Independent Living of the Genesee Region held a fundraiser at Batavia Country Club yesterday, A Taste of Independence.
More than a dozen businesses participated, among them Red Osier, T.F. Brown's, Amber Lantern and D&R Depot.
Independent Living provides assistance to people with permanent or temporary disabilities and funds raised through the event will be used to support those services.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will be holding a pair of focus groups on the concerns of LGBTQ individuals with disabilities.
Have your voice heard! This is a call for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) and living with a disability (i.e. physical, sensory, mental health, or co-occurring disability) to take part in a focus group and to be heard about current services, programs -- or lack of services -- to help define your needs as a person with a disability living in our communities.
Besides taking a step to have truly appropriate services considered, participants will receive a light meal on the day of the focus group. The first group will meet beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, for a maximum of two to three hours, at the ILGR office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, just west of Center Street, in Batavia. Materials will be offered in accessible formats, if needed.
Space is limited to 20 people and the first LGBTQ individuals to apply will participate. Please register soon! The second focus group will be scheduled subsequent to the first as need be.
For more information, and to sign up, call Donna Becker, at (858) 815-8501, ext. 411,* or email dbecker@wnyil.org with the subject line of “Focus Group." Please RSVP by Oct. 14. We look forward to your feedback to help us learn the services you are receiving and/or need.
The Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies offers an expanding array of inclusive and affirming services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
*This is the correct extension; the original press release provided by the agency included the wrong extension number and it subsequently asked for the correction.
Press release:
Batavia’s premier consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), is “art partnering for the disabled” with the University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists in North Buffalo with a commitment to community that places art in businesses and nonprofits through an established Art Partnering program.
Having the stated purpose of showing that “art is for everyone irrespective of disability”, the groups’ “ARTiculations Ability Exhibitions promote the inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities into the rich network of exhibitions offered throughout Western New York."
The program provides opportunities for artists with disabilities living in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties to enter works for jurying (judging), which meet criteria such as medium, framing, size, wall-hanging hardware, etc. Those accepted will be displayed in ILGR’s office at 113 Main St., Suite 5, in Batavia, in quarterly solo and group exhibitions.
If they wish, artists can offer the works for sale at the end of the exhibition, and retain all proceeds, but they are not required to sell their works to participate. Neither of the sponsoring organizations will be charging the artists to enter.
Artists must email photographs of at least three different artworks to fineart@uhartsgroup.com to be considered; dates and times will be arranged for the accepted works to be dropped off, and then retrieved after the exhibition closes.
Artists will be welcome to participate in an annual reception at ILGR for all the ARTiculations Ability Exhibitions that have taken place that year. For more information, or to request a prospectus with the criteria and an entry form, call Donna at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is delighted to have played a role in replacing a portion of a residential roof whose leaks had caused heavy damage to the home’s kitchen, its furnishings, floor and electrical system, and created a mold problem.
The potential ultimate consequence could have been the collapse of that part of the home. Wishing to remain anonymous, both the husband, a military veteran, and his wife, who volunteers at ILGR, have disabilities that prevent their working, and left them without means to repair it themselves.
The couple had sought assistance from various programs, without being able to qualify for them. But ILGR staff connected them to the Community Impact Grant Program (CIGP) of the Home Depot Foundation, which helps improve existing homes or buildings, with the involvement of an IRS-registered tax-exempt public service organization, and with the actual work to be done by volunteers from the community.
Once they were approved in December, the Foundation provided a $2,000 gift card, which purchased materials for the highest priority repair, the roof, to stop the leaks and ongoing damage, and also some electrical wiring. The “sweat equity” was provided by relatives and friends of the family who had some skills in home building, and recently completed the roof work.
The family is looking into used cabinets and kitchen furnishings, and is saving up their limited funds for work on the next priorities, repairing the damaged floor and electrical system, and remediation of the mold. They are very grateful for the kindness of the Home Depot Foundation, the support of friends, and the initiative of the staff at ILGR, which enabled them to have a home that is becoming increasingly livable.
Press release:
Batavia’s premier consumer-run human service and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will hold an ADA Picnic to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Open to the general public, and offering FREE food, fun, and games, the event will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, at Kiwanis Park, 3808 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.
To ensure that we have enough, if you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Donna Becker at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411.
