More News March 7, 2025
One-house budget proposals not expected to delay N.Y. Medicaid home care changes (Spectrum News 1)
Home care at risk for thousands in NY as April 1 deadline looms (Times Union)
NY says 88K people enrolled in home aide program as deadline looms (Times Union)
Democrats say threat of Medicaid cuts not a factor in NY’s budget (Times Union)
Republicans need to cut Medicaid to hit budget savings target, Congressional Budget Office finds (The Hill)
Fact check: The war of words over Medicaid cuts (Roll Call)
Uncertainty over federal funding could mean ‘world of trouble’ for NY Medicaid (Buffalo News via Empire Report)
Draft executive order set for Thursday calls for closing Education Dept. (Washington Post)
What schools can do to prepare students with disabilities for college success (K-12 Dive)
Problems Nag Illinois’ Efforts to Move Disabled to Group Homes (Chicago Tribune)
An Illinois county’s disability group offers new mobile changing unit for local events (Springfield News Sun)
What Social Security Shake-Up Could Mean For People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop)
Feeling Anxious? There’s a Sweatshirt for That (Wall Street Journal)
Meet the Westchester Team Competing in the Special Olympics World Games
More Developmental Disability News for Week Ending March 7, 2025
An executive order to close the Department of Education, NYS’s CDPAP transition fiasco goes down to the wire, clothing for the tactile-sensitive, and more for the week ending March 7, 2025.
SPOTLIGHT on CDPAP: Isn’t It Romantic
Is there a contingency plan should all those served by the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program not be registered with PPL by the March 28 deadline? No one seems to know. In the meantime, Assemblymember Carl Heastie gave a whopper of a quote, and more CDPAP news:
One-house budget proposals not expected to delay N.Y. Medicaid home care changes (Spectrum News 1)
“‘You’re always going to have some tough spots when you make a huge change like this,’ Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters. “‘[As of] March 5, I’m not willing to entertain (a delay) at this point. … My romantic wish would be to see everybody who needs this program and the services to get signed up and there to be a smooth transition.'”
Several other state lawmakers, Spectrum News 1 reports, “said they don’t expect the Senate or Assembly’s counter budget offer to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s spending plan will amend the controversial change.” The news site writes that “last-minute legislative action is common in the state,” and that it could be “the witching hour of the April 1 deadline” before a delay is considered.
Senate Disabilities Committee Chair Patricia Fahy noted that there’s still time. “We know how to do things at the last-minute,” she said. “Right now, the pressure needs to stay on getting those enrollments in. … As difficult as that may be, we’re all trying to give it a few more weeks here.'”
Home care at risk for thousands in NY as April 1 deadline looms (Times Union)
NY says 88K people enrolled in home aide program as deadline looms (Times Union)
MEDICAID
Democrats say threat of Medicaid cuts not a factor in NY’s budget Lawmakers have signaled that they are not accounting for any potential future federal spending reductions.
