Fri., Feb. 7, 2025 and Sat., Feb. 8, 2025: National Black Parenting Conference: Brings together parents and experts to address critical topics that affect the black community.
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Hear Our Voices Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network (CSN): Hear our Voices is open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Educational Records Organizer: Parents, guardians and advocates of children who receive 504, CPSE and CSE special education services will learn how to organize educational records into a record-keeping binder. Part of monthly Virtual Lunchtime Discussion and Learn programs. (Adler Center For Special Needs – Mid-Island Y JCC)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Transition to College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan Learn the differences that can be expected as students move from high school to any 2- or 4-year college setting, including process to access academic accommodations, disability documentation requirements, the changing role of parents, and tips on what students can do now to gain the necessary skills needed for a successful college experience. Students are encouraged to attend. (Rockland Transition Consortium)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Family Forum: Preparing for Your Child’s Annual Review (WIHD Community Support Network)
Wed., Feb. 12, 2025: Westchester Family Support Services (FSS) Advisory Committee Open Meeting: Important aspects of FSS — non-Medicaid services for families with a loved one with IDD living at home with them – and the role of families have been recently clarified through the FSS Statewide Committee. This meeting will update returning members and welcome new ones. Details: 6:45 p.m.; Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Wed., Feb. 19, 2025: Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting: The Hear Our Voices self-advocacy meetings meet monthly on a Wednesday and are open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Wed., Feb. 19, 2025: Preparing for Living in the Community Using Self-Direction Budget: Registration opens Feb. 3. (SOYAN)
Wed., Feb. 26, 2025: The Relationship Between Emotional Regulation and Severe and Dangerous Behaviors: A large percentage of those with profound autism exhibit severe, intense, and dangerous behaviors. Finding the causes has been a priority for researchers. In collaboration with University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, National Council on Severe Autism and Autism Speaks, you have the opportunity to hear about emotional regulation, its role in these behaviors and what interventions are available.
Mon., March, 3, 2025- Thurs., March 6, 2025: Employment and You! Resources and Strategies for Success: Hear from statewide experts on employment resources for people with disabilities including contacts and methods that can support and keeping a job. (Univ. of Rochester Medical Center and WIHD)
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.
Ongoing: Brain Injury Association of NYS Support Groups: A variety of times for survivors and caregivers.
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.
Fri., Feb. 7, 2025: Sensory Story Time: At the Katonah Village Library: This inclusive literacy program is designed for neurodivergent children (ages 4 to 9 years) as well as any child who may have difficulty with large groups.
Sat., Feb. 15, 2025: Sensory-friendly screening of Paddington in Peru: At Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.
Fri., Feb. 21, 2025: Rom-Com Movie Night: In Nyack, N.Y. For youth with disabilities ages 14-24. To register, contact Emily Rocks at erocks@bridgesrc.org, 845-624-1366 ext. 107. (Bridges)
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)
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 the newly refurbished Children’s Room. Featuring a special story time highligting the library’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
Thurs., April 3 – Wed., April 9, 2025: 17th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival New York: Info to come.
Thurs., April 24, 2025: Select Human Services Prom 2025: Select Human Services is hosting its first-ever prom at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford for 18 years old and under. Cost: $115 (Select Human Services)
Year-Round:
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym: There are two New York We Rock the Spectrum franchises, one in New Rochelle (Westchester County), the other Staten Island, with locations in Brooklyn and Long Island in the works.
AMC Sensory-friendly films: There are 10 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
Image credit: Freepix.com
An unusual method to raise pay for paraprofessionals, RFK Jr., scares the hell out of the autism community, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Jan. 31, 2025.
