ILGR

Press Release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is inviting everyone to their Lunch in the Dark Fundraising event, on Thursday, April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It will take place in the gymnasium of the New York State School for the Blind, 2A Richmond Ave., Batavia, NY.

Participants will experience lunch in a darkened environment in order to better understand eating and socializing with vision loss.  As a group, we will talk about the best practices for making events with food more accessible, as well as strategies for eating with vision loss.  With a donation requested of $50 per ticket, the event includes a 50/50 split drawing and a Basket Raffle.

The BOCES Culinary class will do the catering with a menu including Italian Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable Medley (Carrots, Cauliflower, Broccoli), Risotto Cakes, and Panna Cotta.

To RSVP, contact Catherine DeMare at 585-815-8501, Ext. 400.

Corporate sponsorships are available at three levels: Gold ($750); Silver ($500) and Bronze ($250), with increasing benefits and degrees of promotion for the business as one goes up the levels.  Individual donations of any amount are accepted as well.  Full details are available from Rae Frank, ILGR Director, at 585-815-8501, Ext. 406.  All proceeds will assist in providing services and programs which offer independence, empowerment, and equality for individuals with disabilities in Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans Counties!

 

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is excited to announce our very first in-person event since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic! Join us in celebrating the 31^st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act with our 2nd Annual Walk, Run & Roll!

The event takes place Monday, July 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pavilion 2 of DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar St. in Batavia, rain or shine.

To register, go to runsignup.com/ilgrwalkrunroll.

For $25, participants can walk, run or roll the distance of their choosing. All participants receive an event T-shirt.

Food trucks will be present, plus a basket raffle, a 50/50 raffle and a caricature artist.

Please bring your own chair! COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

For more information, call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

Thanks to our sponsors: BW’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, United Refining Company, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, R.A. Haitz Co. Inc., Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, GEICO, Fidelis, National Grid and Ken Barrett Chevrolet-Cadillac.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

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You have the power to Stop The Spread! Together, we can protect our communities and stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Get vaccinated!

In the last year, we saved NYS taxpayers over $118 million by helping individuals leave or avoid institutionalization through practicing the principles of education, empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities.

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Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is excited to announce our very first in-person event since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic!  Join us in celebrating the 31^st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act with our Second Annual Walk, Run & Roll!

The event takes place Monday, July 26, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pavilion 2 of DeWitt Recreation Area, 115 Cedar St. in Batavia, rain or shine.

To register, go to runsignup.com/ilgrwalkrunroll.

For $25 participants can walk, run or roll the distance of their choosing. All participants receive an event T-shirt.

Food trucks will be present, plus a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle will take place.

Please bring your own chair! COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.

For more information, call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

Thanks to our sponsors: BW’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, United Refining Company, RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, and R.A. Haitz Co. Inc.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Holly McAllister as a Taking Control Consumer Administrator. 

The holder of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Food Service Administration from Erie Community College, McAllister has a range of office work experience: Clerk Typist in the Genesee County Health Department; Principal Financial Clerk for Genesee County; Guest Service Advisor-Leader on Duty for Petco in Batavia; Principal Clerk for Genesee Justice; and Secretary in the Genesee County Planning Department.

In this position she has a variety of responsibilities to coordinate, monitor, and enroll individuals as consumers/employers in the Taking Control program in the ILGR regional service area of Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, while promoting the expansion and positive impacts of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Service (CDPAS) within the region.

Asked to describe her feelings on beginning this new position, Holly whimsically quotes former Saturday Evening Post columnist Herm Albright, "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

ILGR is delighted that McAllister is bringing her experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Betesha Thompson to assist people with disabilities in the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County (GOW) Region as a Medicaid Application Assistance Program (MAAP) Facilitated Enroller. 

Thompson comes to ILGR after having gained experience as: a Heath Care Coordinator at East House in Rochester; a Children’s Behavior Health Service Provider at the Hillside Family of Agencies, also in Rochester; a Residential Living Specialist at Eagle Star Housing in East Pembroke; a Residential Advisor at Iroquois Job Care Center in Medina; and a Direct Support Professional at The Arc of Monroe in Rochester.

She holds a Regents Diploma from Albion High School.

Looking forward to assisting persons in need, Thompson says, "I intend to use all of my skills to make sure every individual I work with has that person-centered experience."

In this position, she will assist individuals who are over 65 years of age, legally blind, or receiving Social Security Disability in applying for Medicaid insurance by determining the type of Medicaid coverage that is best for them. She can even assist in completing the application and collecting necessary documentation to submit with the Medicaid application.

