New York Association on Independent Living

New York Association on Independent Living The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL) is a statewide membership organization of ILCs

NYAIL provides programs in three interlocking areas: public policy and systems change, technical assistance and membership programs to strengthen New York State's Independent Living Centers, and public education about Independent Living and the services and supports needed by people with disabilities to live in the community. NYAIL seeks in all its activities to remove barriers to the independence

, inclusion, and integration of people with disabilities in New York. Independent Living Centers are unique disability-led, cross-disability, locally administered not-for-profit organizations, providing advocacy and supports to assist people with disabilities of all ages to live independently and fully integrated in their communities. ILCs have served as the voice of the disability rights movement in New York since its inception more than two decades ago. We assist individuals in navigating complex service systems and advocate to ensure access to their chosen services and supports. Core programs include information and referral services, peer counseling, individual and systems advocacy, and independent living skills training. Other services vary from center to center but generally include: assistance with housing, education, employment, medical needs and personal attendant services. NYAIL works with ILCs to ensure the rights of all individuals with disabilities are protected, through individual advocacy, legislative and administrative systemic advocacy, grassroots organizing and, when necessary, direct action aimed at focusing the attention of decision-makers on the voice of people with disabilities who are impacted by their decisions.

Great work by all the disabled advocates on the ground! 
06/12/2026

Great work by all the disabled advocates on the ground! 

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

Today, we filed two new lawsuits in New York and Illinois challenging assisted su***de laws.

These laws create a dangerous double standard by treating su***de as a tragedy for some people and a solution for others. People with disabilities deserve equal protection under the law, not policies that put vulnerable patients at risk.

We're proud to stand alongside plaintiffs, disability advocates, and allies fighting for justice, equality, and genuine care.

https://endassistedsu***de.org/

Yesterday we held our quarterly Board meeting at Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc. Thank you so much for h...
06/11/2026

Yesterday we held our quarterly Board meeting at Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc. Thank you so much for hosting us! We were also joined by Kim Ridley, Holly Saupp, and Ben Thapa from the NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer - OCDO as we begin planning our advocacy strategy for next year's legislative session.
Photo 1: NYAIL board members sitting around an oval conference table at LICIL.
Photo 2:
NYAIL board members pose with Kim Ridley, Holly Saupp and Ben Thapa from the Office of the Chief Disability Office in the Long Island Center for Independent Living’s conference room.

Lead on!!!
06/10/2026

Lead on!!!

NYAIL's Executive Director Lindsay Miller, Assistant Executive Director Suzanne de Beaumont, and several ILC Directors v...
06/10/2026

NYAIL's Executive Director Lindsay Miller, Assistant Executive Director Suzanne de Beaumont, and several ILC Directors visited the NYS Museum of Disability History at the on Long Island. The museum opened in February. Have you been able to visit and learn more about New York's history of advancing Disability Rights? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Photo 1: NYAIL board members and staff pose in front of the Henry Viscardi display at the NYS Museum of Disability History. Pictured left to right: Tyler Whitney.
Photo 2: Tyler Whitney (SAIL), Alex Mikowski (ATI), Suzanne de Beaumont & Lindsay Miller (NYAIL) and Anthony Mignone (RCAL) pose in front of a display at the NYS.

Please see the event being hosted by Westchester on the Move and the alt text for their flyerAlt Text-------------------...
06/09/2026

Please see the event being hosted by Westchester on the Move and the alt text for their flyer

Alt Text----------------------
An image flyer for the NPW Disabilities Providers Affinity Group meeting hosted by Nonprofit Westchester.

The flyer has a white background with prominent yellow headers and sections.

Event Title: "Collaborating for Inclusion: Disability Programs in Action"

Date & Time: June 12, 2026, from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.

Location: NPW Offices, 570 Taxter Road, 4th Floor, Elmsford, NY.

Details: It notes the event is FREE but for NPW Members Only. It instructs attendees to email Suzanne at [email protected] for accommodation requests.

