Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. Nothing More, Nothing Less For All People ACCESS NEWS With Disabilities Spring 2014 NUMBER XXXX ATI Recognizes Volunteers ATI Celebrates Founding Day ATI Awarded Grants On April 10, ATI recognized the On May 8, ATI recognized its Over the last several months, contributions of its volunteers by 16th anniversary as a nonprofit cor- ATI has been awarded a number of hosting them to pizza, wings and poration by hosting 50 former and small grants from area foundations salad. ATI also presented special current Board Members to a cele- in support of specific program and awards of appreciation to two indi- bration luncheon. operations initiatives. viduals who went above and be- On May 8, 1998, founding Board On February 19, ATI received yond over the past six months: Sara Members included: Thomas Miller, $2,000 from the Ralph R. Wilkins Askew and Rene Waddy. Lorriane Janke and Christopher Far- Foundation towards the cost of in- Over the past six months, 45 kas. Frances Pizzola was the found- stalling a new network server and individuals have volunteered their ing volunteer Director. At the time productivity software for consumer time at ATI for a total of 1,156 ATI was housed in Room 200 of the and staff computers. hours. Volunteers donated their County Office Building. On March 31, ATI received time in various ways, including: ATI’s roots go back to the 1980’s $2,000 from the Triad Foundation providing clerical support, partici- when it was known as the Cortland to provide support for ATI’s 2014 pating in advocacy efforts, partici- County Accessibility Committee Disability Employment Awareness pating on the Board of Directors, (CCAC). As a local community ac- Month (DEAM) programming and helping out at fundraisers, and help- tion group, the CCAC spearheaded awareness activities. ing out at awareness events, to a number of initiatives relating to On April 4, ATI received $1,000 name just a few. curb cuts and enforcement of acces- from the CNY Community Foun- Many thanks go out to each and sible parking spots. dation’s Allen Speiser Memorial Vo- every ATI volunteer for their dedi- Just prior to its incorporation, cational Rehabilitation Fund to pro- cation and commitment. Without ATI was affiliated with the Finger- vide support for ATI’s 2014 DE- their help, ATI would not be able to lakes Independence Center (FLIC), AM programming and awareness accomplish everything it does. a sister center based in Ithaca. activities. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Bowl-a-Thon Raises $3,700 for ATI ............................... 2 ATI Participates in 2014 Kidsville .................................... 3 SUNY Cortland Interns Complete Semester .................. 3 Property Tax Exemptions .................................................. 4 Housing Consortium Meets ............................................... 5 PABSS Employment Legal Services ................................. 5 “With Help from a Friend”................................................ 6 ATI Develops Community Resource Guide ................... 7 What is Medicaid Long Term Care? ................................. 8 Upcoming SSI Payment Change ....................................... 8 What is the 2-1-1 Helpline? .............................................. 8 ATI Presses State to Pass Housing Laws ......................... 9 Accessibility Construction Services ................................ 10 2014 Bowl-a-Thon Raises $3,700 for ATI On Saturday, April 12, more than 55 bowlers convened at Cort-Lanes to enjoy a half-day of rocking music, inclusive recreation fun, pizza, and door prizes donated by more than 20 local businesses! ATI awarded four King Pin Trophy’s at this year’s event. Mark Bregard stole the show this year by taking home two trophies; one for most money raised by an individual and one for most pins knocked down by an individ- ual. The Cortland Area Flute Ensemble team took home the trophy for most pins knocked down by a team. The TC3 team took home the trophy for most money raised by a team. The 2014 ATI Bowl-a-Thon would not have been such a success with- out the ardent support of community donors and businesses. This year’s event sponsors included Alpla, Inc. and Empire Construction. Business supporters included: Higgins Supply Company, SUNY Cortland Student Government Association and the Homer High School Student Council. Many thanks go out to all of this year’s bowlers and contributors! ATI is recruiting interested individuals with diverse back- grounds, with & without disabilities, to serve on its Board. For more information, please contact: Mary E. Ewing, Executive Director by phone: 607-753-7363; or by email: [email protected] 2 2014 Kidsville Event SUNY Cortland Interns ATI Youth Transition Services On April 12, ATI participated in Since January, ATI has benefit- Access to Independence (ATI) the Cortland Child Development ed from the time and energy of offers a variety of Youth Transition Council’s (CCDC) 2014 Kidsville two interns from SUNY Cortland. Services that aim to help youth and event. The CCDC holds the event Both assisted with