Republicans need to cut Medicaid to hit budget savings target, Congressional Budget Office finds (The Hill)
Fact check: The war of words over Medicaid cuts (Roll Call)
Uncertainty over federal funding could mean ‘world of trouble’ for NY Medicaid (Buffalo News via Empire Report)
EDUCATION
Draft executive order set for Thursday calls for closing Education Dept. The department administers federal grant programs. including the $15.5 billion program that helps cover the cost of education for students with disabilities. (Washington Post)
After monthlong pause, Trump admin resumes investigating disability complaints at schools (USA Today)
What schools can do to prepare students with disabilities for college success Weaving supports across general ed curriculum and working with local colleges to create workshops are key. (K-12 Dive)
STATE NEWS
Problems Nag Illinois’ Efforts to Move Disabled to Group Homes Among the 50 states, Illinois trailed only Texas in the number of people housed in state-run residential facilities for people with I/DD in fiscal 2020. (Chicago Tribune, paywall)
Colo. State department apologizes to families, promises to maintain funding for young kids with disabilities State officials apologized for a memo sent last week that indicated services would be cut. (Colorado Public Radio)
Supplemental budget saves Maryland Developmental Disabilities Agency funding The I/DD community in Maryland has had a brutal time of it, and challenges still lay ahead. (WYPR)
An Illinois county’s disability group offers new mobile changing unit for local events The unit aims to improve services for people who use wheelchairs at community events. (Springfield News Sun)
SOCIAL SECURITY
What Social Security Shake-Up Could Mean For People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop)
AUTISM
Trump’s war on DEI comes for programs helping autistic students find jobs in STEM (The Independent)
Student’s View: I’m Autistic. Special Education Failed Me (The 74)
CAREGIVING
The Crisis of Special Needs Parent Support: Author Post “Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs face a relentless, two-front war.” (Forbes)
INNOVATIVE CLOTHING
Feeling Anxious? There’s a Sweatshirt for That There’s a growing market for clothing brands that promise options for the tactilely sensitive. (Wall Street Journal)
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Meet the Westchester Team Competing in the Special Olympics World Games
Queensberry’s Liza Ambrosini Heading to Italy for Special Olympics World Games
Wappingers Falls Resident to Compete in Special Olympics World Games
Two Rochester-are residents head to Italy for Games
Tell Your Legislators to Protect Medicaid Dollars: These Organizations Make It Easy!
Medicaid-funded services are a lifeline for the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) community. A cut in federal Medicaid dollars would put New York providers and the individuals they support “in an epic level of crisis,” Sen. Patricia Fahy, chair of the Disabilities Committee, told The Boost.
But that’s exactly what New Yorkers and the rest of the country could be facing. Despite President Trump’s public statements that Medicaid would not be touched, he has endorsed a House budget bill that could lead to brutal cuts in the program.
While the GOP also claims massive cuts are not coming, it’s been widely reported that GOP lawmakers are considering, at minimum, a plan to limit federal matching funds for the program.
Add to this a report released this week by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which found that Republicans can’t achieve their goal of slashing $2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade without cutting Medicaid, and the program looks very much in risk.
To help stave off the cuts, now is the time to speak up. A host of organizations have done the hard work for you, putting together everything from Medicaid fact sheets to talking points to make reaching out to your legislators easy and efficient to do. Below you’ll find the needed information from various organizations, including a plain language action alert from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).
ANCOR
Resources:
How to advocate:
This association of community-based providers has created a toolbox to help you educate policymakers on the essential, life-changing services funded by Medicaid.
Visit Advocate to preserve I/DD services for an easy-to-use form with information on how tell your Senators and Representative to reject Medicaid cuts and protect services for people with I/DD.
THE ARC US
Resources:
The Arc NY Medicaid Fact Sheet
The Arc New York & NYDA’s Congressional District Info Sheets Use these district-specific info sheets and maps to inform your representative of the local impact in their district.
Storytelling Toolkit for People With Disabilities and Advocates
How to advocate:
The Arc US one-click campaign is here. This will send a letter directly to your Congressional representative.
In addition to sending the letter, there are options within the one-click to:
- Be directly connected via phone to your representative
- Send a pre-written message via X/Twitter to your representative
AUTISTIC SELF ADVOCACY NETWORK (ASAN)
Resources & how to advocate:
ASAN has a new plain language Action Alert all about Medicaid.
You can learn everything you need to know about what is happening with Medicaid in Congress right now by reading its plain language Action Alert. The Action Alert will tell you:
- What is happening with Medicaid in Congress right now
- How to talk to your Representative and Senators by scheduling a meeting, talking on the phone, or sending an email
- Ideas and scripts for what you can say to your Representative and Senators about protecting Medicaid
Once you’ve read the alert, you’ll have everything you need to take action to save Medicaid.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation is sharing these excellent resources:
NYS Legislative Meeting Talking Points
Importance of Medicaid to the I/DD System
NYS Virtual Webinars Starting March 7, 2025
WEBINARS & MORE
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.