At the time the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed in 1990, a patchwork of laws existed to protect the civil rights of citizens with disabilities only in certain situations, such as access to airports, fairness in housing, and non-discrimination by federally funded institutions.
The ADA broadly bars disability-based discrimination in employment, telecommunications, by state and local governments, in places of public accommodation such as stores, restaurants, banks, theaters, hotels, and stadia, among other protections. This has made it the single most important body of law for a particular population, the disability community, since the protections for racial and ethnic minorities and women of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which inspired some of the ADA’s provisions.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region will be holding a series of FREE Chronic Disease Self-Management workshops for the community beginning June 20th.
Those who attend will be shown practical steps to gain control of their daily health concerns. Participants will learn about healthy eating, problem-solving, action plans, medications, weight management, physical activity, sleep, and relationship communication skills.
The workshop information is relevant for those experiencing chronic conditions such as: Arthritis, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, and Eating Disorders. The workshops are taking place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia, over six Mondays, but skipping the Independence Day holiday.
The actual dates are June 20th and 27th; July 11th, 18th and 25th; and Aug. 1st.
Registration priority is given to Medicaid recipients, but Medicaid eligibility is NOT required for attendance. Pre-registration IS required. You can receive more information, and sign up for the workshops by contacting Patricia McAllister at pmcallister@wnyil.org or (585) 815-8501, ext. 402. Again, please be sure to RSVP if you are interested!
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) has announced that the overwhelming success of its "Medicaid 101" introductory seminars in May, and public demand for more, has prompted the Agency to hold additional sessions, monthly, from June to October.
Once again, the general public is invited to attend any of the FREE hour-long seminars on the benefits, requirements and application procedures for health care assistance for low-income individuals from New York State Medicaid.
The classes will take place from 2 to 3 p.m., on the first Tuesday of the month at ILGR’s office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia, starting June 7th.
Those interested can receive more information, get a Resource Packet with Medicaid materials, and sign up for the seminars by calling David Dodge at (585) 815-8501, ext. 415. But please be sure to RSVP if you are interested! If no one signs up for a particular month’s seminar in advance, it will be cancelled!
The instructor, ILGR facilitated enroller David Dodge, has described the seminars: “Medicaid 101 will be a presentation designed to help the community better understand Medicaid and the benefits that come with Medicaid coverage. In addition, our Medicaid Application Assistance Program (MAAP) will be discussed, so participants can be informed about the option to have someone assist them with their application should they choose to apply.
“This would also be an opportunity for folks to schedule an appointment with me. However, we would not be providing actual Medicaid application assistance at this event, due to its public nature and our HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) government-mandated privacy obligations.”
Press release:
Anyone who is dealing with the pain of a loved one’s passing, or other heartaches, is welcome to attend any of eight FREE grief and loss support groups to be held at Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), starting June 7th.
They will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the next four months, at ILGR’s offices at 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia. The precise dates are: June 7th and 21st, July 5th and 19th, Aug. 2nd and 16th, and Sept. 6th and 20th.
Group facilitator David Dodge described its purpose and structure: “This group is an opportunity for members to discuss what they are currently experiencing, relating to grief and loss, in order to feel a sense of increased support. We will also be doing some activities in order to get participants to do self-reflection related to what they are thinking or feeling.”
Participants are requested to register, beforehand. To do so or get more information, please call David Dodge at (585) 815-8501, ext. 415.
Press release:
The general public is invited to attend any of four FREE hour-long seminars on the benefits, requirements and application procedures for health care assistance for low-income individuals from New York State Medicaid.
Dubbed “Medicaid 101,” they will take place from 2 to 3 p.m., and 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 24, at Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia.
The instructor, ILGR Facilitated Enroller David Dodge, describes the seminars: “Medicaid 101 will be a presentation designed to help the community better understand Medicaid and the benefits that come with Medicaid coverage. In addition, our Medicaid Application Assistance Program (MAAP) will be discussed, so participants can be informed about the option to have someone assist them with their application should they choose to apply.
“This would also be an opportunity for folks to schedule an appointment with me. However, we would not be providing actual Medicaid application assistance at this event due to its public nature and our HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) government-mandated privacy obligations.”
Those interested can receive more information, get a Resource Packet with Medicaid materials, and sign up for the seminars by calling David Dodge at (585) 815-8501, ext. 415.
