Advocacy Agenda for the Summer and Fall
Throughout the summer and fall we will be engaging our lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels to create new relationships and deepen ones that already exist. Beyond virtual meetings, we encourage Chapters and advocates to seek in-person interactions to convey the important work of providers of supports and services for people with I/DD.
In the “off-session” (June – December), developing relationships with the elected officials that represent you and your Chapter is a critical part of our collective advocacy efforts. We have seen far too often that the link to our representatives may not be as strong as we need to advance our advocacy efforts; this strategy aims to strengthen these connections.
We have created a brief resource sheet, which highlights some suggested activities to accomplish these goals, along with links to additional resources. Throughout the coming weeks and months we will supply additional information and ideas. Please be sure to use the survey link in the resource sheet to report on your interactions and/or email your update to Philip Aydinian, Director of Governmental Affairs [email protected].
A Call to Action: AHRC NYC Michael Goldfarb Memorial Symposium
On Tuesday, July 11, AHRC New York City will host its inaugural Michael Goldfarb Memorial Symposium, "A Call to Action: The Broader Implications of Recent U.S. Supreme Court Rulings for Disability Rights and Protections."
Speakers will explore these implications, discuss areas of action necessary now to counteract recent rollbacks on disability rights, and consider how to approach upcoming cases before the Court and their implications on the ground for people with disabilities.
The event will be held on On Tuesday, July 11 from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM at the CUNY Graduate Center, Proshansky Auditorium, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. The event is free, but you must RSVP soon as space is limited. Register and read more about the symposium here.
OPWDD Appoints New Executive Deputy Commissioner
Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Commissioner Kerri E. Neifeld announced on Monday that she was appointing Willow Baer to serve as the agency's new Executive Deputy Commissioner.
Ms. Baer most recently served as Assistant Counsel to the Governor and as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel at the Office of Children and Family Services. She returns to OPWDD after previously spending six years at the agency, most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel.
