May 8, 2025
The Boost News
Be sure to visit links for more information and, where applicable, to register. If you’d like to share your event or activity on The Boost, please contact us here. It would be great to have more activities around the state.
For a full list of organizations offering webinars in New York, check out Your One-Stop Guide to Navigating I/DD System and Services via Webinars & Workshops.
All are free unless otherwise noted.
Mon., May 12, 2025: Teen Parent Group: For parents of teenagers with developmental or physical disabilities. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Mon., May 12, 2025: Parenting with Pride and Disabilities (for parents of individuals identifying in the LGBTQIA+Community): Parenting a child with disabilities that also identifies in the LGBTQIA+ community can bring about many challenges and questions. This group offers a safe space for parents and caregivers to discuss this unique intersectionality and share experiences. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., May 13, 2025: In-Person Traveling with Your Special Needs Child/Adult: Staten Island. An in-person “Lunch & Learn.” Whether it’s a day trip or a long vacation, get tips and tricks for planning and implementing a trip with your family member with special needs. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., May 13, 2025: Westchester Meeting of the Family Support Services (FSS) Advisory Council: Agenda to include discussion of the upcoming RFP for new funds available for FSS programs; slate in formation and upcoming elections for the new Board; and summer opportunities to get involved in the Council. Time: 6:45 p.m. Zoom link. Questions: Contact Sandi Rosenbaum, secretary, Westchester FSSAC, fssacwestchesternews@gmail.com.
Tues., May 13, 2025: Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network: Relationships Skills Group is an inter-abled group for young adults with disabilities to learn and practice social skills.
Tues., May 13, 2025: Transition to Rockland Community College (RCC): Support Services Panel: Gain an understanding of the differences between high school and college disability services; how to access various support services and what the guidelines are for disability documentation; become aware of student, faculty, and Office of Accessibility Services rights and responsibilities at RCC and more. (Rockland Transition Consortium)
Thurs., May 15, 2025: The New OPWDD Ombuds Program Town Hall: Get your questions answered. Register now. (NYC Fair)
Thurs., May 15, 2025: 37th Annual Family Support Conference – Bronx Developmental Disabilities Council Inc.: Space is limited, pre-registration is required. First come, first served. No “at the door/on-site” registration.
Wed., May 21, 2025: Hear Our Voices! Disability Conversations Group, Topic: Disability Awareness: Join Brendan Klein and Liz Weintraub to learn about this past year’s Disability Awareness Month. Open to all NYS self-advocates. (Community Support Network)
Wed., May 21, 2025: Ending the Silence: Mental Health Awareness: Young people with disabilities such as autism or learning disabilities are up to five times more likely to develop mental health disorders than young people without other disabilities. In this presentation, participants learn the warning signs, steps to take, strategies to improve mental health, and more. It will also focus on how school districts and parents can work together to help students. (The Lower Hudson Valley Special Education Task Force)
Tues., May 27, 2025: What’s Normal?: How Research is Supposed to Work: It’s important to know what ethical research look like and what rights people have around how personal information is used in research studies. This webinar covers what normal research looks like; what rights we have around our personal information; the dangers of bad research; and more. (ASAN)
Mon., June 2, 2025: HOV Readers with Disabilities Book Club, Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network: HOV’s Readers With Disabilities Book Club is a social group for young adults of all reading levels who love books. Play book-ish games, talk about favorite reads, and discover new books with all types of disability representation. Hosted by Mo Kikoler. There is no required reading to join each meeting. (Community Support Network)
June 10, 2025: American Association of People with Disabilities’ Tech Forum: The focus of our upcoming forum is the recently promulgated ADA Title II regulation on web accessibility. This landmark regulation establishes legal obligations for all state and local governments to ensure their websites, mobile applications, and digital documents are accessible to individuals with disabilities. (The American Assn. of People with Disabilities)
Wed., June 18, 2025: Brooklyn Developmental Disability Council Family Support Fair: Meet nearly 70 agencies that offer support to people with intellectual and developmentally disabled in Brooklyn.
Wed., June 18, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025, Why is the Life Plan Important: Register by June 17. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Thurs., July 10, 2205: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025, Understanding IDGS & OTPS: Register by July 9. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Thurs., Aug. 14, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025: Understanding the budget template: Register by Aug. 11. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Tues., Sept. 9, 2025: Lunchtime Discussion: Self Direction 2025: Launched, Now What?: Register by Sept. 8. (Mid-Island Y JCC)
Photo: Attend Ending the Silence: Mental Health Awareness (Credit: Freepik.com)