Sat., March 8, 2025: GiGi’s Educator Symposium: Join a team of experienced educators and therapists from across the GiGi’s Playhouse Network to learn how to teach individuals with Down syndrome the way they learn best.
Thurs., March 13, 2025: General Information Session to Learn More about Supported Decision-Making NY: Learn more about supported decision-making (SDM), and the SDMNY facilitation process. (SDMNY)
Thurs., March 13: 2025: SDMNY Sign-Up Session for Supported Decision-Makers: This session is required for individuals who wish to sign up to participate in SDMNY’s facilitation process to create a Supported Decision-Making Agreement. (SDMNY)
Thurs., March 13, 2025: Residential Placement Online Discussion Group for Parents: For families with children and adults of all ages that currently have children in residential school or a group home. Support and conversation. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Thurs., March 13th, 2025, Thurs., March 27, 2025 or Thurs., April 10, 2025: Planning Timeline for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from Middle High School to Post-Secondary Outcomes (AHRC NY)
Fri., March 14, 2025: Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council (BKDDC) Residential & Housing Committee Meeting: Learn about available housing options and services. Time: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Meeting ID: 893 1417 0361 Passcode: 955407
Mon., March 17, 2025: What You Need to Know about Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., March 18, 2025: Self-Direction for Individuals with OPWDD: Get a better understanding of self-direction including the process, things to think about regarding a broker, what can be included in a budget and what is a fiscal intermediary. (Rockland Community Services)
Tues., March 18, 2025: Parents Considering a Residential Placement Discussion Group (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., March 19, 2025: Advocating at the IEP Meeting: Strategies for Success (AHRC New York City)
Wed., March 19, 2025: Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting: Disability Conversations Group has educational talks about living with disabilities in an accessible way. Different topics and speakers are chosen each month. (WIHD’s Community Support Network)
Fri., April 4, 2025: April Autism Acceptance Family Engagement Forum:An event dedicated to supporting families and professionals working with children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This forum will feature expert discussions, valuable resources, and guidance on accessing autism-related services. (Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program)
Sat., April 5, 2025: Youth Abilities Fair: A Special Needs Resource Fair: Suffolk County. Includes a sensory room and magic show. Address: Middle Country Public Libraries, Eastwood Blvd., Centereach, N.Y. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In partnership with Middle Country SEPTA)
Tues., April 15, 2025: Special Education Training: Tools to empower you at every step of navigating the special education system. (New York Lawyers for the Public Interest)
Stock photo: Supported Decision Making takes a team. (Credit: Freepik)
NYS Rec and Entertainment Starting March 7, 2025
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.
Sat., March 15, 2025: Take a Deep Breath Interactive Concert: Bronxville. An interactive concert for the developmental disability community. Cost: $6 – $12. (Concordia Conservatory)
Fri., March 21, 2025: Fun Friday – Dance Aerobics: West Nyack. Ages 14 – 24. GYMGUYZ will lead a dance aerobics class. Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Where: Besso Community Room, 4th floor, Palisades Mall by the ice rink. To learn more, contact Emily Rocks at ERocks@BridgesRC.org or (845) 624-1366 Ext. 107.
Sat., March 22, 2025: Sensory-Friendly Screening of Disney’s Snow White: Bedford Playhouse in Bedford.
Six Sundays starting March 23, 2025, ending May 11, 2025: Inclusive Lacrosse with Able Athletics: Bedford, N.Y. Athletes participate in inclusive sessions designed to foster teamwork, skill-building, and confidence in a supportive, adaptive environment. All abilities welcome with activities tailored to needs.
Thurs., March 27, 2025 – Sat., March 29, 2025: Marvels of Media Festival: Astoria (Queens) at the Museum of the Moving Image. This wonderful festival recognizes the outstanding media work of autistic media-makers through an exhibition, film screenings, and in-depth panel discussions.
