Access To Independence of Cortland County, Inc.

09/05/2025

🦋♿~ Happy Friday! ~♿🦋

Here is your weekly dose of cuteness to brighten your day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzcamFb21Ro

If you're interested in a fun accessible 5k or 1 mile run/walk/roll, you can join ATI and the Cortland County Family YMCA on October 11th for our Run4All event! No obstacles like the poor kitties and you can go at your own pace!
Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Cortland/CortlandYMCABorgWarnerRun4All5K1Mile

The 2025 Run 4 All 5K & 1 Mile is on Saturday October 11, 2025. It includes the following events: 2025 Run 4 All 5K, 2025 Run 4 All 1 Mile, 2025 Run 4 All 5K, 2025 Run 4 All 1 Mile, 2025 Run 4 All 5K, 2025 Run 4 All 1 Mile, 2025 Run 4 All 5K, 2025 Run 4 All 1 Mile, 2025 Run 4 All 5K, 2025 Run 4 All....

09/04/2025

National Disability Voting Rights Week is September 8th-12th! Get registered to vote because your vote matters!

Every other Friday, the Cortland Standard publishes our opinion article under the League of Women Voters of Cortland County Legislative Corner. These are articles that are written by a committee of 6 in our organization. Each article focuses on a topic that we consider is an important issue. Last Friday, this article was published. The theme: political communication. How do you get your information to make informed decisions.

This year there are over 60 local elections in Cortland County: they cover elected offices in our county, city, towns and villages. The people who are elected in these critical positions (such as town supervisor) impact our lives directly. And yet, a study done with SUNY Cortland in 2023, indicates that the vast majority of us don't vote - on average, only 28% of registered voters vote in local elections.

We have to ask ourselves: "why?" "Why don't people vote in local elections?" LWV Cortland County believes part of the reason is because there is not enough information about local elections available to eligible voters. We hope to change that.

Coming soon is our VOTE411 guide specific to Cortland County. You will be able to go to a website (VOTE411.org), enter your address, and all of the races that will be on your ballot will be identified. Useful information, such as how long the office is held for, the function of that office, and who is currently in that position, will also be provided. All candidates running for office, who have completed a short 2-4 questionnaire with information about their vision and why they are running for office will also be available.

Stay tuned. We'll be back in a few weeks! And, we're excited to be bringing this state-of-the-art program to Cortland County this year.

09/03/2025

Our September Newsletter is here!
https://gr8.com/r/Bir4SO/E/ICLxf?f=

In this issue:
- Important Advocacy Updates
- Disability Voting Rights Week
- National Su***de Prevention Month
- Social Security Updates
- And More!

09/03/2025

A Message from Theo Braddy: The First Time

This is Theo Braddy, Executive Director of the National Council on Independent Living, bringing you my latest message. The title is “The First Time.”

There are moments in life that change everything, moments you never forget. For me, one of those moments came rushing back recently, like a floodgate of memories breaking wide open.

I was sitting on my patio when a longtime friend and colleague stopped by. We’ve shared many conversations before about the challenges we face, but this time was different. This friend, a Certified Mobility Consultant for Total Mobility Services, casually mentioned that one of his clients was coming in a couple of days to pick up his newly modified van — after nearly a year and a half of being without one.

That simple statement stopped me for a moment of reflection.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3UX9Zbu
Listen to the audio version of this message: https://bit.ly/47V1fdk

Image: A person sitting in the driver’s seat of a red minivan with an extended ramp. A wheelchair is visible inside the van.

09/02/2025

It is back to school time!

Do you have a child that might need some extra help in school, but aren't sure if they qualify for services?

Contact us and we will connect you with our Advocacy Specialist, Erin Vallely. (607-753-7363) or email us at info@aticortland.org

To learn about both 504 plans and IEPs, check out this link: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/differences-between-504-plan-and-individualized-education-program-iep

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09/01/2025

We are super proud of this community group that is working to become their own nonprofit. We are supporting them by being their fiscal sponsor and helping them to apply for grants.

Sharing this post or inviting people to their page with help them.

And if you ar free next weekend and want to be at a picnic with no alcohol or drugs, come on out the picnic with Bob's barbecue

📣 SO, only 5 Days to Go!
I have a little Haiku for you!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Everybody eating and
Enjoying their life 😎

That’s what to expect at the annual Recovery Picnic!

There’s gonna be SO many games 🎯, and we’re giving away SO much fishing gear plus Bernard's Custom Logo & Trophy was SO generous they even donated a gift basket to raffle off. Thank You!! 💜

SO, are you gonna be there? We hope SO!!!!

12pm - 4pm at the Suggett Park Burch Building. 🌳
Bob's Barbecue 🍗🐔 is catering and its going to be SO GOOD!

We are SO excited to meet you! Come on down is gonna be SO AWESOME❗

09/01/2025

🦋 ~ Happy Labor Day! ~ 🦋

Access To Independence is closed today as we celebrate the Labor Day holiday.

Want to know more about where Labor Day came from? Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqmPE2HtkyU

We will reopen tomorrow at our usual time of 8:00am.

[ID: A red, white, and blue circle graphic that says "Happy Labor Day"]

08/29/2025

Happy Friday and Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Access To Independence will be closed on Monday for the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd at our normal time (8:00am).

[ID: A hanging orange and red closed sign with the word Monday under it.]

08/27/2025

The Cortland County Health Department wants to hear from YOU! Take a few minutes to share your thoughts on health and well-being in Cortland County. Your answers will help us create a plan to make Cortland County a healthier place for everyone.

The survey takes about 10 minutes and is open until September 15th. You can take it in English or Spanish by using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BXBSXF8 or by scanning the QR code.

Thank you for being part of the conversation. Let’s make a difference — together.

[ID: Blue themed graphic with a message to take the community health assessment survey, the image includes a QR code in and CCHD and Guthrie logos.]