On Friday, November 19, 2021, FOCUS Greater Syracuse partnered with AccessCNY and ARISE to bring a free, virtual forum on empowerment, inclusion, and accessibility in disability services. AccessCNY provides person-centered services that empower individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential through a shared community. ARISE is a community-based nonprofit that works to ensure that everyone, regardless of disability, has the power to make life choices, live independently, and achieve their dreams.
Each organization described what services they provide, how they work towards their respective missions of empowerment and accessibility, and their impact on the CNY community; each organization also had a representative who receives those services speak on their experience.
Panelists include Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE; Paul Joslyn, Executive Director of AccessCNY; Tanisha Wiggins, Certified Peer Specialist and ARISE client; Angela Palmieri, AccessCNY client and AccessCNY Community Habilitation participant.