Thurs., March 27, 2025: Monthly Open Mic: Cos Cob, Conn. Welcoming space where people of all abilities can share their talents, connect, and celebrate music together. (Especially Everyone and River House)
Thurs., April 3, 2025 – Wed., April 9, 2025: 17th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival New York: The festival is committed to reframing disability through the power of film.
Year-Round
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym: There are two New York-based We Rock the Spectrum franchises, one in New Rochelle (Westchester County), the other Staten Island. Locations in Brooklyn and Long Island in the works.
AMC Sensory-friendly films: Ten AMC movie theaters around New York State offering sensory-friendly screenings. Go to the link to find the ones near you.
The Boost’s Guide to the Best Museums for People with Developmental Disabilities Added: Jackie Robinson Museum in Manhattan!
The Boost’s 2024 Westchester County Recreation Resource List (Children and Adults)
I Love NY’s Accessible Places and Programs
Photo: Dance aerobics in Rockland County (stock photo) Credit: Pexels.com
Homepage roundup Feb. 28, 2025
Elon Musk keeps tweeting the ‘R-word.’ Disability advocates say he needs to stop. (USA Today)
After Maine native testifies before Congress, Elon Musk targets his disability (pressherald.com)
As G.O.P. Eyes Medicaid Cuts, States Could Be Left With Vast Shortfalls (nytimes.com)
House Vote Tees Up Billions In Cuts To Medicaid, Disability Services (Disability Scoop)
Concerns mount over potential loss of Medicaid funds for schools
Red states try to backtrack after suing to end disability rights. Critics say their statement is legally toothless. (fastcompany.com)
New York lawmakers and advocates push for increased funding for disability services (cbs6albany.com)
Connecticut State lawmakers approve special education funding despite Lamont’s objection (nbcconnecticut.com)
Disability awareness could become part of Florida’s school curriculum (Floridapolitics.com)
Senate advances bill to ban use of corporal punishment on disabled Oklahoma school children (oklahomavoice.com)
Developmentally disabled Missourians suffer abuse, death in state’s dysfunctional system (missouriindependent.com)
Colorado to slash care to young children with developmental disabilities (denverpost.com)
Kids’ disability rights cases stalled as Trump began to overhaul Education Department (Chalkbeat.org)
Teens with disabilities were getting help with life after high school. Then DOGE started cutting. (Chalkbeat.org)
Special education enrollment climbs to nearly 8M (k12dive.com)
More Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Feb. 28, 2025
Potential Medicaid cuts has people on edge, special ed enrollment climbs, Kelly Clarkson spotlights inclusive businesses and more developmental disability news for week ending Feb. 28, 2025.
SPOTLIGHT: ELON MUSK’S CONTEMPT FOR DISABLED
The richest man in the world and haphazard slasher-in-chief of federal programs keeps on mocking people with disabilities.
Elon Musk keeps tweeting the ‘R-word.’ Disability advocates say he needs to stop. In the last week alone, Musk has included it in at least three tweets. Both Musk and President Trump “perpetuate the ignorance, hate and violence that has harmed, and in many cases destroyed, the lives of disabled people in the past and in more recent times.” (usatoday.com)
After Maine native testifies before Congress, Elon Musk targets his disability A man’s testimony about how to reduce waste, fraud and abuse resulted in this tweet from Musk, followed by two laughing emojis: “blind director of watchdog group funded by George Soros testifies that he does not see widespread evidence of government waste.” (pressherald.com)
MEDICAID
As G.O.P. Eyes Medicaid Cuts, States Could Be Left With Vast Shortfalls (nytimes.com)
House Dems warn GOP plan is ‘devastating’ for 7 million New Yorkers on Medicaid (nystateofpolitics.com)
House Vote Tees Up Billions In Cuts To Medicaid, Disability Services (Disability Scoop)
Concerns mount over potential loss of Medicaid funds for schools School advocacy groups warn congressional leaders that cuts to Medicaid would jeopardize school-based healthcare for students who have disabilities and who come from low-income families. (k12dive.com)
SECTION 504
Backlash leads Republican attorneys general to declare support for a landmark disability rights law The 17 Republican state attorneys general who submitted a lawsuit targeting the addition of a gender identity-related disorder to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — which prohibits, among other things, discrimination on the basis of disability in K-12 schools and higher education institutions that receive federal financial assistance — have “clarified” their position and told a federal judge that they support protecting disabled people’s rights. (apnews.com)
