Image of a purple background with 4 digitally drawn images of faces: Top left - black female with short blonde hair smiling (Lois curtis) Top Right - White female with a bob haircut and glasses smiling (judy heumann). Lower Left - Asian female with ear-length black hair and a mask over her nose (Alice Wong). Lower Right - A white male with gray hair and a gray beard using a tube in his mouth (Ed Roberts). At the bottom of the image is a horizontal gold bar with text: Courage, Resilience and Pursuit of Justice

2023 Impact Report

Welcome to Independent Living, Inc., where empowerment, inclusion, and advocacy are at the heart of everything we do. As advocates of disability rights, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through personalized support and comprehensive services.

Our 2023 Impact Report showcases the incredible strides we’ve made in fostering independence and breaking down barriers. From peer support and advocacy to education and community outreach, our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual we serve. Through heartfelt testimonials and success stories, you’ll discover the profound impact our organization has had on the lives of countless individuals and families. Join us in our mission to build a more accessible and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Explore our report and learn how you can be a part of our journey toward empowerment and equality.

At Independent Living, Inc., our 2023 Impact Report reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and promoting inclusivity. Throughout the report, you’ll find a comprehensive overview of our efforts to enhance the quality of life for those we serve. From heartfelt testimonials to detailed program descriptions, we showcase the diverse range of services we offer, including peer support, advocacy, education, and community outreach. Each program is designed to meet the unique needs of individuals, fostering independence and breaking down barriers.

Our impact in 2023 is evident in the countless success stories shared by those who have benefited from our programs. From assisting individuals in obtaining employment to providing critical support during times of crisis, our services have made a tangible difference in the lives of many. Additionally, our expansion of services demonstrates our proactive approach to addressing evolving needs within the community.

As advocates for disability rights, we remain steadfast in our mission to advocate for equality and accessibility for all. Through collaborative partnerships, dedicated staff, and the support of our community, we continue to work towards building a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Join us in our journey towards empowerment and equality, and together, we can create a world where disability is not a barrier to living life to the fullest.

