Our Joint Legislative & Advocacy Forum with the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation will be held virtually February 14 and 15. The annual forum provides access to information on the 2022-23 Executive Budget proposal, upcoming legislation, advocacy strategies, and opportunities to engage leadership in the Senate and Assembly. Parents and family members, self-advocates, direct support professionals, not-for-profit agencies and other stakeholders will hear from presenters across a wide range of timely topics, reflecting the importance for us to be a strong voice in Albany this year and beyond.
The forum is free to attend, and participants will be able to enjoy the benefits of our program without driving to the NYS Capitol! Join us, and ensure you're informed and engaged as we begin the next stage of our advocacy from March to June.
Launch of the Willowbrook Mile on January 18
The College of Staten Island/CUNY, housed on the former site of the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, New York, is marking 2022 as The Year of Willowbrook, a year of public programming to commemorate several significant Willowbrook anniversaries. Programming will include the installation of the Willowbrook Mile, an interpretive walking trail on the Willowbrook campus. NYSARC's role as an advocate and plaintiff in the Willowbrook Case and resulting Consent Decree is recognized in the Mile. The initial launch will take place Tuesday, January 18 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. You can register for the event here.
The Willowbrook project at the College of Staten Island grew out of the historical project initiated by the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council partnered with other stakeholders – the College of Staten Island/CUNY, the NYS Institute for Basic Research (IBR), and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) – to establish a memorial walking trail that is now the Willowbrook Mile.
Send A Message of Thanks and Encouragement to Governor Hochul
We created a one-click campaign for you to send your own message to the governor, thanking her for keeping her promise to support people with I/DD and urging her to stay the course throughout the budget process. The letter can be personalized, so please feel free to tell your story from the heart.
The recognition of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and tangible investment in the governors State of the State packet represents a turning point for the I/DD field and the people they support. Advocates across the state have worked tirelessly to make New York state leaders understand and support our needs and goals. Governor Hochul heeded that call by including significant investments to support people with disabilities in her Executive Budget. This is just the start of a long budget process, but we are entering negotiations from a position of strength.
Please take a moment to extend your thanks to Governor Hochul and remind her how critically we need the promised investment. Your words and actions drive change, as demonstrated with the great advocacy success realized this week!