Additionally, she will conduct outreach activities to educate, engage and enroll qualified individuals who live in the GOW Region.

ILGR is delighted that Thompson is bringing her vast experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.

ILGR offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) welcomes Kara Beth Baker to assist people with disabilities in the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming county (GOW) region as a New York Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist.  

Baker brings 22 years of experience in counseling and accessibility, including: Counselor/Case Manager with the Salvation Army Men’s Rehabilitation Center in Buffalo; Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Assistant at Attica Correctional Facility; Residential Habilitation Trainer at Heritage Centers in Alden; Crisis Counselor at Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia; and a 504 Assistant (dealing with Federal disability access) and Board Member at Bethel Elementary School in Bethel, Vermont.

Baker completed a Master Life Coach Certification Program with the Transformation Academy; holds a Certification in Peer Recovery and Ethics from Recovery University of the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; plus completed additional coursework and trainings at Liberty University, Cazenovia College, the University of Vermont, and Life Space Crisis Intervention Inc.

In her new role, Baker will connect people with disabilities and their families to needed home and community-based supports and services, as well as facilitate access to public benefits," says Baker. “I intend to use my skills and abilities to offer helpful solutions, and to help consumers help themselves. I intend to focus on the individuals’ specific needs in order to help them best navigate their journey."

ILGR is delighted that Kara Beth Baker is bringing her vast experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Submitted photo and press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) welcomes Kahlil Simon into his new position as a Housing Specialist.

In this role, he will assist individuals to apply for, and navigate, the programs and services offered through ILGR, including, coordinating housing evaluations for persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, household budget counseling, employment advocacy, home environmental accessibility consultation, as well as serving as a liaison with landlords.

Prior to this promotion, Kahlil Simon served ILGR as a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Peer Specialist, where he earned a New York Peer Specialist Provisional Certification.

Before his coming to the Agency, he had worked as an Imaging Services Secretary at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, where he was recognized with an Exemplary Service Award. During his tenure at the Medical Center, Simon was inspired to seek work that was more community service-oriented, ultimately obtaining employment with ILGR. 

About his new position, he says, “Here at ILGR, it’s my goal to provide a service to the members of our communities that are in need of assistance, while upholding the high standards of this organization.”

Simon attended Genesee Community College in Batavia after moving to the area from Brooklyn.

ILGR is delighted that Kahlil Simon will continue to serve the disability community in this new position.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, every educated voter is critical to our community. To support this, for the 40^th consecutive year, The Western New York Independent Living Family of Agencies (WNYIL) is giving voters with, and without, disabilities the opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, officials running in the Nov. 3^rd General Election at their Annual Meet the Candidates Days. 

WNYIL, being committed to the voice of persons with disabilities, especially within the challenges of this pandemic, is moving the event virtually this year to continue to offer this important forum. 

With individual campaigning at a minimum this year, this gives voters the chance to hear from officials running for several different offices.

Candidates running for local, state, and federal office will be given the opportunity to talk to, and hear from, constituents via our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/WNYIL.

Already scheduled to appear include candidates running for Congress, NY State Senate, NY State Assembly, as well as several candidates running for local offices. WNYIL Chief Policy Officer, Todd Vaarwerk, points out that “even during the pandemic, legislators will still make decisions about the things that matter to persons with disabilities. Meet the Candidates allows them to know, directly from potential constituents, how important those decisions are.”

The New York State and Federal races Meet the Candidates Day will be Tuesday, Oct. 27^th from 1 to 4 p.m. The local races (Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties) Meet the Candidates Day will be Friday, Oct. 30^th from 1 to 4 p.m. Both can be accessed at WNYIL’s YouTube channel.

For those without internet access who want to listen to Meet the Candidates, call 1-425-436-6200, Access Code 595227.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is holding their debut Walk, Run and Roll 5K or 10K All-inclusive Virtual Race for people of all abilities.

People with disabilities as well as the public will have the opportunity to compete side-by-side in an on-line event that will not discriminate based on disability. This fully accessible activity will permit competitors to pick the “course” of their choice any time between Oct. 18^th to 31^st.

Within the race itself, participants will have the secondary opportunity to engage in a Visual and Auditory Scavenger Hunt, where participants are challenged to locate particular sights and sounds of nature, city life, and Halloween decorations in a unique feature to the “race."

You can sign up in the Event section of ILGR’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/ILGR14020; or click here.

Entrance fee is $25, and includes an event t-shirt. For more information call Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.

