News & Views 05.20.11

Join the Direct Support Professional Alliance of New York State

NYSACRA PARTICIPATES IN ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY

SHARED LIVING PROJECT

FORUMS ON EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES

NYSACRA STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS CONTINUES

OPWDD SEEKS "WORKS FOR ME" NOMINATIONS

SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE HISTORY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Earlier this week, the New York State Assembly celebrated Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day in Albany. The day-long event was sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Chair of the Task Force on People with Disabilities and Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, Chair of the MH/Developmental Disabilities Committee along with members of the Assembly Minority. Opening remarks and presentation of awards were held during the morning session of the annual event in the Legislative Office Building and a package of disability-related legislation was taken up on the Assembly Floor in the State Capitol later that afternoon. An art exhibit and poster contest exhibit were held throughout the day along with over 40 disability related exhibitors including NYSACRA. This year, two seminars highlighted Disability Awareness Day: "An Overview of the Revised ADA Regulations" and "Developing a Path to Employment for New Yorkers with Disabilities".

In 2007, NYSACRA embarked on a DDPC grant-funded exploration of Individualized shared living; we collected information from people and providers through regional forums and online surveys, did research, and then put it all together, into a paper (Shared Living paper) about values, the principles behind shared living, the ways it happens now, and the barriers that exist. NYSACRA has a second DDPC project, just getting underway, that will address three major themes: creating a learning community, facilitating mentoring between agencies, and collecting references/resources. If you are interested in learning more, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call anytime at 518-449-7551.

"New Employment Initiatives for New Yorkers with Disabilities" are being discussed in a series of forums around the state. The purpose of these forums is to inform all people with disabilities and providers about the employment initiatives that New York State will be rolling out in 2011 with the support of the NYS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (NY Makes Work Pay). These initiatives include the use of new computer technology (the New York Employment Services System-NYESS), increasing coordination of services, and improving access to work incentives and federal funds (e.g., Medicaid Buy-In, Ticket to Work and Earned Income Tax Credit). All people with disabilities and providers are welcome to attend. The remaining forums' locations/dates are:

• Buffalo WED MAY 25TH: 10am - 1pm (Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, 2nd floor Meeting Room, One Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203.). Lunch will be served. Lunch will be served.
• Southern Tier - Binghamton WED JUNE 8th: 10:00am- 1pm (Trinity Memorial Church 44 Main St., Binghamton, NY). Lunch will be served.
• New York City - Manhattan FRI JUNE 24TH: 11:00am-2:00pm (Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon, Brooklyn, NY 11201). Lunch will be served.

NYSACRA has a strategic plan that covers the period 2006 - 2011. As the current plan winds down, we have established a steering committee to guide our process toward a new plan, beginning in January of this year. The process of strategic planning is itself a valuable exercise as we plot our course for the future. It involves re-examining our mission, vision, and values in light of the external challenges facing our field and the internal strengths and weaknesses of the organization in order to then develop strategic objectives that will help us carry our mission forward. It involves collecting information from as many sources as possible. As always, we turn first to our members because they are the foundation of what we do. We used an online survey, asking all our members to evaluate what we do and provide suggestions for the future. In addition, we are conducting a number of deeper interviews with members around the region, other stakeholders, such as state agencies, parent and self advocacy organizations, and even non-members, about their perspectives on the field and how NYSACRA can best respond to the challenges ahead. We will shape the plan this summer based on all the feedback we have collected, and expect it to be ready in time to share with members at the annual Leadership Conference in November/December. We welcome as much feedback as you can send. We're excited to hear your ideas about shaping NYSACRA's future, so if you have anything to add to the discussion, you can email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text92721 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call anytime at 518-449-7551.

Although it's only May, before you know it, October will be here with its designation as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Each year, individuals and businesses are recognized for their successful employment relationships. OPWDD is seeking nominations by June 10 for recognition at their annual event to be held in Albany at The Egg on October 26, 2011. Please use these links for more information about Works for Me, the nomination form, and instructions.

Legislation has been introduced in the Assembly and the Senate to amend current law in relation to the instruction on the history of people with disabilities. A.4384 sponsored by Assemblyman Mark Schroeder and S.2352 sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti proposes to add history of people with disabilities to the list of mandatory subjects to be taught in both primary and secondary educational settings. The list of mandatory subjects also includes: patriotism, human rights, the Holocaust and the mass starvation in Ireland. The curriculum is currently in place in certain schools in Western New York.

NYSACRA has issued a memo in support of A.4384 and S.2352. Please send letters in support of the bills to your member of the State Assembly and member of the State Senate. To obtain the name and address of your Assemblymember and Senator, go to the NYSACRA Action and Education Center on our website at www.nysacra.org or go to the Assembly website at www.assembly.state.ny.us and the Senate website at www.nysenate.gov You may use the model letter to send to your State Legislators if you choose. To obtain the model letter, click here. To obtain NYSACRA's memo in support, click here.