participants.
ATI offers area schools Disability Awareness Day opportunities where ATI staff visit every class during a school day to talk about disability awareness and youth transition issues.
Since 2008, ATI has co-sponsored the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) Youth Conference, an annual event which targets youth throughout Cortland County.
SYSTEMS CHANGES
In addition to serving consumers by way of one-on-one interaction, ATI also serves all individuals with disabilities by way of advocating for systems change outcomes. Systems changes are permanent changes to policies, practices, or the environment that lead to the inclusion and independence of people with disabilities. ATI reported three systems changes in 2001 - 2002; six systems changes in 2002 - 2003; nine systems changes in 2003 - 2004; 17 systems changes in 2004 - 2005; 11 systems changes in 2005 - 2006; 13 systems changes in 2006 – 2007; 22 systems changes in 2007 – 2008; 14 systems changes in 2008 – 2009; 16 systems changes in 2009 – 2010; and 6 systems changes in 2010 – 2011. Ongoing accomplishments and systems changes over the past nine years have included:
• Increase in the number of crosswalks in the City of Cortland which are fully accessible;
• Increase in the number of affordable, accessible housing options in the City and County of Cortland;
• Increase in the number of inclusive health and wellness programs in the community;
• Approval by the Cortland County Legislature for a partial property tax exemption for low income people with disabilities;
• Adoption by the Cortland Cultural Council of accessibility guidelines for programs funded by the NYS Arts Council Decentralization grants;
• Appointment of Executive Director as Co-Chair of the Community Services Board;
• Creation of a volunteer disability advocacy network to respond to disability Action Alerts;
• Incorporation by the Cortland Junior/Senior High School of ATI into its services for students with disabilities through the Model Transition Program (MTP) grant. This includes participation in Parent Open Houses and inclusion in youth transition resource room activities;
• Redesign of the Community Restaurant’s entrance in order to install automatic doors and make the slope of their ramp ADA compliant;
• Recommendation to the Cortland County Transportation Committee that led to the purchase of three of six new buses that allow seating for up to four (4) wheelchairs;
• Installation of automatic doors at the main corridor of the Cortlandville Town Hall (and polling site), and adjustment of the pounds of pressure on interior doors for ease of opening;
• Appointment of the ATI Independent Living Coordinator as the Secretary of the Board Directors of Catholic Charities in Cortland County, representing the disability perspective;
• Addition of an accessible bathroom to the SUNY Cortland Alumni House with receipt of funding from Senator James Seward;
• Redesign of the Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) parking lot to make available accessible parking by widening the access aisles to eight feet in width;
• Installation of automatic doors at the entrance of the JM McDonald Sports Complex and repaving of the parking lot to bring it to curb-cut level making handicapped parking truly accessible;
• Addition of an accessible trail, bridge and deck, allowing individuals with disabilities to enjoy the out-of-doors on a part of their trail system at the Lime Hollow Nature Center; and
• Incorporation of a module on disability awareness and self-determination into the Cortland County Summer Youth Employment Program Orientation, presented by ATI staff on an annual basis.
