named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Assistive Technology and Literacy Instruction
Provides specialized literacy instruction and assistive technology integration to support communication, learning, and independence for students with significant disabilities
Physical Rehabilitation Program
Offers physical therapy services including postural control, movement development, and access to an on-site Aquatic Center for therapeutic exercise
Transition Services
Supports students in moving from school to adult life with programming focused on independence, community integration, and post-secondary readiness
Vision and Hearing Services
Delivers specialized instruction and accommodations for students who are blind, visually impaired, or have hearing loss, ensuring access to academic and social content
iHOPE Games
Annual event celebrating student achievement through adaptive sports and community engagement, formerly known as the iHOPE Summer Olympics
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Educational services for students with traumatic brain injury and multiple disabilitiesOperates a private school for students aged 5–21 with traumatic brain injury and multiple disabilities, serving over 80 students. Provides individualized educational programming with a focus on safety, compliance, and technology use.
-
-
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 1 activity
- Equity and access support for students with sensory disabilitiesWorks to ensure equity for students with vision and hearing loss by facilitating access to communication, academic content, and social interactions. Provided vision education services for students with disabilities starting in 2016.
-
-
Structured Literacy Instruction and Dyslexia Support 1 activity
- Professional development and capacity buildingProvides professional training for teachers and related service providers in assistive technology and literacy instruction to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
-
-
Adaptive Sports Programs 1 activity
- Specialized therapeutic and recreational facilitiesEstablished and operates the school’s Aquatic Center to expand therapeutic opportunities for students. Coordinates the iHOPE Games (formerly the iHOPE Summer Olympics) to celebrate student achievements and foster community engagement.
-
-
Specialized Therapy for Children with Disabilities 1 activity
- Therapeutic and assistive technology programsProvides occupational therapy services and develops specialized clinics for equipment, power chair, brace, and access assessments. Establishes model classrooms and school-based assistive technology centers to support students with significant disabilities.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Organizational leadership and program expansionSupported the growth and transition of iHOPE since 2014, including coordinating fundraising initiatives and events during its inception. Partnered with YAI in 2019 and relocated to a custom-designed facility in April 2022 to enhance comprehensive student support.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$32.64M
Contributions & grants$371K1%
Program service revenue$32.27M99%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$30.62M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$18.89M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$67.09M
Cash$4.59M
Investments$0
Liabilities$48.12M
Net assets$18.97M
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +18.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN CAREY | BOARD CHAIRMAN/CEO OF YAI (DECEASED) | 1 | $765K |
| SHANI CHILL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $293K |
| GARY MILCHMAN | ACTING CEO OF YAI | 40 | $285K |
| VANDA ANGELILLO | ACTING CFO OF YAI | 1 | $265K |
| GRETCHEN HANSER | DIR. ASSISTIVE TECH. | 40 | $181K |
| MEGAN F WENZEL | DIR. SPEECH, LANGUAGE | 40 | $168K |
| COURTNEY NELSON | DIR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $151K |
| JENNIFER HENSLEY | DIRECTOR - OCCUPATIONAL TH | 40 | $143K |
| CRISTINA BELARMINO | DIRECTOR-PHYSICAL THERAPY | 40 | $142K |
board members · 4
- DAVID SILVERMAN — SECRETARY
- ERIK PUTNAM — TREASURER
- IRENE CAVANAGH — DIRECTOR
- PETER TABACK — DIRECTOR
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Ithaca College Partner — Alma mater where Jennifer Hensley earned her MS in Occupational Therapy and BS in Marketing and Communication.
- New York State Association for Education and Rehabilitation for people with vision loss Partner — Board member organization focused on education and rehabilitation for individuals with vision loss.
- YAI Network — Member organization within the YAI network
- YAI Network — iHOPE is an affiliate of YAI, under which Courtney Nelson serves as Director of Operations.
- YAI Partner — Partner organization providing supportive programs and enabling relocation to a custom-designed facility in 2022.
- iHOPE Partner — Shani Chill previously served as Principal and Director of Vision Education Services at iHOPE, now oversees educational programming in connection with the organization.
- related service providers Partner — Collaborated with related service providers to coordinate the iHOPE Games.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Ability-Affirming Inclusive Educationmethodology: access_inclusion_modelBy designing educational experiences that honor students' unique abilities and reduce environmental barriers, we increase engagement and potential, because inclusion grounded in accessibility and affirmation fosters belonging, communication, and learning for students with vision, hearing, and physical disabilities.
- Evidence-Informed Programmingmethodology: evidence_based_practiceBy integrating emerging research into educational and clinical practices, we improve student outcomes, because evidence-based methods ensure that interventions are effective, current, and responsive to the needs of students with brain injuries and complex disabilities.
- Individualized, Multidisciplinary Support Modelmethodology: multidisciplinary_special_educationBy integrating specialized education, therapeutic intervention, assistive technology, and individualized instruction within a literacy-rich environment, we improve educational and developmental outcomes for students with brain injuries and complex disabilities, because holistic, student-centered programming addresses cognitive, physical, and communication needs simultaneously.
- Technology-Integrated Clinical Practicemethodology: assistive_technology_integrationBy embedding assistive and instructional technology into literacy and therapy programs, we enhance learning and therapeutic outcomes, because technology bridges gaps in access, communication, and motor control for students with significant disabilities.