One of New York State’s eight original Independent Living Centers, ARISE was founded in 1979 by people dedicated to the idea – which was revolutionary at the time – that people with disabilities should have equal rights.

Our first office was modest. In fact, the agency was housed in an old laundry room of Syracuse’s Saint Mary’s Hospital. Despite having only three staff, ARISE was at the forefront of the independent living movement and led early efforts to increase public accessibility in the Syracuse area.

ARISE quickly grew to meet the demand for services, opening satellite offices in Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties to more fully support people with disabilities living in Central New York. Some key highlights of ARISE’s historic growth include:

  • 1996 … ARISE opened its first satellite office in Oswego – an office that has grown from 4 to more than 25 full-time staff members.
  • 1996 … ARISE partnered with Toggenburg Ski Center to launch ARISE & Ski. Today, more than 80 people participate each ski season.
  • 1998 … ARISE received a horse farm located in Madison County as a gift from Dr. James Marshall. ARISE at the Farm offers a wide range of accessible, inclusive recreational opportunities including an accessible playground, open to the public, added in 2015.
  • 1999 … ARISE merged with Child and Family Service of Onondaga County – an agency that has provided social services to the community for over 100 years.
  • 2003 … ARISE established a formal presence in Madison County with the opening of an office in the Oneida One-Stop Career Center.
  • 2003 … ARISE partnered to launch an innovative initiative that offers mental health services in three Syracuse schools to children in need and their families. This service has expanded to dozens of schools throughout Onondaga and Oswego counties.
  • 2004 … ARISE was selected to operate a Statewide Systems Advocacy Network Center (Syracuse) and Support Site (Oswego).
  • 2005 … ARISE was selected to become the Regional Resource Development Center for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury for the eight-county Central New York region.
  • 2010 … ARISE expanded mental health services into Oswego County.
  • 2011 … ARISE is designated as the Center for Independent Living in Madison County.
  • 2014 … ARISE merged with Options for Independence in Auburn, NY providing services in Cayuga and Seneca counties.
  • 2015 … ARISE is certified as a National Health Services Corps Site, affording federal student loan repayment relief opportunities to our licensed professional staff members.
  • 2017 … ARISE is accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership, recognizing our person-centered, holistic approach to working with people on their individualized goals.
  • 2019 …ARISE renovates its building at 635 James Street to add 5000 square feet of additional program space, including a designated workshop for ARISE Adaptive Design.
  • 2020…ARISE builds an addition and renovates its existing barn at ARISE at the Farm, consolidating all Madison County services into a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary Independent Living Center.
  • 2021…ARISE consolidates work spaces in its Syracuse offices and initiates a hybrid work environment.
  • 2022…ARISE expands its Ramp program in Cayuga County.

ARISE now employs more than 800 staff members who advocate for the interests of people with disabilities and who work to deliver 50+ different programs and services. We are proud to be an active part of local, regional, state and national efforts to promote the independent living philosophy.

In the early 1970s, the expectations for the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities were low. A group of local parents banded together to educate physicians about interacting with families affected by disabilities.

This support group was known as Parent’s Information Group for Exceptional Children. In 1976, the organization was officially incorporated and two years later the group established its first direct services program. “Take a Break” was a respite program for children with developmental disabilities and their siblings. We still offer this service today.

Referral services were formalized and an adult social/recreation program was established to help ease the isolation of adults with developmental disabilities. During this time, we hired our first Executive Director and changed our name to Exceptional Family Resources.

When Medicaid waiver funding opened up new ways to provide services we hired our first service coordinator.  We then expanded our services to include Senior Outreach, Educational Advocacy, Residential Habilitation, and parent support in Cayuga, Madison, Oswego, and Cortland counties.

In 2022, EFR merged with Onondaga Community Living, an agency with similar services, values, and missions. OCL had been helping persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1987 with the same humble beginnings as EFR. OCL was the first “person-centered” service provider and was recognized internationally for breaking the mold of choices for people with disabilities. The successful book One Person at A Time was written about the nonprofit’s experiences and published by the Training Resource Network in 2001.

Located on Syracuse’s North Side, EFR is now represented by a staff of over 600 employees who provide direct care and office support. Our services have expanded to include 15 programs across four departments, which continue to provide services to consumers and their families.  In addition, EFR remains a leader in the developmental disabilities community as it responds to new opportunities presented by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.