ATI’s Systems young adults make a successful tran- each year as a way to raise aware- Advocacy, Peer Mentoring and sition from school into post- ness of the importance of early Youth Transition programs as well secondary education or employment. childhood programs and services. as helped to raise funds for our ATI offers individualized peer This year, the central theme of 2014 Bowl-a-Thon! mentoring, transition planning, inde- Kidsville was “Adventures in Art”. Christina Papaleo helped ATI pendent living skills training and Three representatives from ATI, develop an incredible Community work readiness skills training to youth along with 24 community agencies Resource Guide and facilitated of all ages and provides support and worked hard to develop art-based research and outreach to schools advocacy to them and their families. programs that provided enjoyment, to ensure the Guide is an effective ATI also offers school-based education and opportunity for self- and accessible tool moving for- workshops for students at all grade expression. ward. Christina is a graduating sen- levels. For students in kindergarten Jessi Colletti, an intern from ior from the Education Depart- through grade 6, ATI offers a series SUNY Cortland, created an adap- ment at SUNY Cortland and will of disability awareness workshops, tive art activity for ATI’s booth be going on to pursue her Master’s each of which is tailored to the grade called “Blackout Drawing”. The degree in disability studies. She -level of students. These workshops purpose of the activity was to also plans to become an active introduce students to the basic con- demonstrate that people of all abili- member of YOUTH POWER! cepts of disabilities and aim to mini- ties are able to participate in expres- Jessi Colletti helped ATI devel- mize the stigma that is often associat- sive arts. op a fun and inspiring art activity ed with having a disability. Once participants were “blacked for this year’s Kidsville event and For students in grades 7 through out” with a blind fold, instructions collaborated with Christina to re- 12, ATI offers an additional series of on how to draw a particular object search and develop a social- workshops that focus on the inde- were read to them. Upon comple- employment support group plan pendent living movement and the tion of the drawings, participants for 2014. Jessi is a graduating sen- various laws that have been enacted were asked to take off their blind ior from the Recreation Therapy to protect the civil rights of people folds to witness their creation. Ob- Department at SUNY Cortland with disabilities, including the Indi- servation of creations resulted in and will be going on to an intern- viduals with Disabilities Education laughs and the desire to play again. ship at a Psychiatric facility in New Act (IDEA) and the Americans with When inquiring about the pur- York City! Disabilities Act (ADA). pose of the blindfold, participants The Access to Independence Lastly, ATI offers a unique self- were told it acted as a sensory im- Board of Directors and staff thank determination workshop for students pairment. The purpose was to pro- Christina and Jessi for their hard in special education. These interactive vide an understanding of what it is work, creativity and advocacy over workshops help students learn more like to have a disability and how the last few months and wish them about their disabilities and abilities, activities can be adapted to provide the best in future endeavors. and show them the importance of inclusivity among all participants. being engaged and involved during the development of their Individual Education Plans (IEP) and transition plans. For more information on ATI’s Youth Transition Services, please contact Aaron T. Baier, ATI Con- sumer & Systems Advocacy Coordi- nator, by phone at 607-753-7363, or by email at [email protected]. 3 Property Tax Exemptions for Persons with Disabilities Did you know that local governments and school districts in New York State can opt to grant a reduction on the amount of property taxes paid by qualifying persons with disabilities? To qualify, a person with disabilities generally must have certain documented evidence of their disability and meet certain income limitations and other requirements. The basic exemption is a 50% reduction in the assessed value of the legal residence of the qualifying person with a disability. For the basic exemption, the law allows each county, city, town, village, or school district to set the maximum income limit at any figure between $3,000 and $29,000. Localities have the further option of giving exemptions of less than 50% to persons with qualifying disabilities whose incomes are more than $29,000. Under this option, called the "sliding-scale" option, a qualifying owner can have a yearly income as high as $37,399.99 and get a 5% exemption in places that are using the maximum limit. When the property is owned by one or more people, and one or more of the owners qualify for this exemp- tion while others qualify for the Senior Citizens' Exemption, the owners have the option of choosing the more beneficial exemption.