Blog Stories

We are excited to have Author, Nutritionist, and Health Educator, Kelly Dorfman, MS. LDN, join us as a guest speaker at this year’s Westchester Autism Conference in Tarrytown. Kelly is one of the world’s foremost experts on nutrition and the author of the award-winning book, Cure Your Child with Food: The Hidden Connection Between Nutrition and Childhood Ailments, which has been translated in 7 different languages. Kelly has also been featured and quoted in such publications like The Wall...

We are happy to announce that Award-Winning and Internationally Recognized Motivational Speaker, Poet and Author, Russell Lehmann will be a Guest Speaker at this year’s Westchester Autism Conference. Lehmann is an advocate, who happens to have autism, and the personification of seeing beyond disability. Lehman's words have been featured in Autism Speaks, USA Today, LA Times, NPR and many other reputable outlets. When Russell is not writing or serving as a council member for the Autism Society...

Today, people that are faced with disabilities or mobility limitations have a number of accessibility options available to help empower them to overcome daily challenges. For those in wheelchairs, navigating to and around the inside of a home can be especially difficult, but modern technology has come a long way in addressing these issues. New incline platform lifts allow wheelchair owners to roll directly into a lift and secure the chair before gliding up or down a staircase safely and...

In response to the lack of resources offered to male caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), YAI launched the Shoulder to Shoulder program. Shoulder to Shoulder is a behavior management course offered to male-identifying caretakers residing in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. In the evenings, men join in these workshops to build the necessary foundation to support their loved ones. Alongside a male behavior intervention specialist, participants...

Latoya Harrison began working at the Garfield II Residence in March 2016, where she was hired as an AM DSP, supporting people with many medical conditions. Latoya quickly mastered the medical systems and was a strong advocate for the people she supported. The people who live at Garfield II require hands-on assistance with activities of daily living. They use walkers and wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts to be transferred. Garfield II was the first NIPD home supporting people in a barrier-free setting...

Anette Watt started at YAI in February 2004 at the Wagner residence as a full time overnight asleep counselor. In her 13-plus years she has never called out sick, never missed a shift for any reason, and only takes one week of vacation every year. She makes it in the snow, sleet, rain, and even hurricanes. Not only does she never miss a shift, she is never late. Not only does Anette work full time overnight, she is also Wagner’s “go to” person whenever they are short staffed. She works AM, PM,...

Justine Ortiz has been a dedicated employee at YAI for five years. During this time, she has shown tremendous growth, professionally and personally. She started her employment as a DSP in a Day Hab program in Manhattan. A fierce advocate, Justine is always looking out for the people she supports and loves the community inclusion aspect of her job. She is constantly on the go, securing volunteer sites in the community for not only her group but others as well. Justine moved to a smaller Day Hab...

Earlier this summer, YAI Westchester and YAI/RCAPD hosted their first ever combined Career Day. The purpose of the day was to present staff members with the experiences of other employees who have built their careers at YAI/RCAPD. Focusing on the clinical career track, representatives spoke on behalf of Premier HealthCare, Behavioral Intervention Specialists, and NYSTART Crisis Prevention and Response. The speakers shared their professional journeys and gave advice on how to explore different...

A great part of my job at YAI has been collaborating with, supporting and learning from the many people who are self advocates. This opportunity has not only enriched my professional and personal world, but it has also provided me with the opportunity to challenge and question myself in ways that have only enhanced my learning about people and myself. When involved in supporting a person who is a self advocate I try very hard to “not take away their power.” This is easy sometimes but very...

About two years ago, a little Goldendoodle named Monty entered the life of Tarrytown staffer Ken Reedy. Ken started bringing Monty in for visits and noticed how beneficial Monty was to the day hab participants and other staff. Derrick S., who receives services at the day hab, said to Ken, “Monty is my best friend because I’m adopted too.” As BIS Inetta Clemons-D’Urso described, “Monty has added an increased sense of comfort and safety, with an added benefit of touch therapy. The emotional...