Red states try to backtrack after suing to end disability rights. Critics say their statement is legally toothless. (fastcompany.com)
NEW YORK
New York lawmakers and advocates push for increased funding for disability services (cbs6albany.com)
Kelly Clarkson Show Spotlights NY ‘businesses that thrive’ hiring people with autism, neurodiversity (Youtube)
MTA to revive popular program that allows students with autism to record PSAs for NYC’s subway system The 2024 cancellation of the program didn’t last long. (nypost.com)
OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK
Connecticut State lawmakers approve special education funding despite Lamont’s objection The bill has been sent to the governor. (nbcconnecticut.com)
Disability awareness could become part of Florida’s school curriculum (Floridapolitics.com)
Senate advances bill to ban use of corporal punishment on disabled Oklahoma school children (oklahomavoice.com)
Developmentally disabled Missourians suffer abuse, death in state’s dysfunctional system (missouriindependent.com)
Colorado to slash care to young children with developmental disabilities It’s due to “emergency cost containment measures” to early intervention programs. (denverpost.com)
TRUMP ADMIN & EDUCATION
Kids’ disability rights cases stalled as Trump began to overhaul Education Department (Chalkbeat.org)
DOGE blocked from accessing Education Department’s sensitive student data until March 10 The Privacy Act bars federal agencies from sharing personal information “to any person, or to another agency,” except for in limited circumstances. (K12dive.com)
How Department of Education cuts could hurt resources for students with disabilities (pbs.org)
Teens with disabilities were getting help with life after high school. Then DOGE started cutting. (Chalkbeat.org)
EDUCATION
Special education enrollment climbs to nearly 8M The number of students with disabilities, ages 3-21, could jump by about 1 million students between 2021 and 2025 if the current rate of increase continues. Schools already show the strain. (k12dive.com)
JUSTICE SYSTEM
‘Not a get-out-of-jail-free card:’ Should autism, other disabilities be considered in court? (wmar2news.com)
STUDIES
People with intellectual disabilities can get smarter as they age I take studies with a grain of salt, but who wouldn’t want to read this one? (Times of Israel)
Photos Show 24/7 Role Parents Play Caring for Medically Fragile Children at Home
NOTE: The slide show below, The Boost has discovered, is best seen on a larger screen. It’s not an optimal user experience on a mobile device. We are trying to fix.
At-home health care is of critical importance for medically fragile children, especially those who are disabled and would otherwise be forced to live in institutions. But a critical in-home nursing shortage has meant that parents must make up for chronic gaps of care to keep their children safe at home.
This is not a job for the fainthearted. Homes often resemble mini-intensive care units and require families to do the same level of work as a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. Many are forced to leave careers in order to give their children the needed attention to survive. (See the startling statistics after the slide show.)
A New York State bill, the Complex Care Assistant Act — reintroduced this year in both the State Assembly and Senate — aims to mitigate the impact of the in-home nursing shortage. It would establish a program for individuals — who’d be hired by and receive support from a nursing agency — to become complex care assistants for certain Medicaid enrollees. It currently sits in the Senate and Assembly Health committees.
The slideshow below features photos from New York-based families who take care of medically fragile children with disabilities. These families, like countless others, spend hours on the phone with pharmacies, durable medical equipment companies, therapists, and doctors offices in order to ensure that their children have what they need.
Additionally, they must learn the skills required to utilize equipment including CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines and central venous catheters, handle complex medication regimens and seizure management, and take care of daily living skills ranging from transfers, toileting and dressing to special diets. And all this is just the tip of the iceberg.