Image of the 2023 Annual Impact Report cover. 4 Disability Rights Pioneers are hand-drawn on the front, Lois Curtis, Alice Wong, Judy Heumann, and Ed Roberts. Text '2023 Impact Report' in Purple.
THANK YOU to my dedicated staff and board of directors, and to all our Friends of Independence who are committed to the mission of Independent Living! I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve our organization and community as CEO for Independent Living since our inception. I remember when we first developed the center in 1987, and thinking I’d invest the next 3-5 years developing the best organization possible to meet the growing needs of people with disabilities in our region. There’s an old saying, people plan, and God laughs -- I have now entered my 37th year and still love Monday mornings!
Letter from the Board Chair This past year, 2023, was another great year for Independent Living, Inc. I began my service as a board member in 2019, and now have the privilege of serving as the Chairman of the board. I couldn’t be prouder and more impressed at the work that our center does locally and regionally, and the impact we have statewide as we advocate for systemic change. Since I first learned about independent living, I was immediately convinced this was an organization I could fully endorse – the mission and philosophy of supporting others to become self-sufficient to their fullest extent is something that resonated with me and was consistent with my personal beliefs. I can also appreciate the level of passion and diversity of talent that each of our board members brings to the organization, and for embracing the agency values of integrity, respect and customer focus. I am thrilled to serve as the chairman of the board of an organization that is actively engaged at every level of the health and human services system. This year we celebrate our 37th year of service to the region, the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the 25th anniversary of the Olmstead Decision of 1999, all major achievements for the disability community. ILI has much work to do advocating for the rights and service needs of people with disabilities. We depend on our growing donor base for support in order to keep up with emerging demands; and we always remain committed to our organizational mission which is simply summed up as, “teach a person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime”! We are here to support the unique needs of every person with a disability we work with. As chairman, I’d like to thank all of the members of community who support us in our efforts toward improving quality of life for the people we serve. I am truly looking forward to a great year in 2024, filled with breaking down barriers and helping others to maximize their potential for independence!
Image of quote: What does it mean to know Independent Living Inc. exists? That there’s people out in the world that have so much love and care in their souls to take the time out of their days to fight for people with disabilities and mental health struggles. It warms my heart. -Christina , ILI Consumer
Advocacy Information& Referral Peer Support Benefits Advisement We strive to be the bridge that supports individuals, regardless of age or disability, to embrace their full potential and thrive in a fully integrated and barrier-free society. Transition & Diversion Consumer-Directed Care
Facilitated Enrollment Safe Options Support Independent Living continuously evaluates the needs of the communities we serve. As a result, we expanded our service offerings to include new initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Provide outreach and assistance to individuals who may be under or uninsured to enroll in benefits such as Medicare. SOS Critical Time Intervention Teams will use an evidence-based approach to provide intensive outreach, engagement, and care coordination. ADA Policy & Advocacy An expansion upon existing services, Independent Living, Inc. established an ADA Policy & Advocacy team to address local and legislative barriers. Youth Program A service for individuals 18-25 who are aging out of school and/or the foster care system to be better connected to community supports and services. Recovery Center Independent Living, Inc. opened our Recovery Center, dedicated to providing peer support to individuals in mental health or substance use recovery.
Image of quote: Today, at the ripe young age of 76, I open my eyes every morning and humbly realize that I have value for others not despite my disabilities but because of them. This awakening has taken place during my years at ILI, and is the very source of the gift of compassion that I experience for others still facing what may seem like insurmountable challenges. And therein lies, at long last, the peace of knowing my true purpose in this marvelous journey called life. - John Harper Independent Living Systems Advocate
Image of purple graphic with people depicting different disabilities. Quote: Disability Advocacy is our Priority. Period.Independent Living, Inc. went PURPLE. Purple is the internationally recognized color for Disability Awareness, which we decided to re-coin as Disability Appreciation!
Our 2023 IMPACT Individuals and their families received services from Independent Living, Inc. in 2023. 5,983 102,600 76% 3% 62,350 More than 102,600 individualized services were provided in 2023. Individuals served who accessed more than one Independent Living program. Increase in services provided to the community from 2022 to 2023. Hours staff dedicated to providing services to our community.
Image of quote boxes: “My Peer [counselor] helped me battle my doubts of my falls and successes. He helped me take my life experiences, what so many have viewed as my detriments, and turn them into my unique strengths.” – Independent Living Onward Recovery Consumer “When they said a peer could meet me where I was at, it was about my mental state, my soul’s desires, the steps I would take to live a better life. They would meet me without judgment. They would come to me with understanding because they too lived and experienced their own traumas.” – Independent Living Onward Recovery Consumer “IL helped me get my foot in the door of the services that I need. The people were more than just staff, they felt like family.” – Independent Living Consumer 2023
“Independent Living, Inc. – this name says it all. The greatest human dignity you can give a person regardless of their age or condition is to help them be as independent as possible. This is the hope that has been given to me now that I am working with Independent Living.” – Independent Living Benefits Advisement Consumer Institutionalizations Prevented 253 Institutionalizations Terminated 8
98% of Self-Directed Care Consumers achieved a personal wellness goal in 2023 100% of Community Independence Program participants achieved a wellness goal in 2023 80% of individuals receiving Supported Employment services experienced an increased level of independence
New individuals using our consumer-directed home care program, allowing them to remain in their home rather than an institution 60 522,144 Hours of consumer-directed home care provided in 2023 In 2023, we held our first Home Care Gratitude Mixer Encompassing the core values of Independent Home Care, the event offered guests a person-centered experience, providing an afternoon of gratitude, acknowledgments, celebrations, connections to community resources and services, food, activities, and empowerment. “Independent Home Care has significantly changed my family’s life and the overall trajectory of my son’s life.” – Independent Home Care Designated Representative Finding
Education Advocacy: 90% of students served achieved one or more goals for inclusion in a district placement and / or received more supports and services for their child. 90% “I just wanted to write to you in praise of your Education Advocacy Program. I can't tell you how grateful we are for the expertise, advice and support. This has been an incredibly difficult year for our family, and walking into my son's most recent CSE meeting knowing that ILI was on our side gave me so much comfort. ILI was as invested as we were in getting our son the appropriate supports to succeed in school. We have been requesting an IEP and co-teach class for our son for 5 years now, and with ILI’s help we finally got him those supports. ILI helped us strategize before the meeting, supported us during the meeting, and celebrated with us afterwards. We are so relieved to enter next school year with adequate supports in place and we feel so much more optimistic about next school year.” -Parent Advocate
Image of two women with each other, one using a power wheelchair and the other leaning behind her, smiling. 2023 Home care means allowing people to stay in their homes. It means loving them the way they want to be loved. -Marie IHC Designated Representative
1,159 People in crisis directly served by Independent Living, Inc. Number of individuals experiencing a non-fatal overdose who received follow-up support Peer-to-Peer Community Groups were held and offered support through lived experience 90% 96 532 Of the 1,322 referrals received from PeerRX accepted services from Independent Living, Inc. Peer Transition Groups were held for 3,077 participants transitioning out of hospitals and into the community 599 Average number of days a person works with a peer throughout their recovery process 406 Grounded in the principles of the peer services movement, our organization is driven by lived experience, employing experts in their respective fields. IMPACT: Peer Services
IMPACT: Advocacy Independent Living, Inc. assisted 121 individuals in obtaining employment, advocating with employers to provide reasonable accommodations, create jobs for people with disabilities, or to hire a person with a disability based on their interests and associated skills Educational Action Alerts were disseminated More than 300 parents attended at least one of the 16 trainings provided by the Education Advocacy department, learning about Disability Rights and expanding upon advocacy skills 121 300+ 57
92% of Independent Living, Inc. funding goes directly to Programs and Services.
In 2024, we look Beyond Barriers to Build an Accessible Future.
Friends of Independence Our Friends of Independence are passionate advocates for breaking down barriers and promoting equal rights and access for people with disabilities. Allbar Steel Inc. James Distefano MediSked, LLC Mutual of America Ranni Law Firm RBT CPAs, LLP Rhinebeck Bank Standback General Contracting Walden Savings Bank William & Carol Moriris Members of Independent Living's Friends of Independence Society are committed to fostering inclusivity, supporting the mission of Independent Living, Inc., and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.
2024 Board of Directors Thank you to our dedicated Board of Directors! Christopher Seger, Chair Audrey Lark, Vice Chair Andrew Weyant, Treasurer Joseph Ranni, Esq., Immediate Past Chair Thomas Gordon Tom Sylcox Charles Walwyn Colin Jarvis Jean Minkel Donna Ponessa Justin Kimple Photos of all board members in a collage