October marks Healthcare Quality Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of safe, effective, and person-centered care. For people with disabilities, quality healthcare isn’t just about a doctor’s visit; it’s about access, communication, advocacy, and addressing the social factors that shape overall health. To explore these issues more deeply, we sat down with two […]
Healthcare Quality and Disability: A Conversation with WILC Experts
Back to School with Confidence: Expert Advice for Parents of Students with Disabilities
As a new school year approaches, many parents of children with disabilities find themselves asking: Is my child ready? There’s a lot to consider when preparing for a smooth, independent transition back to school. At the Westchester Independent Living Center, our team works year-round to support families in building confidence, skills, and independence for students […]
Batter’s Intervention Program
The Batter’s Intervention Program offers guidance to individuals that have been violent in their relationships. The curriculum helps individuals understand what is behind their abuse and how to change. Contact Gichel Walters, Director Minority Outreach and Re-Entry Programs, gwalters@wilc.org or call 914-682-3926 (voice), 914-259-8036 (VP).
The 2025 WILC Disability Pride Art Showcase
Welcome to the WILC 2025 Disability Pride Month Art Showcase celebrates the powerful voices, creativity, and resilience of individuals with disabilities in our community. Each piece a reflection of lived experience, and self-expression. Read Our Previous Blog: Art Without Limits: Celebrating Disability Through Creative Expression Join our Disability Pride Virtual Poetry Slam July 30: Voices […]
1formtest
Art Without Limits: Celebrating Disability Through Creative Expression
Creativity knows no bounds—more than just an outlet, it can be a form of communication, healing, self-determination, and advocacy. For many people with disabilities, art is a way to tell stories the world doesn’t always stop to hear. As a community at Westchester Independent Living Center, we know that self-expression through the arts is a […]
Resource Guide: At-Home Activities for Students with Autism
Looking for engaging, sensory-friendly, and skill-building activities for your child with autism? WILC has curated a free downloadable resource packed with 20+ pages of fun and purposeful at-home options—from classic board games and calming sensory ideas to screen-based favorites like Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and educational apps like Zoombinis. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, […]
Beyond the Ramp: What Accessibility Really Means in 2025
At Westchester Independent Living Center, accessibility is more than a concept—it’s a lived reality, a daily mission, and a call to action. “Accessibility removes barriers and unlocks the possible.” That’s the rallying call behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)—a global initiative to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion. For GAAD, […]
WILC Joins Call to Protect Medicaid Access in New York
On Wednesday, April 17, Westchester Independent Living Center joined elected officials, community advocates, and partner organizations in speaking out against proposed federal changes that could significantly impact Medicaid funding and access across New York. The event, held at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Havershaw, featured remarks from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who warned […]
From a Parent’s Heart: Honest Reflections on Raising Autistic Children from WILC/PILS Team Members
April is Autism Awareness Month—a time to elevate understanding and celebrate neurodiversity. At WILC and PILS, some of our team members bring not only professional expertise, but personal experience as parents of autistic children. Here, they share heartfelt reflections on what parenting on the spectrum has taught them. To explore upcoming programs, workshops, and helpful […]
ACTION ALERT: Ask Secretary Kennedy and Congress to Protect ACL Programs
We need your help to protect vital services for people with disabilities and older adults. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) was created in response to the disability community’s efforts to improve services and supports, mitigate fragmentation, and increase coordination between programs. Now, efforts to dismantle ACL could undermine these critical services, putting many at […]
Accessibility in Love: Romance and the Realities of Living with a Disability
Love is universal, but people with disabilities are often left out of conversations about love, intimacy and relationships. The truth is, people with disabilities experience love, intimacy, and romance just like anyone else—but the lack of visibility and inclusion around these topics perpetuates harmful stereotypes, while societal stigmas often add barriers to an already complex […]
Disability and Poverty: Breaking the Cycle Through Advocacy and Opportunity
January is Poverty Awareness Month, an important opportunity to spotlight the often-overlooked intersection of poverty and disability. For individuals with disabilities, the cycle of poverty is a dual challenge—both a cause and a consequence of systemic exclusion, limited resources, and barriers to education and employment. As a peer-driven, community-based organization that empowers people with disabilities […]
Sensory Dysregulation and the Holidays
By: Fiona Rattray, PTIC Information Specialist for Putnam Independent Living Services Have you ever been kept awake at night by a pesky bug bite that won’t stop itching, no matter what you do? You get up, you apply lotion, you walk around, you try everything you can to mitigate that nagging, infernal itch – we’ve […]
Thankful Together: Notes of Gratitude from the WILC and PILS Team
As Thanksgiving approaches, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible dedication, compassion, and teamwork that make WILC and PILS so special. Our staff members shared their heartfelt thoughts on what they’re most thankful for, and their words beautifully capture the spirit of our mission and the community we serve. Here’s what they had […]
Accessible Voting in Westchester: Your Rights and Resources FAQ with WILC’s ADA Specialist Michael Hellman
With Election Day approaching, it’s crucial that all voters, including those with disabilities, are empowered to exercise their right to vote independently and privately. Michael Hellman, WILC’s ADA Specialist, has shared essential information to ensure a smooth voting experience for voters with disabilities. Below is a guide covering your rights, available accommodations, and key contacts […]
Creating Inclusive Workplaces: Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to highlight the invaluable contributions that workers with disabilities bring to businesses, while also raising awareness of the barriers they often face in the workplace. As companies today continue to focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), it’s crucial to ensure that these efforts fully […]
WILC’s Guide to Supporting the Paris 2024 Paralympics
This month, the 2024 Paris Paralympics will commence, presenting an opportunity for the world’s top disabled athletes to compete alongside their peers and showcase their skills on an international platform. From August 28th to September 8th, the games will feature events throughout the historic city of Paris, including iconic locations such as Place de la […]
Westchester Independent Living Center 2024 Art Showcase
The WILC 2024 Disability Pride Month Art Showcase celebrates the creativity and resilience of our community members with disabilities. This vibrant exhibition features an inspiring collection of visual and written artworks submitted by individuals within the WILC community. Be a part of our community! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn) […]
4 Things WILC is Celebrating about Disability Pride 2024, with Sylvia Cusack
According to the Westchester County Department of Health, approximately 20% (nearly 200,000) people in Westchester County live with a disability. As we celebrate Disability Pride Month at Westchester Independent Living Center, we recognize the significance of this month and its impact on fostering a more inclusive society. Disability Pride Month is a time to honor […]