New York State resident Ashley has a one-year-old son, Logan, who has TUBA1A, a rare genetic condition that has caused brain anomalies. He is tracheostomy/ventilation/and gastrostomy tube (G-tube) dependent. This photo shows just some of his one-month supplies.
A Dire Situation
The most prominent barrier to accessing quality home care services, reports the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA), “is a shortage of workforce, a hurdle that can be even higher when considering home care services that specialize in pediatrics. Home care workforce shortages are driven by difficult hiring practices, variable training requirements, and most significantly, inadequate payment.”
And according to a study published by the AAP this month (February 2025), the pediatric home health care population “has increased in America, with approximately 1 in 20 children discharged from a hospital to home with specialized durable medical equipment and/or home health care services.”
Here are some other key bullet points from the study:
- “Home health care services [should be] delivered by a range of health professionals, including RNs, home health aides, and therapists, based on the skill level needed for a child’s care tasks. Notably, however, in current common practice, care tasks of all skill types are delivered in part or even in whole by family caregivers, typically unpaid and without work-hour restrictions.
- “Numerous qualitative studies have linked inadequate home health care to poor health outcomes including emergency department visits, additional medical procedures, and non-medically necessary hospitalization.
- “Home health care gaps result in significant parental stress and negative health consequences. … These studies have [also] demonstrated how caregivers can often feel overwhelmed and unsupported, even becoming socially isolated, which further worsens their caregiving capacity.
- “A recent national-based study found that families of children with special health care needs … lost an average of $18 000/year per family to care for their child’s medical needs.”
To learn more, read Guest Post: Why We Need the New York Complex Care Assistant Act. Posted last year, it remains timely and links to a Facebook page where you can find ways to advocate.
Photo: Just some of the equipment and supplies needed by a young girl named Rian. She has CDKL5 deficiency disorder, which causes uncontrollable seizures. She’s nonverbal, has cognitive impairment, and is severely delayed. She also cannot walk, requires full nutrition and hydration, and all of her meds are through her G-tube. Rian has an implanted heart loop monitor that tracks her Ventricular Tachycardia. She also requires 2 liters of daily oxygen due to her respiratory distress and very low desaturations. Additionally, Rian receives multiple medications four times a day. She requires her chest vibration vest at least twice daily and nebulizer treatments twice daily with her chest PT.
NYS Virtual Webinars Starting Feb. 28, 2025
WEBINARS & MORE
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.
Fri., Feb. 28, 2025 : Diploma and Credential Options for Students with Disabilities: Participants will learn about self-determination skills and its relation to students determining an individualized pathway to graduation from multiple options. (FACE, NYSED OSE Partnership, LHRPC and Mount Vernon City School District)
Mon., March, 3, 2025- Thurs., March 6, 2025: Employment and You! Resources and Strategies for Success: Statewide experts on employment resources for people with disabilities including contacts and methods that can help support and keep a job. (Univ. of Rochester Medical Center and WIHD)
Tues., March 4, 2025: NYC FAIR’s Virtual Town Hall: What’s in the State budget? What’s not? Find out here. You can submit questions prior to the event.
Tues., March 4, 2025: EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for Families: This presentation will guide parents through the process of transitioning their child from Early Intervention to the Committee on Preschool Special Education. (FACE and. NYSED OSE Partnership)
Tues., March 4, 2025: General Info Session to Learn More about Supported Decision-Making: Learn more about supported decision-making (SDM) and the SDMNY facilitation process. Includes time for Q&A. (Supported Decision-Making NY [SDNY])
Wed., March 5, 2025: Support for Neurodivergent Children and Adults Experiencing Grief: Explore the impact of grief and loss on children and adolescents with ASD and their families. Topics covered will include typical progression of grief and bereavement and ways children and adults on the spectrum may experience and express grief differently from the neurotypical population. (Stony Brook University LEND)
Wed., March 5, 2025 – April 2025: 2025 National Self-Direction Conference: Virtual Series (Applied Self-Direction)
Sat., March 8, 2025: GiGi’s Educator Symposium: Join a team of experienced educators and therapists from across the GiGi’s Playhouse Network to learn how to teach individuals with Down syndrome the way they learn best.