ILGR is grateful to our sponsors: Gold Level Sponsor Molina Healthcare; R.A. Haitz Company Roofing and Siding; and 139^th District New York Assembly Member Steven Hawley.

Press release:

Independence Express, the transportation branch of Western New York Independent Living Inc., will provide free van rides to people with disabilities living in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties who need a ride to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3^rd).

Or, if you would prefer to cast your vote prior to Election Day, you can get a ride to a designated early voting site in your county during its limited hours of operation between Oct. 24^th and Nov. 1^st.

In addition, Independence Express will also deliver ballots for anyone, with or without disabilities, to their respective Board of Elections in our five-county service area.

Independence Express has wheelchair-accessible vehicles for those with mobility challenges, if needed. While we can’t help anyone up or down stairs, we can take people to their voting place and then back home or to work, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

If you are a person with a disability and would like the free service offered by Independence Express, please email transportation@wnyil.org with “Election Day” in the subject, and providing this information:

• The rider’s name;
• Address;
• Phone number;
• If rider uses a wheelchair or if rider is ambulatory;
• The name and address of the polling place;
• If anyone is going with the rider, such as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA);
• And lastly, the rider's first choice of the time to go to the polls.

Alternately, one may call Christian at (716) 836-0822, ext. 108, to set up a ride. If there is high demand at times, requests will be honored on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Please give at least two days’ notice to ensure your ride.

Voting is your right – and we can help you exercise it!

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region begins limited reopening today.

In mid-March, human service agencies were among the many facilities that New York State required to close their doors to prevent people from gathering and thereby stem the spread of COVID-19.

While they have continued to serve people with disabilities by phone, email and the Internet, now that the State has entered Phase Four, the Batavia and Warsaw, New York offices of Independent Living of the Genesee Region have reopened on a limited basis, observing strict rules for everyone’s safety:

• Consumers wishing to meet face-to-face with a service provider must first make an appointment, and complete a screening questionnaire over the phone, the day before the appointment. If they do not have face coverings to bring with them, inform the staff at this time, so one can be obtained (if available), or the appointment can be rescheduled for a date when they can bring one. If the staff member cannot be reached by phone, they should not come in, to avoid an unnecessary trip.
• On arrival, if the answers to four short screening questions are acceptable, they are to use hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water and take a seat in the waiting area until a staff member escorts them to a private, sanitized meeting room. If the answers are not acceptable, they will be asked to reschedule and contact their medical provider.
• Consumers are asked to maintain a six-foot social distance, and refrain from hugging, shaking hands, fist bumping or other physical contact.
• On departure, consumers should, again, use hand sanitizer or wash with soap and water.
• If a staff member fails to follow these protocols, consumers can alert the Human Resources Department or the staff person’s supervisor.

If you need your services provider’s phone number, you can call (585) 815-8501, and dial “9” to access the Dial-by-Name directory, or call the receptionist at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400, during business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Batavia, the ILGR office is located at 319 W. Main St.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies (WNYIL) will be holding its 40^th Annual Meeting of members, consumers, staff, and other friends of the Agency on June 9 – and wants to do something new and exciting.

For years, WNYIL has honored an individual and a company, each of which has made an outstanding contribution to activities benefitting the community of citizens with disabilities in the preceding year. Previously, Agency staff have discussed candidates internally and reached a consensus; but, for this landmark anniversary, we are offering YOU an opportunity to nominate people and corporations that meet the following criteria – but your responses are needed by May 15. Here are the awards:

Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award: This award is given to an individual who personally and/or professionally supports, promotes and embraces the Independent Living philosophy throughout the community.

Corporate Support Award: An award given to a company that supports WNYIL and promotes and embraces the Independent Living philosophy throughout the community. Some honorees from prior years include: the Northtown Automotive Companies; Main Mobility; Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel LLP (now part of Bond, Schoeneck and King PLLC); the University Heights Arts Association;and Zajac Funeral Home Inc.

In case you wondered, the Independent Living (IL) philosophy is the belief that the person who has a disability is the best expert on her/his needs and should be empowered to make the final decision on personal services and solutions, and must be heard in issues of systemic advocacy. It is the product of the Independent Living civil rights movement of citizens with disabilities that began in the 1960s, and has spawned hundreds of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) nationwide, including one in Genesee County on West Main Street in Batavia.

If you are aware of an individual and/or a company which has served those with disabilities, please contact Daniel Colpoys, WNYIL’s Chief Community Engagement officer at (716) 836-0822, ext. 166; or email him with the nominee’s name, a paragraph about his/her/its qualifications and contact information, as well as YOUR name and contact information, to dcolpoys@wnyil.org.

