A not-for-profit public interest firm providing free legal services to low-income individuals and families in Western New York. NLS aims to create the greatest access to the justice system for low-income individuals and those living with disabilities to pursue goals that will increase both the stability and the quality of their lives. Offers services in the following areas: - Housing (evictions, unsafe conditions, housing choice vouchers, discrimination, landlord/tenant concerns) - Family (DV, family offense petitions, custody, visitation, divorce, child and spousal support, paternity) - Public Benefits (temporary assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, utility shutoffs, emergency assistance, fair hearings, overpayments) - Medical-Legal Partnership (temporary assistance, SNAP, wills, SSI, Veteran services) - Disability (health insurance coverage issues, denial of services and equipment, SSI, SSDI, benefits advisement, overpayments, Medicaid/Medicare) - Student Loan/Debt Counseling - Health Insurance Navigators (New York State of Health) ##RENTRY##

Works to educate, empower, and to promote equality of all people with disabilities in Niagara County. Provides peer supports, information and referral, advocacy, transition supports, and peer services to people with any functional limitations. Has many programs and resources to assist constituents, including Deaf Services, Medicaid Application Assistance Program, Independent Living Skills training, Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services (CDPAS), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and benefit/entitlement services for individuals with disabilities. Also offers a medical loan closet. Addict 2 Addict (A2A): A peer-led team serving people with substance use disorders and their families and loved ones. Peers (in sustained recovery themselves and/or having loved ones with a substance use disorder) share their recovery experience and help those with substance use disorders navigate the many avenues to take by offering information, advocacy, and Peer Counseling to help them reach their first steps on the path to recovery. The team is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and will respond to a call at 716-498-4333 within 24 hours.

Offers assistance to individuals with development disabilities by helping them find housing that fits their personal needs. Services include peer role modeling, opportunities for self-help, personal empowerment, and growth.

Assists individuals receiving assistance (Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, and Food Stamps) to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability (SSDI). Also assists clients in filing appeals of denials for SSI and SSDI.

COVID-19 UPDATE 3/23 UPDATED NUMBER 607-283-4881 EMAIL [email protected] are not closed. Staff is working remotely from home. We have a new agency number that will be available during our normal business hours of 8 am to 4 pm. You'll get Braedon as usual, and he will direct your call to the appropriate staff person. COVID-19 UPDATE: Effective March 16th, ATI will be closed to the public for two weeks until March 30, 2020. Please contact for any Access needs. Office: 607-753-7363, NY Connects: 607-423-0345 The Universal Access Dinner, set for April 24, 2020, is POSTPONEDThe Universal 5+K, set for April 25, 2020, is POSTPONEDEvents such as Craft Club, Coloring Class, Board Game Club are canceled until regular office hours resumePublic meetings, including ATI Board Meetings, Core Advisory Group, Taskforce to Increase Disability Employment and Housing Consortium, will be held via teleconference, please contact us for detailsVITA Tax Services will continue to accept drop-offs of tax information to help people prepare their tax returns during weekend hours.Provides resources and advocacy to people with disabilities, their friends and family, and their caregiversEmpowers people with disabilities to lead independent lives in their community and strives to open doors to full participation and access for allWill lead community towards an all-inclusive future where discrimination and physical barriers no longer exist

Provides assistance with securing rights and benefits by educating individuals on their rights and abilities to self-advocate. Also provides peer advocates that are trained to assist individuals with disabilities in a one-on-one supportive setting, lead support groups to mentor other individuals with disabilities, and teach them to be self-advocate.

Access to Independence (ATI) provides: individuals of all ages, with and without disabilities businesses human service agencieswith resources and options for making informed choices about living, learning and working independently; understanding disability rights and services, and locating appropriate local and state resources.

Advocate for an enhanced quality of life and independence of persons with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

To protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have disabilities so that they can freely exercise their own life choices, enforce their rights, and fully participate in their community life.

From resolving medical debts to proving eligibility for public health insurance, obtaining services that should be covered by Medicaid, and helping with language or disability accommodations, helps to eliminate barriers to healthcare for people and families with low-income.

Provides legal services, advice and assistance to persons receiving care or alleged to be in need of care at inpatient and community based facilities for individuals with mental disabilities.

Provides assistance for children with disabilities who are having difficulty understanding or obtaining the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law. Works with state and local agencies and parents to identify and resolve inter-agency issues and jurisdictional disputes that impede access to services for children and youth who are hard-to-place and hard-to-serve because of their multiple disabilities. The primary objectives is to ensure that individual children receive the most appropriate community-based or residential services; minimize delays in arranging services; resolve service disputes; and facilitate the development of specific services and programs designed to meet the needs of children and youth, particularly those with non-traditional and complex needs.

Provides advocacy, referral services, daily living skills and mobility training, low vision exams, and education on available financial and living aid assistance.

Provides assistance in gaining and appealing SSDI, SSI, as well as administers Pooled Trust accounts.

Provides information and referral, family reimbursements, respite, advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, home care, recreation, training, and transportation planning services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Provides clinical services to individuals with disabilities and their families including treatment coordination during the eligibility process and while accessing additional agency services; advocacy with other agencies when additional services are needed; psychological services including assessments and therapy; social work; nursing services; nutrition services and rehabilitation counseling. As well as early identification assistance.

Provides assistance in gaining and appealing SSDI, SSI, as well as administers Pooled Trust accounts.

Provides representation to clients who have been denied Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits

Offers legal counseling and representation for people with physical, mental or developmental disabilities who have been victims of abuse, neglect or violated rights.

Advocate for an enhanced quality of life and independence of persons with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities.

Provides legal services, advice and assistance to persons receiving care or alleged to be in need of care at inpatient and community based facilities for individuals with mental disabilities.

Encourages individuals with a developmental disability to reach their optimum level of functioning and maintain this level within their home and their families.

Provides affordable housing, intensive skills training and ongoing support to individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. Intends to be transitional in nature and is designed to improve an individual's community living skills level to the point where they are able to move on to a more independent housing option.

Provides assistance with securing rights and benefits by educating individuals on their rights and abilities to self-advocate. Also provides peer advocates that are trained to assist individuals with disabilities in a one-on-one supportive setting, lead support groups to mentor other individuals with disabilities, and teach them to be self-advocate.