Blog Stories

YAI’s blog is broken into two different sections. “Ask the Experts” offers advice on everything I/DD related from a diverse range of YAI staff, including social workers, doctors, and DSPs. “Around YAI” provides a small taste of some of the incredible things staff and people we support do on a daily basis. Thanks for reading! 

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Celebrating Longevity & Careers

Mon, October 10, 2016
YAI’s leadership team honored 48 staff members who have dedicated a combined 1,150 years to the people we support and their families.
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Temp Job Turns Into Steady Work

Sat, October 01, 2016
Denisse Duran wasn’t sure about interviewing for a temporary position with a consulting engineering firm in lower Manhattan. Today, she's glad she did.
YAI's Declaration Champions presented at a Self-Advocacy Association of New York State Conference recently.

Promoting Technology for All

Mon, September 26, 2016
Imagine life without your cell phone or computer. No email, texts or camera for selfies. Unfortunately, that’s a reality for many of the 28 million Americans with cognitive disabilities, who have limited or no access to communication technology. A group of six YAI Self-Advocates are hoping to change that by spreading the word about the Declaration of the Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access .
Tom Hoch and D.M. Camille Marshall

Bringing an Appreciation of Arts to Work

Mon, September 19, 2016
It was only appropriate that D.M. Camille Marshall’s introduction to YAI started as a volunteer assisting with the production of Romeo and Juliet featuring the people YAI supports at Manhattan Day Services.
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Start Day at 2 A.M.? No Problem

Sun, September 18, 2016
When Leonid Fish and his wife Maya Anbinder set a goal of enjoying more community events, Soraya Dauphin, a Community Habilitation Specialist in Brooklyn, sprung into action.
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Keeping People Happy at Rose Lane

Sat, September 17, 2016
The people who live at YAI’s Rose Lane residence in Yonkers, N.Y., are fortunate to have Tamekia White in their lives. Tamekia, a Health Care Specialist, has an eye for detail.
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'It's an Honor to See the Changes'

Fri, September 16, 2016
Ana Reyes, a Bronx parent, couldn’t be happier with the progress her 27-year-old daughter Veronica has made with the support of Michelle Balandra, a YAI Community Habilitation Specialist.
Group of people that YAI supports at Astoria Day Hab

A DSP Focuses on Health & Wellness

Thu, September 15, 2016
Susan Zelenski, Direct Support Professional (DSP), embraces a holistic approach to health and wellness, which she is happy to share with everyone at YAI’s Astoria Day Services.
Rolston Thomside and YAI's Ian Thomson.

Taking Time to Learn About Rolston

Wed, September 14, 2016
When Rolston Thomside moved into YAI’s 22nd Street Residence in Brooklyn from the Brooklyn Developmental Center, staff knew very little about him. But his life began to change thanks to Ian Thomson and the 22nd Street team.
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DSP of 18 Years Known as 'Captain'

Tue, September 13, 2016
If you see Charles Hunter and Ellen Coren enjoying a meal together in Queens or just window shopping at the mall, chances are YAI's Stephen Middleton, a Direct Support Professional, will be there, too.

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