Advocacy

By Erin Vallely, ATI Advocacy Specialist

August 4, 2023

INTRODUCTION

Anyone caring for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses knows the special education system can be difficult to navigate.  With school starting in New York soon, it’s important to know about the laws and vocabulary associated with special education that impact you and the students you care for.  

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By Erin Vallely, ATI Advocacy Specialist

June 30, 2023

INTRODUCTION 

The first major political win for the disability rights movement occurred in 1977 with the enforcement of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act.  Section 504 banned disability discrimination by organizations and programs that receive federal funding.  This legislation was written similarly to previous civil rights laws which banned race, ethnic origin, and sex-based discrimination by federal fund recipients.  While the enforcement of Section 504 was a victory worth celebrating, advocates knew they still had a long way to go before they had equal rights to nondisabled citizens.

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By Erin Vallely, ATI Advocacy Specialist

May 26, 2023

INTRODUCTION 

The start of summer weather in upstate New York means months full of community activities and festivals.  From company picnics to weekend-long street festivals, it’s important to ensure every member of the community can enjoy these opportunities.  While the inclusion of permanent accessibility practices is more common nowadays, the accessibility of temporary celebrations and events often goes unaddressed.  

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By Erin Vallely, ATI Advocacy Specialist

April 28, 2023

INTRODUCTION 

Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, our country has come a long way in ensuring our communities are physically accessible to everyone.  However, digital accessibility is still not a priority.  As of 2021, 98% of the world’s top 1 million websites were still not completely accessible.  

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