From our news partner WBTA:
A bomb threat was e-mailed this morning to Independent Living of Genesee Region, according to Rae Frank, director of the Batavia location at 113 Main St. downtown.
It is not clear, Frank said, whether the threat was intended for the Buffalo office or the Batavia office, or both, but as a precaution staff was told within the past hour to leave for the day and Batavia PD was alerted.
The person who made the threat allegedly has a history of complaints with the nonprofit agency.
Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR) is a multicultural, grassroots, peer-directed, civil rights organization that provides a full range of assistance, programs and services to enhance the quality of life for all individuals with disabilities. "ILGR assists persons with disabilities to realize their life choices through information and referral, independent living skills, community and systems advocacy and peer counseling."
It provides: adaptive aids/equipment, advocacy, benefits advisement, counseling/support groups, health insurance information, information & referral, library of disabilities, independent living skills instruction, community disability education.
UPDATE 11:29 a.m.: David Boyce, CEO of the building's owner Tompkins Insurance Co., said the agency's staff on the second floor was also evacuated as a precautionary measure. He said police indicated they do not believe there is an imminent threat.
UPDATE 11:41 a.m.: The "indirect threat" was made by an employee recently let go from the Buffalo office of Independent Living and the person has no known ties to Genesee County, said Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis. "We've checked the (Batavia) building and we've found nothing," Davis said. Adjacent businesses were notified of the situation and any decision to evacuate staff was their option. A bomb-sniffing dog from State Police Troop A is en route to go through the building and if nothing is found, officers will give the all clear.
UPDATE 11:59 p.m.: State Police and their bombing-sniffing dog just completed a sweep of the building and found nothing. The building is clear and police are clearing the scene.
Join the Batavia Multiple Sclerosis Support Group to connect with other people affected by MS and learn more about services offered by the National MS Society and Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m. at Independent Living, 113 Main St., Batavia. For more information please call 1-800-344-4867 or e-mail megan.vaughan@nmss.org.
Press release:
Anyone who seeks information about a wealth of services that are available to people with disabilities, most at no cost to the individual, can just stop by the Richmond Memorial Library any Friday from March 25th to April 29th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. A staff member of Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will be present at the 19 Ross St. facility near East Main Street in Batavia to answer questions on disability-friendly programs of the two organizations.
Patrons who are blind, dyslexic, or who otherwise prefer to listen to their literature can access audio talking books from the Library’s stock and through the download station of eBook distributor OverDrive. They can also download eBooks from Freading, movie and shows from Freegal Movies, and three songs per week that are theirs to keep and also listen to three hours per day of streaming music, courtesy of Freegal Music.
Plus a free subscription to Hoopla provides patrons temporary streaming access to audiobooks, movies, music, eBooks, comics and television series, 24 hours per day. Seniors can access Services to the Aging in Genesee County (SAGE), a program providing library services to homebound and resident senior citizens in the County, funded by a grant from the Muriel H. Marshall Fund for the Aging, through the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Anyone can learn about a host of services that ILGR offers to individuals with disabilities, including: Individual Advocacy; Benefits Advisement; Budgeting Assistance; Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS) for those needing Home Care Assistants; Educational Coaching for parents dealing with schools’ Committees on Special Education; Falls Prevention Education; Family Reimbursement Services for relatives of individuals with developmental disabilities; advice on Housing options in the community and application assistance; Information & Referral to community resources; advisement on Job Searches; a Loan Closet of gently used medical equipment; “Ticket to Work” Employment Network for those receiving Social Security benefits; Transition Services for young people and seniors with disabilities who want to live independently; ambulatory and wheelchair-lift-van Transportation Services; plus Advocacy for Change of disability discrimination practices on a system level.
Please contact David Dodge at (585) 815-8501, ext. 415, or e-mail him at ddodge@wnyil.org with any questions.
Clients of Independent Living of the Genesee Region in Batavia have a new option for getting involved in artistic creation thanks to a donation of an Artcovz by the University Heights Arts Association in Buffalo.
Lawrence Kinney, who founded the association with is wife, Mary, made the kiosk with a 100-year-old humidor as the foundation and was on hand Wednesday for the donation ceremony.
Mary Kinney explained that a primary goal of the association is to make art accessible to communities that are underserved in the arts, such as those with limited ability to get around or limited finances.
