1. s
p
a
T
L
I
G
H
T I ~.......---
Access to Independence of
Cortland County, inc.
cess.
In our last issue of PASS Tirnes, we
"spotlighted" the oldest ILC in New York
State, the Center for Independence of the
Disabled in New York. Inc. (CIDNY). We
thought we would bring you up to date by
introducing you to the newest ILC in New
York State, Access to Independence of
Cortland County, Inc. The PASS Cadres
wish to congratulate Frances Pizzola, the
agency founder and Executive Director,
for achieving her goal to establish an ILC
in Cortland CountY. We have special
interest .in Fran because she used a
PASS to help achieve her goal. (Fran's
PASS success story can be found on
page 2.)
fn a sledding accident at Cobleskill in
1981, Ms. Pizzola suffered a severe spinal
cord injury, which necessitates her use of
a wheelchair. Her own experiences and
difficulties prompted her to lobby for and
establish an ILC in Cortland County.
Access to Independence of Cortland
County, Ine became the 36th
ILC in New
York Stat.e in September 2000.
Frahc'.'b Plzzola has achieved her goal
and i$ ""W working on her mission:
The Miss;?}fi of Access to Indepeildence of
Cort/and : ,ouniy, lnc. is to promote
awareness of the barriers, both structural
and attitudinal, that affect the lives of
people with disabilities.
Access to Independence of
Cortland County, Inc.
Rm 200, County Office Building
60 Central Ave
Cortland NY 13045
. Telephone: 607-753-51135
FaxITTY: 607-753-4884
Frances A. Pizzola became eligible for disability
benefits in 1982 after a sledding accident resulted in a
severe spina! cord injury. In her own words, Fran
shares her experiences in returning to work.
glneligibility for Medicaid kept me from working. I had a
spend-down on Medicaid that. was a disincentive to
working. The more ! earned the more I paid toward
medica! cost. I was unable to find a job that would pay
enough for me to support myself. I worked part-time
and looked for work doing the traditional things,
sending out resumes and volunteering. I also furthered
my education obtaining a Master's Degree. No one
gave me an interview. This motivated me to become
pro-active, I began researching work incentive
programs, I bought guidebooks, and attended SSA
sponsored training's at regional Independent Living
Centers (ILC's). I felt confident in writing a PASS. The
problem was resolved through the PASS plan it was
the key to working again. Help I received from legal
Services of Central NY led to the eventual approval of
my plan. I credit Legal Services of Central NY for
seeing that the plan was written appropriately.
I think SSA should work jointly with regional ILC's
especially through the PASS Cadre's to help guide
people in the use of work incentives. i am a living
example of how to succeed, I want to help others-llC's
are peer support! The Social Security Administration is
moving in a good direction by establishing Cadre's to
help guide people in the use of work incentives. The
fear of losing health care keeps people from trying to
worle It was through creative thinking and support from
agencies, friends and family that I was able to fUld
employment that accommodates my lifestyle. The work
incentives are-confusing but the PASS allowed me to
follow a self-directing plan to my career goal that wHl
lead to the cessation of my SSDI benefits and
the~e~ention of Medicaid under 1619B. a
PASS Specialist not~; By supporting her PASS, Ms.
Pizzola was able to purchase a modified van, adaptive
equipment. mileage, and meals .while pursuing the
funding and other requiremems necessary to the
establishment of the Gerner. Once these steps were
achieved a salary was set and Ms. Pizzola's once
unpaid volunteer position became a paid salaried
position. Ms. Pizzoia compf.eted her PASS and her
SSI and ssm benefits ceased in June 2001 due to
her earnings. However, due to the proper timing of her
PASS, Ms. Pinola will retain Medicaid under Sec.
1619(bj.