About us!

Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. (ATI) evolved from a grassroots, advocacy organization in the City of Cortland, New York, in 1986. ATI was incorporated in 1998 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In 2001, ATI became one of New York State’s 40 centers for independent living (ILC). As an ILC, ATI is a community-based, consumer-controlled, non-residential organization that provides a variety of services for individuals with a wide range of disabilities in and around Cortland County.

ATI is a family-friendly organization that serves persons with disabilities, their friends, family, and caregivers. ATI serves youth, adults, and senior consumers. ATI has also provided services to nearly 40 local human service agencies and businesses. ATI collaborates with the other 40 independent living centers in New York State, and networks with ILC's nationwide.

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Independent Living means controlling and directing your own life. It means taking risks and being allowed to succeed and fail on your own terms. It means participating in community life and pursuing activities of your own choosing. Independent Living requires knowing what choices are available, selecting what is right for you, and taking responsibility for your own actions. For people that have disabilities that affect their ability to make complicated decisions or pursue complex activities, independent living means being as self-sufficient as possible. It means being able to exercise the greatest degree of choice in where you live, with whom you live, how to live, where you work, with whom you work and how to use your time.

In 1986, several human services agencies, local government representatives, and concerned citizens realized there was a lack of physical accessibility in Cortland County. They formed the Cortland County Accessibility Committee (CCAC).  CCAC was a grassroots committee working under the auspices of the Community Action Program of Cortland County (CAPCO). Throughout the years, many efforts were made by CCAC on behalf of the civil rights and public awareness of people with disabilities.

First, CCAC worked with the Common Council on the Downtown Sidewalk project, to ensure that all the sidewalks in downtown Cortland were accessible. CCAC’s next major accomplishment was the establishment of the Sheriff’s Accessible Parking Enforcement Program (SHAPE), with volunteers trained by the Sheriff’s Department to ticket individuals parked illegally in handicapped parking spots in City lots.  These initiatives were supported solely through CCAC’s grassroots funding activities.

By 1997, heightened community awareness led to recognition of the need for a centralized disability advocacy and resource center.  The result was the creation of the Cortland County Access Center, a satellite of the Ithaca-based Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC). The county legislature provided office space for the Center, while Assemblyman Martin Luster and Senator James Seward secured Member Item funding from the NY State Legislature to pay for office furniture and supplies.

In 1998, CCAC became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization called Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. (ATI).  Under the guidance of a volunteer Director, additional funding was secured to support the Agency’s continuing outreach efforts.

In 2000, Senator Seward and Assemblyman Luster co-sponsored legislation that identified ATI as New York State’s 36th Independent Living Center (ILC).  Along with that designation came a second Member Item to cover start-up costs. In 2001, ATI began receiving ongoing funding through VESID (Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities), part of the State Education Department, to serve as an official ILC.