"Anybody who passes by is welcome to take a project," Mary said. "The projects are free they contain everything from drawing to small sculpture projects, garden art, adult color sheets, CD samples, lectures, and we change out the art frequently. Also we have little donation box at bottom to allow people to pay it forward. We do accept donations of paper, pencils and old craft supplies."
Lawrence Kinney said part of the inspiration for the idea comes from the Little Free Library movement, were people set up boxes that act as roadside lending libraries.
One of his specialities as an artist is reclaiming old furniture, especially pieces made from hardwoods, and turning the furniture into art projects.
The one at the Independent Living center at 113 Main St., Batavia, began as an old humidor and he built it up into a kiosk with space for a varity of art materials.
The association is interested in connecting with any location, including local businesses, that would like to host a kiosk.
"Western New York has a wonderful art communtiy, but a lot of the art organizations serve seasoned artists and we want to serve underserved populations, like people with disabilities, who might not otherwise access programs as easily," she said.
Press release:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) has been selected to be a hub of inspiration and resources for those who wish to explore their artistic side, with an emphasis on disability-friendly activities. Following the official unveiling at 2 p.m. on Wednesday March 2nd, in the lobby of ILGR’s 113 Main St. office, Batavia, an ARTcovz self-serve kiosk will be available to all who want the packets of free art and literature supplies. The booth’s pockets, hooks and shelves will offer: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/ drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and art-oriented audio books on CD. Eventually, artists with disabilities will come to ILGR to offer workshops and display examples of their work.
This opportunity is being made possible thanks to the North-Buffalo-based University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the arts. Each ARTcovz booth caters to the demographic it serves; UHAA has partnered with ILGR to expand their outreach to people with disabilities.
Please contact Rae Frank at (585) 815-8501, ext. 406, or e-mail her at rfrank@wnyil.org with any questions.
ARTcovz is part of UHAA’s ARTboothz program, which offers sit-down art projects to passersby at community events. Each mini-art kit contains materials and a set of directions for completing a project, a link to further UHAA resources, including online databases of additional projects, and a schedule of upcoming programs. Designed/fabricated by sculptor/furniture maker Lawrence Kinney of UHAA, each ARTcovz includes a bin at the bottom of the booth to accept donations of art materials.
ARTboothz program served 2,427 people of all ages in 2015 at farmer's markets, festivals, community centers, and special events throughout Western New York. University Heights Arts Association plans to unveil a total of 10 ARTcovz in 2016. UHAA members offer donations, devise projects, put kits together at a series of "Potluck Packaging ARTraiser" events. These events are open to the public or anyone wishing to help or contribute supplies.
Press release:
The University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), organized in North Buffalo, is a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource through the arts to make a positive difference in people’s lives. They have partnered with Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) to provide a new service for people with disabilities, including free art supplies and workshops!
ARTcovz is part of the ARTboothz program of the University Heights Arts Association, which offers sit-down art projects to passersby at community events.
On March 2, at 2 p.m. the first ARTcovz booth will be unveiled at Independent Living of the Genesee Region at 113 Main St., Batavia.
ARTcovz self-serve booths consist of a kiosk/dispenser containing pockets, hooks and shelves. It dispenses prepackaged projects, arts, literature, or CD samplers and a bin at the bottom of each booth accepts donations. Each mini-art kit contains materials and a set of directions for completing a project, a link to further UHAA resources including online databases of additional projects and a schedule of upcoming programs. Each ARTcovz booth caters to the demographic it serves. The ILGR Artcovz will offer disability-sensitive projects.
ARTboothz program served 2,427 people of all ages in 2015 at farmer's markets, festivals, community centers, and special events throughout Western New York. University Heights Arts Association plans to unveil 10 ARTcovz this year. ARTcovz are designed/fabricated by sculptor/furniture maker Lawrence Kinney, of University Heights Arts Association.
UHAA members offer donations, devise projects, put kits together at a series of "Potluck Packaging ARTraiser" events. These events are open to the public or anyone wishing to help or contribute supplies. Donations accepted from the community include colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and books on CD. These items can be donated at Independent Living, 113 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020.
UHAA and ILGR plan to to partner for additional programs including workshops and exhibitions. All art programs will be open to people with disabilities. Please contact Rae Frank at (585) 815-8501, ext. 406, or rfrank@wnyil.org with any questions.