Description: A text column on the right explains that the session will explore successful models for launching and sustaining disability-focused programs, encouraging participants to share successes and challenges through breakout group conversations.

Additional Info: It lists the next affinity group meeting date as Friday, October 9, 2026, and includes a QR code alongside a URL to register: www.npwestchester.org/upcoming-events.

Sponsors: Logos at the bottom feature Grassi, Mutual of America Financial Group, Brown & Brown Insurance, and Hudson Valley Credit Union.

Join the next NPW Disabilities Providers Affinity Group on Friday, June 12, for an engaging discussion on Collaborating for Inclusion: Disability Programs in Action.

This interactive session will explore successful models for launching and sustaining disability-focused programs, while providing an opportunity to share challenges, exchange ideas, and identify practical solutions with fellow nonprofit professionals.

🗓️ June 12, 2026
⏰ 8:30–10:30 a.m.
📍 NPW Offices, Elmsford

Register today: https://npwestchester.org/event-6482451/Registration

Are you interested or planning to attend? Check out the agenda and workshops for more info! . 
06/09/2026

Are you interested or planning to attend? Check out the agenda and workshops for more info! . 

The agenda for NCIL’s 2026 Annual Conference on Independent Living has been updated with new details, and the full workshop schedule is now available on our website.

- Workshops: https://bit.ly/49LbS2F
- Agenda: https://bit.ly/4fuIZvn

Workshops are organized into tracks such as Advocacy in Action, Empowered to Lead, Building Resilient Organizations, and Strengthening Connections. Tracks help attendees find sessions that match their interests. Each listing includes a description, presenter bios, target audience, and experience level to support planning.

Sessions will cover timely topics like funding strategies for the disability rights movement, protecting independence in the age of surveillance technology, strengthening services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and so much more.

These interactive workshops emphasize practical strategies, collaboration, and real-world impact. Visit the conference website to explore the agenda.

We can’t wait to welcome you this July!

Image: National Council on Independent Living logo features a multi-colored fingerprint.

♿ Urge Assembly to pass Right to Wheelchair Repair Bill (A.6569)!On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Consumer Wheelchair R...
06/04/2026

♿ Urge Assembly to pass Right to Wheelchair Repair Bill (A.6569)!
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Consumer Wheelchair Repair Bill of Rights (A.6569-B/S.4500-B) unanimously, after hard work from the Independent Living community to move the bill forward. This bill would improve repair processes for wheelchair users by requiring wheelchair manufacturers to provide any documents and parts needed to consumers who want to perform repairs themselves. It also establishes a timeline repair providers must adhere to for timely wheelchair repairs, eliminates prior authorizations for repairs, and establishes oversight of repair processes.
In the Assembly, A.6569-B is stalled, and there are only two days left to pass it. The Assembly is holding the bill due to concerns from two large national repair providers, even though this is a consumer bill of rights. Being without functional mobility equipment can leave wheelchair users bed bound, at high risk for pressure sores and other life-threatening issues. When repairs do not happen in a timely manner, people lose the ability to engage meaningfully with their community, cutting them off from their job, family, friends, and medical care. Despite hearing from advocates who shared their firsthand experiences with repair delays, the Assembly has prioritized appeasing corporations instead of standing up for the well-being and independence of wheelchair users.

Disabled New Yorkers wait months for their wheelchairs to be repaired. The legislature shouldn't make us wait months for a solution too. Call Assembly Speaker Carl Heastier TODAY to tell him A.6569-B (Bores) must be passed!

To call Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: Call the Assembly switchboard at 518-455-4100 and ask for the Speaker's office.

 Rest in power Susan. 
06/03/2026

 Rest in power Susan. 

06/03/2026

Address

155 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY
12210

Telephone

+15184654650

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when New York Association on Independent Living posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to New York Association on Independent Living:

Shortcuts

Share