Thank you for your willingness to help acknowledge deserving members of our community!

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Once again, this year, the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Family of Agencies (WNYIL) is gathering nominations of members of the disability community who have made ongoing, significant contributions, such as support, assistance and inspiration to others.

What is different is that the accolade has been renamed the Anthony Serra Independent Citizen Award to honor WNYIL's first executive director, who passed away in September.

The winner, selected from nominations made by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 17 will be feted at the Seventh Annual “Night for Independence" Gala on Saturday May 16, at the Events at the Wurlitzer, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.

Ideally, the nominee should meet the five core values of this award: 

• Exemplifying independence in the community, such as: by beginning a special project; by spearheading an awareness effort; or by gaining the support of decision-makers, for the benefit of others with disabilities or the general community.
• Going above and beyond what would be expected to assist others, by offering personal experience or expertise, organizing individuals around an issue, enlisting partnerships, and/or revealing self-sacrificing work.
• Remaining active in the community over an extended period, even after an initial success with an activity or major project. 
• Rejecting others’ criticism or doubt, that potentially could have deterred the individual from striving to reach and achieve personal goals. 
• Showing the world the value of one person’s actions by encouraging others to have a contributing, encouraging, and positive attitude about making the community a better place for all. 

If you are aware of an individual who has served those with disabilities, and who, you feel, would meet all these criteria, please contact Daniel Colpoys, WNYIL’s chief community engagement officer at (716) 836-0822, ext. 166; or email him with the candidate’s name, a paragraph about his/her qualifications and contact information, as well as YOUR name and contact information, to dcolpoys@wnyil.org.

Thank you for your willingness to help acknowledge deserving members of our community!

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Issues of housing instability, maintaining gainful employment, and obtaining needed healthcare are not limited to large metropolitan areas, they can occur to people living anywhere.

With this in mind, Batavia’s premier advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) plus the Homeless Alliance of WNY (HAWNY), working with other community organizations, will be available to those in need in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties as part of Project Connect on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Join us for a FREE hot meal, with access to local available resources to assist with housing, employment, healthcare, and other needs.

In Genesee County, they will cap off a rather full day by offering the hot meal and information from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Salvation Army, 529 E. Main St., Batavia.

Signing up for a session in advance is encouraged but NOT REQUIRED. For more information or to register, please contact: Amber Mesita at (585) 815-8501, ext. 417, or email her at amesita@wnyil.org

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

For the last several years, Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL) and dozens of other community organizations have been celebrating the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The logo that we've been using has changed very little, but as this July 26^th will be its 30th anniversary, and there are other ADA celebrations and Disability Pride events across the country, we wanted something special and unique to Western New York to promote our annual Disability Pride Parade and Festival.

Creativity in service of the disability community will be rewarded, too!

For this year, the Disability Pride Planning Committee is seeking submissions of original designs for a 30-year logo, to promote the event before it comes to Canalside in Buffalo – and is even willing to pay.

The creator of the winning logo will receive a $100 prize – but it must be received by March 1 so it can be judged and then used in publicity leading up to the big event.

The logo contest entries should be emailed to: Daniel Colpoys, chief community engagement officer at WNYIL, at dcolpoys@wnyil.org. Any questions can be directed to Colpoys at 716-836-0822, ext. 166.

All designs will be considered, but those that capture the theme of Disability Pride and the ADA, will be given special consideration.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

In Batavia, WNYIL operates as Independent Living of the Genesee Region, with an office 319 W. Main St. Phone is (585) 815-8501, ext. 400 (Voice / TTD). Weekday office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agency serves people with disabilities in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.

Press release:

Are you currently unemployed and subsisting on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but are considering seeking employment and could use some assistance? This may be just the opportunity that you're looking for!

Batavia’s premier consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is holding a FREE Ticket To Work Program and Benefits Advisement Information Session at the ILGR office in the Crickler Executive Business Center, at 319 W. Main St., (the former Pepsi Distribution Building) Batavia.

It will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 10; light refreshments will be provided.

Offered through the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), the Ticket to Work (TTW) program is a free and voluntary program that can help Social Security beneficiaries go to work, get a good job that may lead to a career, and become financially independent, all while they keep their Medicare or Medicaid.

Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are age 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program. TTW offers participants with disabilities access to meaningful employment with the assistance of Ticket to Work employment service providers called Employment Networks (EN). It may be a good fit for you if you want to improve your earning potential and are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workplace.

For more information or to register, please contact: Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411, or email her at dbecker@wnyil.org.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.