YAI

Happy International Dog Day! 🐾 Throwback to when Heather and her housemates brought joy and healing into their lives with foster dog Nena. #InternationalDogDay #seeingbeyonddisability #cerebralpalsy

Understanding consent is crucial for everyone, especially for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). In this clip from her training with the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Unit, Consuelo Senior, Assistant Director of YAI Knowledge, shares valuable insights on the importance of consent and how it can be complex for those with I/DD. As Connie says, "We say people with I/DD need two yeses - yes, I want to and yes, I know what I'm saying yes too." This highlights the need for clear communication and understanding. Let's work together to promote awareness and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals with disabilities. Learn more about YAI Knowledge at www.yai.org/knowledge. #Consent #IDD #DisabilityAdvocacy #NYPD #Awareness #Safety

Our team is breaking down stereotypes and showcasing the incredible lives of people with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities. Join us for the "Kashan Shuffle" and experience the heart and soul of being a direct support professional. #KashanShuffle #Autism #DownSyndrome #CelebratingAllAbilities Nathaniel Logan Open Future Learning National Down Syndrome Society AHRC New York City The Arc of the United States Global Down Syndrome Foundation Disability:IN

YAI’s travel training team led a session called "Effective Curriculum for Tomorrow's Travelers" at the Association of Travel Instruction (ATI) conference in Charlotte! They explored how to prepare individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) for successful travel, both virtually and in-person. From navigating crowded streets to problem-solving and coping mechanisms, this workshop provided a comprehensive review of three pre-travel training curriculums designed to empower safe and confident travel on public transit, specifically focusing on New York City.   Want to learn more?   Head over to yai.org/travel-training to explore YAI's innovative training programs!   #ATICharlotte #TravelTraining #Inclusion  

Our HR interns had an unforgettable summer experience! 🎨🍷 Last month, they joined Flatbush residents in Brooklyn for a fun-filled Paint & Sip event. Joseph Matos, MPA, HR Manager, who used to work at Flatbush before joining the HR team, helped facilitate the event.  Katherine O. and Luke Alexander had a blast getting to know the residents, learning about their lives, and witnessing the incredible work YAI does for the disability community firsthand. Their enthusiasm and openness were contagious! #YAI #internship #hr #community #inclusion #nonprofit #paintandsip #brooklyn #flatbush #idd #disabilityawareness

Want to experience Usher's Past Present Future tour in style on September 9? 🎤💃🕺 Enter YAI's Usher Suite Raffle for a 1 in 200 chance to win 10 tickets and private suite access! Thank you to TGI Office Automation and Frank Grasso for sponsoring and donating the private suite 🎁 To enter: 1. Complete the entry form (bit.ly/YAIUsherRaffle) 2. Donate $100 to YAI Raffle tickets are $100 each, and only 200 tickets are available. 🙌 Raffle ends August 23. ⏰ Visit bit.ly/YAIUsherRaffle to learn more! #YAI #UsherRaffle #Sweepstakes #Charity #Concert #NYC #BarclayCenter

July was National Disability Pride Month, and in honor of this awareness month, we had a meaningful conversation with YAI and the creative forces behind the film "Shh, They're Coming," which stars actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The conversation enhanced our understanding of the importance of I/DD representation in advertising and media. We share our appreciation to Amy Sigona, CFRE, Christopher Daniels, Ken Reedy and Joshua Adler for their time and wisdom today. You can watch the film on YAI's YouTube channel https://bit.ly/46tHNSq and find other excellent resources, too. Thank you!

Incredibly honored to represent YAI today at the New York State Executive Mansion with Governor Hochul celebrating the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Disability Pride Month. While we have come a long way, there is more work to do and YAI is committed to seeing beyond disability and is well positioned to continue making an impact to ensure community inclusion is a priority for the I/DD community. #YAIproud

For over a year, Sheldon called a hospital home, a solitary existence far removed from the life he longed for. He is one of countless people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) trapped in a system that often fails to provide the resources and support they deserve. The lack of appropriate community-based care forces many people with I/DD into hospital settings, depriving them of opportunities to live fulfilling lives within their communities. In June, thanks to a statewide Community Transition Initiative, Sheldon was one of 20 people trapped in a hospital setting that YAI was able to place in a home. Stepping into his new two-person apartment, staff members connected with Sheldon instantly. Their shared Jamaican heritage led to conversations in Patois, a cultural dialect that brought them all closer. “I will never do anything that sends me back to that place,” Sheldon said, referring to his years in the hospital. Today, Sheldon loves cooking his own meals. Gone are the days of strict curfews and confinement in his room. He's still adjusting to having unlimited access to the fridge, the ability to make a cup of coffee whenever he wants, and all the other little freedoms people often take for granted. Countless people with I/DD remain stuck in hospitals or on waitlists, hoping for a home to call their own. Read more about Sheldon and other stories at yai.org/more-than.

On the 34th anniversary of the American Disability Act (ADA), it's important to acknowledge we've come a long way, but there's still much work to do to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The first step toward equality is acceptance. Here are some highlights from YAI's Central Park Challenge--a day when our community comes together to celebrate people of all abilities. #ADA34 #AmericanDisabilityAct #DisabilityPride #ADAAnniversary