Option’s Annual Conference provided an opportunity to view new programs and devices, and to participate in workshops designed to broaden our knowledge and understanding. The conference also served as a welcome chance to chat informally with others in the community about the work we do and the barriers faced by the people we serve.

During one of the many conversations I was a part of, a question was raised, quite innocently I might add, that truly provided a backdrop and reason for the efforts of Options’ staff (and most other not-for-profits in our community.) The question was in reference to the ballot marking device that makes it possible for some individuals with disabilities to physically go to their polling place to vote. The question was, “Why in the world do they go to all the effort to use these machines, when it’s so much easier to use an absentee ballot and vote from home?”

At first blush, this may sound like a reasonable question, especially since voting from home probably is easier for many individuals who are elderly or who have disabilities. What should happen, however, is that this question actually leads to greater introspection and a realization that, “Who am I to decide what is 'easier' or what is 'better' for these individuals?” And further, “What gives me or anyone else the right to determine how and where these folks vote? What right do I have to make that decision for them?”

The key here is really pretty simple. Most people with disabilities simply want the same opportunities as everyone else. They want to be able to make choices themselves. They want the same access to places, information and opportunities that are afforded people who are not disabled. They want to be regarded as equals. They want to be treated as equals.

So why do we have both absentee ballots and the on-site devices? Because all registered individuals, regardless of ability, income, age or circumstance, should equally have the choice to go to the polls or vote from home when it comes election time. That’s providing true accessibility to one of our most cherished individual rights.

That same degree of introspection and concern for equality must also be evident in decisions reached by our elected city and county officials. For example, legislators should ask the question, “What give me or anyone else the right to determine where individuals with disabilities can or cannot travel?” In this instance I refer directly to ongoing discussions regarding the installation or repair of sidewalks, the sidewalk-construction moratorium (No. 4?) and the lack of an effective, comprehensive sidewalk plan in the city of Auburn.

At the risk of “beating a dead horse,” as the saying goes, I must remind everyone that sidewalks are the roadways for many individuals with disabilities. It is our duty to ensure these individuals have the same access to places and opportunities as those who drive our streets. And please, I don’t want to hear someone say, “They can just walk or ride in the streets; they don’t need sidewalks,” as I heard from a resident speaking at a city council meeting last year. It is the height of ignorance to believe a person with a mobility or vision impairment can easily and safely walk down the middle of our streets!

It really is a simple concept: Everyone, regardless of ability, age or circumstance, should have equal access to people, places and opportunities. Accepting anything less is just wrong.

For the 78 consumers and advocates participating in Options’ Annual Conference last week, the air conditioning provided by the Auburn Holiday Inn was a welcome relief from the 95 degree outside temperature. And for many of these same attendees, the information and inspiration gleaned from the workshops they attended and the keynote speaker they heard was nothing short of phenomenal!

The day started with a welcome and Proclamation by Mayor Michael Quill, the second time in two days he graciously kicked-off an Options’ event (he welcomed eighty people to a Regional Ombudsman Training the previous day.) Following the obligatory introductions and housekeeping announcements, participants eagerly attended the first of two morning workshop sessions.

Unfortunately, between taking pictures and running errands as necessary, I was only able to catch portions of some of the workshop during the course of the day. I say ‘unfortunately,’ because those I DID attend were extremely interesting and very informative, and I found myself wishing for more time in each. Although some of the seminars may be discussed in greater detail in future columns, let me give you a sampling of what I saw and heard……

David Selover, from ENABLE, conducted the first of three sessions demonstrating and introducing dozens of devices that are available to assist individuals with disabilities. The hands-on demonstrations allowed everyone to get a real feel for the power of assistive technology. Some of the newer devices were incredible, and showed great promise for the disability community.

There was a well-attended and very interesting workshop entitled “Stress and the Caregiver,” presented by Corrine Ryan of the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, and another entitled “Future Planning,” by Anthony Marrone of Menter, Rudin & Trivelpiece, PC. Although I was unable to stay for much of their presentations, I know from talking with others that both provided a wealth of information and suggestions for the participants.

Jay Fish, a Disabilities Resource Coordinator from CNY Works, explained in-depth the process to obtain services that would support a successful return to work for SSI and SSDI recipients. This can be a difficult and daunting process for individuals with disabilities, and Jay was able to remove some of the mystery from various work incentive programs. His enthusiasm and ability to “work the audience” kept everyone on the edge of their seat and wanting more. Even I have a better understanding of the process now!

There was a terrific workshop dealing with Co-Dependency, presented by Cindy Cawley and Marguerite Ringwood of CHAD, and another that focused on Medicaid Managed Care and choosing the plan that’s right for each individual. Gale Gould, a FSMA Supervisor at the Cayuga County Department of Health and Human Services, led that discussion.

Although I didn’t have time to attend the workshop entitled “Incorporating Registered Therapy Pets into Your Program,” advocates who were present talked excitedly about the seminar led by Sue Gilberti, co-founder of Pet Partners of Syracuse. The same held true with Lauren Tenney’s presentation “The Freedom Discussions and deVOICED: Academia Meets Activism.” As people exited the workshop, I caught snatches of conversation including “great speaker” and “really interesting” and “wish we had two hours for this one!”

I was able to spend time with Susan Cohen, of Voting Access Solutions, both before and during her workshop on Voter Education. The Cayuga County Board of Elections graciously provided a Ballot Marking Device (BMD) for Options’ and Susan’s use at the Conference, and Stanton Automatics provided the necessary transportation to deliver and return the (somewhat delicate electronic) device to the new Board of Elections offices. Susan has been a consultant during the development and implementation of the BMD at election sites across the state, and travels extensively to provide trainings and hold workshops designed to remove the inherent fear of using the machines. Her presentation was free to the public and certainly well-received!

Probably the most highly anticipated portion of the Conference commenced shortly after the excellent luncheon provided by the Holiday Inn. Participants and attendees were treated to a keynote speech by Angela Winfield, Esq., an Auburn resident and successful attorney, as well as the founder of her own motivational speaking company, Blind Faith Enterprises, LLC. To be sure I don’t preempt a future Options’ column, I won’t discuss Angela’s wonderful presentation at this time. Let me just say that she held the audience in the palm of her hand with her courageous story and inspirational message. Look for more on her keynote speech in a future column!