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Reminder: Our Budget Requests
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A 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) to ensure funding accounts for the increased cost of living and providing services
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The Careforce Affordability Initiative to support affordable housing, childcare and healthcare for direct care staff
- Infrastructure Investments to ensure funding accounts for the increased cost of living and providing services to maintain facilities, meet state climate goals, and support innovative services
A detailed overview of our budget requests can be found in this info sheet, and in our October 24 Advocacy Update. Additional resources to support your advocacy are available in our Budget Advocacy Toolkit.
We urge you to add your personal perspective and voice through our one-click campaign. By participating, you will quickly send a letter to Governor Hochul telling her that support for New Yorkers with I/DD must be a priority in this year's Executive Budget
Registration Open for the Joint Legislative and Advocacy Forum
The Arc New York, NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, and DDAWNY are excited to share that registration is now open for the 2026 Joint Legislative & Advocacy Forum taking place in-person on February 9, 2026 in the Hart Lounge of The Egg at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.
The annual Joint Legislative & Advocacy Forum provides access to information on the 2026-27 Executive Budget proposal, upcoming legislation, advocacy strategies, and opportunities to engage leadership in the Senate and Assembly.
Family members, self-advocates, staff, and other key 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. Register Now!
NYDA Virtual Legislative Roundtables Recap
Over the past two weeks, New York Disability Advocates held a series of four virtual legislative forums to educate lawmakers on our budget priorities and policy recommendations for the coming year.
Across all regions of New York, providers, family members and advocates shared their stories and expertise with decision makers to help inform their actions before legislative session starts in January. Across all forums, legislators offered their advise and perspectives to help with our advocacy efforts and we thank them for their thoughtful insight. If you missed the forum in your region, you can view the recordings below:
Hochul Agrees to Sign Medical Aid in Dying Act
Governor Hochul announced that she will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID) that she will sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID) on the condition that a number of additional guardrails be included in the final bill. The conditions aim to ensure the integrity of the patient’s decision and the preparedness of medical institutions to appropriately administer medical aid in dying. The Legislature has agreed upon the amendments and the legislation will be passed and signed in January. The law will go into effect six months later.
This year, The Arc New York updated its position statement on MAID to include recommendations on additional guardrails to set in place. We understand that MAID is a sensitive topic, and it is essential that people with IDD are afforded the same rights as all New Yorkers, while having their safety and autonomy protected.
People should be aware of their rights and protections under the law, and we will be ever-diligent to ensure both are respected. Some of the changes made to the bill are outlined below. You can review the full Governor’s press release here.
- A mandatory waiting period of 5 days between when a prescription is written and filled.
- An oral request by the patient for medical aid in dying must be recorded by video or audio.
- A mandatory mental health evaluation of the patient seeking medical aid in dying by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
- A prohibition against anyone who may benefit financially from the death of a patient from being eligible to serve as a witness to the oral request or an interpreter for the patient.
- Limiting the availability of medical aid in dying to New York residents.
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