Independent Living of the Genesee Region

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 26^th 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 20^th.

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 20^th and 27^th; July 11^th, 18^th and 25^th; and Aug. 1^st.

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 7^th.

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.

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.

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 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:

• Decision making & problem solving skills;
• Developing & maintaining a safe, long-term physical activity program;
• Preventing complications;
• Dealing with anger, depression & difficult emotions;
• Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals;
• Using prescribed medication appropriately;
• Healthy eating;
• Monitoring;
• Skin & foot care;
• Planning for future health care.

The Independent Living Center hosted its first Taste of Independence festival in Jackson Square last night.

Several local restaurants and bakeries served food at the fundraiser, which included a basket raffle.

Participating were: D&R Depot, Rack Shack, Terry Hills, T.F. Browns, Swy's Catering, Big Pauly's, Sweet Ecstasy Bakery, Bistro & Banquets, Coffee Culture Cafe & Eatery, and Tops Friendly Markets. Mueller Quaker also provided yogurt, Subway provided cookies and Wendy's provided beverages.

Above, Rae Frank and Greg Bruggman drew tickets for the raffle.

Photos by Amanda Earl.

Jeremy Franklin and Gillian Cleveland.

Yvette Lucas, Community Events Outreach coordinator.  

Donna Becker of Independent Living enters tickets for the basket raffle.

Don Bouchard.

Press release:

Rae Frank was named director of Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR). She brings 15 years of experience in human services management, including leadership roles with nonprofit agencies in Buffalo, Warsaw, and Perry.

Frank has an MFA degree in Electronic Communications from SUNY at Brockport and a BA degree in Media Studies from SUNY at Buffalo.

She resides in Gainesville with her husband and three children.

Frank becomes the second director of ILGR, a part of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc., family of agencies. For more than four years, the agency has offered individuals of the Genesee Region (Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties) four core services including information and referral, peer counseling, independent living skills training, and individual and community advocacy, through empowerment, education and equality for all, regardless of disability.