Services
Educational Advocacy
We offer advocacy and consultation services to students, and others who have disabilities, along with their family, to ensure their rights while navigating the educational system within WNY.
Contact
- Independent Living Center of Erie County, 716-836-0822
- Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 585-815-8501
- Independent Living of Niagara County, 716-284-4131
ICAN
ICAN provides free, confidential assistance to consumers eligible for or enrolled in Health and Recovery Plans (HARP). ICAN helps individuals determine HARP eligibility, answer benefit questions, offer advice, and advocate in appeals. ICAN also serves as an ombudsman for Medicaid recipients needing long-term care or behavioral health services. ICAN assists with Medicaid applications and enrollment in MLTC, MMC, FIDA-IDD, and HARP programs. The ICAN program is available at the Independent Living Center of Erie County, Independent Living of Niagara County, and Independent Living of the Genesee Region.
Eligibility
Individuals who are currently enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan and require long-term services, such as home health care, adult daycare, or nursing home care, as well as those who are seeking enrollment in a Medicaid managed care plan
Contact
- Call the ICAN program at (844) 614-8800 or email ican@cssny.org.
Individual Advocacy
We offer consumers access to individual advocacy and legal assistance and/or representation in accessing benefits, services, and programs they may be entitled to.
Contact us
- Independent Living Center of Erie County, 716-836-0822
- Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 585-815-8501
- Independent Living of Niagara County, 716-284-4131
- Mental Health Peer Connection, 716-836-0822
System Advocacy
Community accessibility affects all consumers. As part of the statewide Systems Advocacy Coalition, Western New York Independent Living advocates to elected officials and community leaders for systemic changes that impact the quality of life for our consumers. We also offer technical assistance in implementing systemic change.
Contact
- Advise
WNYIL’s Youth Peer Advocacy Program
Western New York Independent Living’s Youth Peer Advocacy Program is uniquely designed to offer both in-person and virtual self-empowerment, self-advocacy, and self-efficacy skill building to young people ages 14 to 28 who have a disability and reside in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
Our Youth Peer Services Program connects young people with young professionals (18 to 30 years of age) who are credentialed Youth Peer Advocates (YPA’s). YPA’s use their own real-life experiences to connect with, and provide guidance and assistance to, young people who need support in dealing with their own disability-related issues. Examples include seeking employment, pursuing college or vocational training, applying for benefits, securing housing, or finding social activities.
Contact
- Call Bianca at 716-836-0822 ext. 540 or email youth@wnyil.org
We’re Here to Help You.
For feedback, questions or concerns, please call 716-836-0822 or click the link below for more assistance.