Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc.

04/10/2026

Rock on, Jose!

José Hernandez, our Advocacy and Policy Associate and a consumer who utilizes the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), joined Independent Living Centers from New York City and fellow advocates in opposing City Council Bill Intro 303. This bill, if passed, would penalize agencies for providing home care hours in excess of 12 hours per day—essentially eliminating 24-hour live-in shifts. While this may seem like a positive step in theory, Intro 303 fails to address authorization issues and the lack of additional funding from New York State. This support is vital for individuals who are currently authorized, or will be authorized, for 24-hour live-in services to live safe and independent lives in the community.

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Alt Text: "In the foreground, José Hernandez, Advocacy and Policy Associate for the New York Association on Independent Living, stands before a crowd. Behind him, people with disabilities in wheelchairs hold signs reading, 'Don’t Pit Workers against Disabled New Yorkers' and 'Oppose Intro 303.' In the background, a row of individuals stands on the steps of City Hall holding signs for 'The Legal Aid Society.'"

04/10/2026

As always, LCL is spot-on!

Director of Engagement Lawrence Carter-Long reflects on "What Awards Culture Gets Wrong about Disability, Effort, and Authenticity" in the latest issue of Able News

Read Online 📰 https://zurl.co/05IUo

[Image Description: Black and orange graphic with a headshot of Lawrence Carter-Long and his quote in Able News: "In real life, disability is more than a two-hour lesson in courage with a string section soundtrack. To folks livin’ it, disability is more about logistics and language. Bureaucracy and improvisation. Access and denial. Community and conflict."]

04/10/2026

Advocacy is essential to advancing disability rights and equal opportunity.

Independent Living Centers work with communities to promote policies that support independence and accessibility.

Learn more about advocacy efforts: https://ilny.us/advocacy
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Alt Text: “Several people sit at round tables in conversation during a community meeting focused on advocacy and collaboration.”

03/20/2026

PROTECT THE PROMISE: ACA 30-MINUTE RAPID
ACTION
MONDAY, MARCH 23--1:00 pm VIRTUAL
NYS must act now to protect health insurance for 480,000 New Yorkers who could lose coverage as soon as July 1, 2026. Join us to take action and protect care.

Join us for a quick, 30-minute virtual event to mark the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by taking action to protect health coverage. NYS must act now to protect health insurance for 480,000 New Yorkers who could lose coverage as soon as July 1, 2026. Join us to take action and protect health...

03/19/2026

Because of your advocacy, the Assembly and Senate have shown support for ILCs in their One-House Budgets.
The Assembly’s proposal funds ILCs at $17.5 million. This restores the legislative add of $750,000 from last budget, and adds an additional $750,000!
The Senate’s proposal restores the $750,000 legislative add from last year, and adds ILCs to the Targeted Inflationary Increase, which they propose at 4%.
We need you to tell your legislators that both a funding increase and inclusion in the Targeted Inflationary Increase is needed. Call your legislators and ask them to keep supporting ILCs today!
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/AGoZHOQmDsDH6JIfwB-5lw : A teal background frames a white square that looks like a pinned note, held in place by a bright yellow paperclip graphic in the top-left corner. Inside the square, bold text reads **“ACTION ALERT – Your voice matters.”** Below it, supportive messaging encourages people to stand with the disability rights and Independent Living movement and to share the alert widely. A small organizational logo appears in the bottom-right corner, and a link to learn more is included at the bottom.

02/11/2026

Preserving ADA Parking Community Conversation - The Policy Challenge Spreading Across States

The National Council on Independent Living and United Spinal Association are coming together for a community conversation and educational meeting on what people with disabilities, allies, and community members can do to protect disability rights and access to accessible parking.

Several states across the country are considering or have passed legislation that would allow anyone who is pregnant to use ADA designated parking spaces for a full year regardless of whether their pregnancy has impacted their mobility.

This meeting will explain what’s happening, why it matters, and how we can work collectively to educate our local communities and to ensure that people with disabilities continue to have access to accessible parking spaces.

Date: February 17, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Registration: https://bit.ly/3Mpq7l7

ASL and Cart will be provided. Please reach out to NCIL Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at [email protected] if you have any questions or accommodation requests.

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Preserving ADA Parking: The Policy Challenge Spreading Across the States. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

01/13/2026

Via NPR: 35 years after ADA, people with disabilities still find hotels unaccommodating

An NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

01/08/2026

Talk is Cheap; Healthcare isn't! Stop the Healthcare Heist
Emergency Week of Action--January 6-15
https://economicsecurity.us/campaign/healthcare-heist/
Congress must pass an extension of the ACA premium tax credits and make health insurance more affordable for tens of millions of people.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is forcing a vote on an extension of the ACA premium tax credits; the vote is expected on Thursday, January 8.

If Congress fails to act, tens of millions of people will see skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs.

12/15/2025

Participants needed for Disability research conducted by Hofstra PhD Candidate:
This current study will explore how factors such as microaggressions, social support, and pride affect awareness, acceptance, and assertiveness within the disability community. This study aims to expand on previous research by exploring the interconnected relationships between these factors. For completing this survey, the first 100 participants will have the opportunity to enter an email address for a $10 gift card. If anyone has any questions or requires any accommodations for completing this survey, please contact [email protected].

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

12/11/2025

Action Alert: New Yorkers’ healthcare is under attack by Republicans in Congress, and corporate interests here in New York are both threatening the care that millions of us rely on. But together, we are fighting back.
Demand Congress stop premium increases and protect affordability
President Trump and the Republican majority have pushed budgets that rip away affordable coverage from millions by slashing Medicaid and gutting the Affordable Care Act — all to fund trillions in tax breaks for billionaires, greedy CEOs, and price-gouging corporations.
And this week, things get even worse unless we act:
- If Congress doesn’t extend ACA premium subsidies, health insurance premiums will jump 30% on average — the biggest increase since 2017.
- Even employer plans will become more expensive or offer fewer benefits.
Call Congress now and demand they extend ACA subsidies so families can stay covered: citizenactionny.org/callcongress/

Once you’ve taken action, can you forward this email to 5 friends or share this post on Facebook?