Wed., March 12, 2025: SibSpace Lecture Series: Supporting + Empowering Families to Manage Conflict and Prevent Crises: Families can learn how to foster understanding, build stronger connections, and handle difficult moments with confidence with their neurodiverse adults. Open to families, siblings and professionals. (NY START)
Thurs., March 13, 2025: Residential Placement Online Discussion Group for Parents: For families with children and adults of all ages that currently have children in residential school or a group home. Support and conversation. (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Mon., March 17, 2025: What You Need to Know about Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Tues., March 18, 2025: Self-Direction for Individuals with OPWDD: Get a better understanding of self-direction including the process, things to think about regarding a broker, what can be included in a budget and what is a fiscal intermediary. (Rockland Community Services)
Tues., March 18, 2025: Parents Considering a Residential Placement Discussion Group (Parent to Parent of NYS)
Wed., March 19, 2025: Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting: Disability Conversations Group has educational talks about living with disabilities in an accessible way. Different topics and speakers are chosen each month. (WIHD’s Community Support Network)
Wed., March 26, 2025: College Pathways for Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Information on college options for students with intellectual disability and highlight resources available for students and families on the Think College website, including the only national directory of these programs in the country. Cost: $25. (Think College)
Sat., April 5, 2025: Youth Abilities Fair: A Special Needs Resource Fair: Suffolk County. Includes a sensory room and magic show. Address: Middle Country Public Libraries, Eastwood Blvd., Centereach, N.Y. Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In partnership with Middle Country SEPTA)
NYS Rec and Entertainment Starting Feb. 28, 2024
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.
Sat., March 1, 2025: Music for Autism Virtual Concert: The concerts feature professional musicians, including Tony Award winners, Grammy-nominated classical artists, and Pulitzer Prize winners. To ensure equal access for all, every Music for Autism concert is fully subsidized. (Music for Autism)
Sun., March 2, 2025: Sensory-Friendly Screening of A Bug’s Life: Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.
Wed., March 5, 2025: Spread the Word Inclusion Day at Sleepy Coffee, Too: In Sleepy Hollow. Showcasing the impact of inclusive language and actions for individuals of all abilities. “Kindness activities” for all ages throughout the day and from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. an inclusion rally with speakers. Contact Sleepy Coffee for more info.
Wed., March 5, 2025: Silver Screen Legends Virtual Inclusive Dance Party: Celebrate the Academy Awards and dance to some legendary soundtracks. (Daniel’s Music Foundation)
Fri., March 7, 2025: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Pound Ridge Library Sensory Room & Book Reading: Join this library in Westchester County as it opens its new Sensory Room and newly refurbished Children’s Room. Featuring a special story time highligting the library’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
Sat., March 22, 2025: Sensory-Friendly Screening of Snow White: Bedford Playhouse in Bedford.
Six Sundays starting March 23, 2025, ending May 11, 2025: Inclusive Lacrosse with Able Athletics: Bedford, N.Y. Athletes participate in inclusive sessions designed to foster teamwork, skill-building, and confidence in a supportive, adaptive environment. All abilities welcome with activities tailored to needs.
Thurs., April 3, 2025 – Wed., April 9, 2025: 17th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival New York: Info to come.
Year-Round:
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym: There are two New York-based We Rock the Spectrum franchises, one in New Rochelle (Westchester County), the other Staten Island. Locations in Brooklyn and Long Island in the works.
AMC Sensory-friendly films: Ten AMC movie theaters around New York State offering sensory-friendly screenings. Go to the link to find the ones near you.
The Boost’s Guide to the Best Museums for People with Developmental Disabilities Added: Jackie Robinson Museum in Manhattan!
The Boost’s 2024 Westchester County Recreation Resource List (Children and Adults)
I Love NY’s Accessible Places and Programs
Photo: A Bug’s Life. (Credit: Jacob Burns Film Center)