Press release:
The legal rights of people with developmental disabilities who are seeking appropriate housing and some practical techniques to secure it will be explored in a FREE Accessible Housing Education Seminar. It takes place on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), 113 Main St. (near Center Street), Suite 5, Batavia.
In addition to explaining the Fair Housing Act and other measures that bar disability-based discrimination, presenters will provide information and resources for navigating a provided regional list of housing options and other opportunities, advocating for reasonable accommodations and environmental modifications, and securing referrals and promising locations.
Housing specialist Robin Arnold-Scott of ILGR, and Todd Vaarwerk, director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Western New York Independent Living, Inc., will make a PowerPoint presentation as part of the seminar.
Anyone who is interested in attending should register by calling Donna at (585) 815-8501, ext. 411; or by e-mail at dbecker@wnyil.org.
“Developmental disabilities” encompasses a number of central nervous system impairments that occur before age 22, including: cerebral palsy; epilepsy; autism; spinal cord injury; traumatic and acquired brain injury; learning disabilities such as dyslexia (reading disabilities), dysgraphia (writing disabilities), and visual tracking disorder; cognitive disabilities, Down Syndrome, and others.
ILGR is an agency dedicated to the mission that people with disabilities deserve true independence and equality, including at the workplace: the right to live their lives as they choose; a philosophy the Agency carries out by providing individuals the skills and resources to do it themselves. ILGR’s services include independent living skills training, advocacy, peer counseling, transportation, Braille transcription, a loan closet of medical equipment, housing assistance, information and referral, and many more.
The second annual Taste of Independence to benefit Independent Living of the Genesee Region will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at St. Joseph's School. The address is 2 Summit St. Cost is $25 per ticket or $40 per couple.
There will be a 50/50 auction and raffle items. Only a limited number of tickets are available so get yours now.
To RSVP and/or sponsor, call Donna Becker at 815-8501, ext. 411, or e-mail her at dbecker@wnyil.org
Funds raised will be used to help people with disabilities in emergency situations with employment or moving forward with life goals when there is no other financial resource available.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region will host a free six-session workshop on Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes on Mondays beginning Sept. 14 at the Mental Health Association at 25 Liberty St., Batavia.
The workshops will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 14 and 19.
To register, call Pat at 815-8501, ext. 402.
The program will cover these topics:
Independent Living of the Genesee Region will host a free six-session workshop on Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes on Mondays beginning Sept. 14 at the Mental Health Association at 25 Liberty St., Batavia.
The workshops will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 14 and 19.
To register, call Pat at 815-8501, ext. 402.
The program will cover these topics:
Press release:
WNY Independent Living, Inc., wants feedback from youth and young adults 14-24 years of age with mental /behavioral health problems and their parents and educators.
Focus groups are wanted that are comprised of individuals with a “behavioral health” diagnosis, parents of youth/young adults with mental/behavioral health challenges and/or educational service providers/teachers who work with youth/young adults. These focus groups are focused on areas which include disability, developmental/mental health challenges, substance abuse/use, trauma, eating disorders, and environmental disabilities, etc. Focus groups are available to youth/young adults, parents, teachers and service providers.
Each focus group is looking to create a report which shows stakeholders (youth/young adults, parents and services providers) feel is needed in Western New York to support youth/young adults with mental health/behavioral health needs, parents/caregivers, and education/service providers. Through the overall outcome of the focus groups, WNY Independent Living's goal is to create programs and services which will close gaps in current behavioral health services, training, and information to provide to youth/young adults, families and educators within the WNY community.
The focus groups can be set up at any location or WNY Independent Living, Inc., can provide a location in Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Batavia. The focus group takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. We greatly appreciate input as it will create long term outcomes and goals to assist transition age youth/young adults in need of support while attending and remain in high school, transitioning to college or work in being successful and sustaining employment down the road.
Our goal is also to divert youth in high school from dropping out, based on mental health/behavioral
health challenges and needs.
If interested in being part of a focus group to design new and inventive future services please contact Lynnette Torgalski at (716) 836-0822, ext.154, or e-mail at ltorgalski@wnyil.org, or Chris Hoff at (716) 836-0822, ext.103, e-mail at choff@wnyil.org.
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