Main Banner for New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
Patricia Edelstein,   
Chairperson
Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor
Sheila M. Carey,
Executive Director

New York State Disability Events

Click on the image-map below to find disability-related events in New York State.


List Your Disability Event

If your government or non-for-profit organization is holding a disability-related event in New York State between June 5, 2012 and July 15, 2012, and you would like us to list it in the Monthly Update, you can submit the information online by clicking the event submission link below:

 Event Submission Form

Contact Information

NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

99 Washington Avenue, 12th Floor
Suite 1230
Albany, New York 12210

Phone: 800.395.3372
FAX: 518.402.3505
Email Us
 

Upcoming NYS DDPC Open Meetings

DDPC Full Council Mtg.

May 30 - June 1, 2012

Childrens' Issues Committee Mtg.

No Meetings Scheduled
Systems Committee Mtg:

No Meetings Scheduled

Adult Issues Committee Mtg.

No Meeting Scheduled

*** Notice ***

Open Government and the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).

All DDPC meetings are held in Albany, NY unless otherwise noted. Under law, the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) meetings and DDPC Standing Committee meetings are open meetings. If the public wants to attend, they can attend as observers. Participants may be asked to leave during breaks in the deliberations and when the meeting goes into executive session.

For more information, please contact the DDPC directly at 1.800.395.3372.

People First Language

The DDPC strictly adheres to and encourages the use of people first language. However you may note that in some articles/stories appearing in the E-Bulletin the language used is not always entirely people first. Articles submitted to the DDPC are taken verbatim from the source and are therefore not edited by the DDPC for correct people first language due to copyright restrictions.

Link to New York Acts Website

NYACTS is a website designed to provide current information on New York State services and supports for individuals with autism. Autism is on the rise in New York State and around the country. It is estimated that more than 60,000 New York State residents have a diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and that the incidence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. New York State government needs to be united in its efforts to respond to these dramatic statistics. The formation of the Interagency Task Force on Autism has helped to ensure that state agencies are working together to assist individuals and families struggling with ASD.


Governor Cuomo Announces first in the Nation Reforms to Protect People with Special Needs and Disabilities

On May 7, 2012, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled new legislation to establish the strongest standards and practices in the nation for protecting people with special needs and disabilities. Governor Cuomo's legislation will create a new Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, an initiative that will transform how the state protects over one million New Yorkers in State operated, certified or licensed facilities and programs. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE>>

Administration for Community Living (ACL)

On April 16th, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new organization within the Department of Health and Human Services – the “Administration for Community Living” (ACL). The ACL will include the efforts and achievements of the Administration on Aging, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in a single agency with the goal of increasing access to community supports and full participation, while focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of older Americans and people with disabilities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hhs.gov/acl.

From Awareness to Respect

Sharon Lewis, Commissioner for the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, has written a guest blog in honor of March’s Disability Awareness Month theme titled, “From Awareness to Respect.”

To read this Commissioner Lewis’s blog visit:
http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2012/03/26/from-awareness-to-respect/  

Anti-Bullying Resources

HHS and U.S. Department of Education Launch New Stop Bullying Website

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. Department of Education has teamed up to create a new “Stop Bullying” website. This enhanced site has new resources for children, parents, educators, and communities to take action to prevent and respond to bullying. READ>>

Education Updates

Special Education Announcements
 
The Board of Regents has approved for permanent adoption of the amendment sections 200.4 and 200.16 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to preschool and school-age individual evaluations.

NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance

The New York State Health Department has released the immunization requirements for school entrance and attendance.

Going to College: A Web site for Students with Disabilities Interested in College 
  
Going to College is a Web site with information about college life, designed for high school students with disabilities.

Getting Accommodations at College

The Transitions RTC has produced a tip sheet outlining the supports and services colleges are required to offer students with mental health challenges. READ>>

Find an accessible playground

An accessible playground means it's as easy as possible for everyone to play, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Now, more than ever, to meet ADA and due to community pressure, playgrounds are being built with an eye towards accessibility and usability. Thanks to Accessibleplayground.net, you can search for playgrounds via its directory, educate yourself about accessible play, find resources on all aspects of designing and building a playground in your community, and more.

To view this site visit: http://www.accessibleplayground.net/  

Increasing Emergency Preparedness Survey

Volunteers are invited to participate in a research study titled “Increasing Emergency Preparedness.” The purpose of this study is to help researchers understand how to better prepare more people for disasters. READ>>

More Doors Opening For Self-Advocates

A national group has recently launched that has a growing number of opportunities for people with disabilities to take a lead in the advocacy community. The new group known as the National Council of Self -Advocates, is an initiative of The Arc and is open to the organization’s members with disabilities from across the country. READ>>

Nominations for National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Each October, ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services- Vocational Rehabilitation) has the opportunity to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and celebrate the work of all their partners, who join together, and make the connection between businesses seeking qualified workers and workers, who just happen to be individuals with abilities. READ>> 

NYSDOT Offers Financial Assistance for Accessible Vehicles

The New York State Department of Transportation is accepting applications for projects to provide federal financial assistance for the purchase of accessible vehicles to meet the transportation needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. READ>>

OPWDD Redesigns Website

OPWDD is in the process of redesigning their website.  The redesigned site will continue to have the address http://www.opwdd.ny.gov.  However, if you have the specific pages of the current website bookmarked or listed in your favorites, you will have to re-designate the bookmark or favorites, as the old URL’s will no longer be working.  READ>>

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf and the USGA Offer Funding for Accessible Golf

The National Alliance for Accessible Golf and the United States Golf Association (USGA) are currently accepting grant applications for the USGA Alliance grants program. The program is designed to provide financial assistance and resources to help make the game of golf more accessible to people with disabilities. READ>>