From the Desk of
Joe Bravo,
Executive Director

This past June, New York State's Senate and Assembly each unanimously passed Medicaid reform legislation that we at Independent Living Centers around the state can applaud. And, we are applauding with gusto!!

Both bodies of the state legislature passed bills that would create a Nursing Facilities Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver Program. Once signed into law by Governor Pataki, this legislation will create a new Medicaid Waiver in NYS, modeled after the current waiver for people with traumatic brain injury, that will allow people with disabilities who currently live in nursing homes to live in less restrictive settings, if they so choose; for example, their own homes. Thousands of others will never be forced to give up their independence by becoming nursing home "inmates" if they become disabled due to accident or illness.

So much advocacy went into getting our legislators to see the light and pass this reform. But there is a long road yet to travel and we will need your help. You see, the real barrier to freeing our people from their nursing home prisons is the scarcity of affordable, accessible housing.

In this issue of The WILC Wire, you will read about our expanded efforts to recruit volunteer advocates for systems change. Join us. Contact your Assembly and Senate representatives and thank them for passing this waiver that is so critical to the lives of thousands of New Yorkers with disabilities. And, demand that they address the issue of affordable, accessible housing so that the new bill can deliver on its promise of providing real opportunities for community integration.

WILC's Systems Advocacy Team Needs You!

WILC's Systems Advocacy Team (SAT) is part of a statewide network of dedicated professional and volunteer advocates. These advocates work to advance equal access and opportunities for people with disabilities by promoting systems change at the local and state level. Established in 2001, the team works in a coordinated fashion as a force for change that will have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities in Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley region. The recent passage in both houses of our state legislature of a new Medicaid Waiver for people with disabilities is but one example of SAT's effectiveness.

Four core activities define our SAT operations. These activities include: 1) working to maximize the impact of the disability vote on Election Day; 2) working with local media to increase public awareness and coverage of issues that affect people with disabilities; 3) increasing the number of trained volunteer advocates; and 4) becoming active in the legislative process by attending legislative hearings and statewide conferences, establishing relationships with state legislators, and responding to Action Alerts. .

With a Presidential election on the horizon and many issues affecting the disability community hanging in the balance, we are looking to expand our army of advocates and WE NEED YOU! Your level of involvement can be limited to making phone calls and/or sending Emails in response to Action Alerts (Action Alert Volunteers). Or, if you want to play an even bigger role, you can join other advocates who attend meetings and conferences (Advocacy Volunteers). Either way, you will learn more about issues and policies affecting the disability community and play an important role in furthering the civil rights of people with disabilities.

For more information or to join SAT, call Lisa Tarricone at 914-682-3926, ext. 112.