YAI

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

Have you received your #YAIproud orange bracelet yet? Show your support for people with I/DD and join the movement! Inspired by a challenging event, YAI is taking steps to enhance safety and celebrate our incredible community. From bracelets and ID cards to additional staff training, we're committed to going above and beyond. Let's wear our pride on our sleeves and #SeeBeyondDisability. #DisabilityPrideMonth #IDD #YAIproud

Join Consuelo Senior, LMSW, CSE, MACM, SIFI, Assistant Director of YAI Knowledge, for "How to Support Friendship, Love, Marriage, and Dating" - a free virtual workshop designed to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build healthy relationships.   What you'll learn: - How to develop positive body image, self-esteem, and self-worth - Social skills for building strong friendships - Identifying what kind of friends you want - Understanding intimacy (non-sexual) - Dating basics 101 Date: July 18, 2024 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Register here: https://lnkd.in/eUNtPFBA   Don't miss out!   #IDD #Relationships #Friendship #Love

YAI was honored to participate in the Disability Pride Month event hosted by the BNP Paribas ABILITY Employee Resource Group. Our Director of LINK, Xiao Mei Gao, presented on accessing resources for people with disabilities, with a focus on educational opportunities. We were joined by Best Buddies International on the panel for a great discussion. Thank you to Xiao Mei for her informative presentation and Amy Sigona, CFRE, Associate Director, Corporate Partnerships, for attending! #DisabilityPrideMonth #Inclusion #Accessibility

Breon Williams is a 23-year-old with an intellectual disability who has beaten the odds every step of the way. Born at 27 weeks alongside his fraternal twin, Breon spent five months in the NICU, followed by years of early intervention services. Today, he is a Project SHINE youth ambassador, advocating for sexual health education for fellow young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Project SHINE fights myths surrounding sexuality and youth with I/DD and advocates for full access to information and care about sex and health for this group. With the launch of its toolkit in May 2024, it aims to help people talk about sex with youth with I/DD. This comes after research by the Project SHINE network showed parents, caregivers, and even professionals weren't sure how to have these important conversations. The research also found that youth with I/DD are at an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections or have unplanned pregnancies if they don’t learn about safe sex. Developmentally appropriate sexual health resources help reinforce rights and how to make informed choices. Check out the sexual health toolkit at https://lnkd.in/eSFE7FRU and the online interactive game at www.ourstoriesgame.org. #sexualhealth #sexualityandidd #developmentaldisabilities

This #DisabilityPrideMonth, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and joy of the people we support at YAI! Everyone deserves to be included, empowered, and celebrated. #YAI #Inclusion #DisabilityRights