Special ed formal disputes see notable increases The majority of the special ed legal actions in 2022-23 — 65.6% — came from New York, which historically has had high rates of due process complaints. (k12dive.com)
How will Trump’s orders on K-12 education, gender and DEI square with NY’s policy? Some NY officials are concerned with Trump’s push into schools “where decisions are generally made at the local and state levels.” At stake: Federal aid and grants, which “are relied upon by many districts to improve education for students with disabilities and students from poverty.” (lohud.com)
Disabilities Beat: CDPAP users timid about transition to PPL for personal care The podcast hears from consumers who are concerned with the speed and transparency of the transition. (WXXI.org)
Commentary: Another problem with New York’s CDPAP overhaul: the transition plan The state seems to be ignoring its own success in helping people renew Medicaid coverage after the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave New York one of the best recertification rates in the country. (Times Union)
Anderson Center for Autism worker pleas guilty in abuse case Caregiver was caught on a whistleblower video. (news10.com)
Opinion: Direct Support Professionals are the Backbone of Care for People with Disabilities (Healthcarebusinesstoday.com)
First-of-Its-Kind Children’s Specialty Hospital for Children With Complex Disabilities Open Under the Center for Discovery (governor.ny.org)
Planned transformation of former Willowbrook State School highlights commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, change (SIlive.com)
NYC teachers union pushes unusual method to win $10,000 raise for paraprofessionals: legislation (Chalkbeat.org)
The ‘fraud’ fueling NYC special education spending All but one of the 20 cases cited by the state education department raised “fraud concerns” involved students attending yeshivas. (Gothamist)
Paperwork to prove disabilities such as autism a burden to some college students. Virginia lawmakers seek to ease the process. The Democrat who sponsored the bill said people applying to state colleges were having to repeatedly prove their disability in order to receive accommodations. (whro.org)
Autism community fears RFK Jr. would set back decades of progress (NBCnews.com)
Opinion — Autism families: Keep RFK Jr. away from our kids (NY Daily News)
SCOTUS to hear school disability discrimination case The case will determining whether students filing disability discrimination claims must prove that officials acted with discriminatory intent through “bad faith or gross misjudgment.” (k12dive.com)
Struck out This essay from a woman with autism recounts the terrors of gym class: “I knew we weren’t just playing. Our games were the symbolic staging of something bigger and incredibly important: our place in our group.” (Disabilitydebrief.org)
The Cruel Kids’ Table A birds-eye view of inauguration parties for young MAGA-ites, where the word “retarded” was used gleefully and repeatedly. (New York Magazine)
This Plans To Be the First Autism Certified Airline—Here’s What That Means for Neurodivergent Travelers The airline? Dubai-based Emirates. (Afar.com)
Is assisted dying a ‘clear and present danger’ to people with disabilities? A new documentary at the yearly film festival in Park City says his research “left him with a sense that disabled or chronically ill people who request assisted dying are often reacting to a lack of support or believe that the world does not want them.” (Theguardian.com)
Inclusive design trend begins to emerge This article is a little bit heavy on the throat-clearing, but it does offer some interesting design tips. (High Point News)
Tues., Feb. 4, 2025, or Wed., Feb. 5, 2025: What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) For Families of School-Age Students: Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the entire IEP process. (FACE Center, NYSED OSE Partnership)
Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025: Voices of Experience: Family Stories and Essential Resources for Transitioning Students with Disabilities: Families of students with disabilities and other stakeholders, including professionals from education and vocational rehabilitation, hear directly from others who have navigated the transition from high school to adult life. (NTACT:C and the RAISE Center)
Fri., Feb. 7, 2025 and Sat., Feb. 8, 2025: National Black Parenting Conference: Brings together parents and experts to address critical topics that affect the black community.
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Hear Our Voices Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network (CSN): Hear our Voices is open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Transition to College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan Learn the differences that can be expected as students move from high school to any 2- or 4-year college setting, including process to access academic accommodations, disability documentation requirements, the changing role of parents, and tips on what students can do now to gain the necessary skills needed for a successful college experience. Students are encouraged to attend. (Rockland Transition Consortium)
Wed., Feb. 12, 2025: Westchester Family Support Services (FSS) Advisory Committee Open Meeting: Important aspects of FSS — non-Medicaid services for families with a loved one with IDD living at home with them – and the role of families have been recently clarified through the FSS Statewide Committee. This meeting will update returning members and welcome new ones. Details: 6:45 p.m.; Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Wed., Feb. 19, 2025: Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting: The Hear Our Voices self-advocacy meetings meet monthly on a Wednesday and are open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Wed., Feb. 26, 2025: The Relationship Between Emotional Regulation and Severe and Dangerous Behaviors: A large percentage of those with profound autism exhibit severe, intense, and dangerous behaviors. Finding the causes has been a priority for researchers. In collaboration with University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, National Council on Severe Autism and Autism Speaks, you have the opportunity to hear about emotional regulation, its role in these behaviors and what interventions are available.
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.
Ongoing: Brain Injury Association of NYS Support Groups: A variety of times for survivors and caregivers.
Image: Check out the Hear Our Voices! self-advocacy group. (Credit: stock photo)
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.
January, 2025 – June 2025: Decks & Dice: A Young Adults Game Group: Tarrytown, N.Y. For young adults with and without disabilities, ages 21-35, support staff welcome. Every last Sunday of the month. Cost: $5 (Shames JCC on the Hudson)
Sat., Feb. 1, 2025: Beauty and Bonding Women’s Group Session 1, Cupcake Creations: This social group is for women and all who identify as female and non-binary/gender expansive with disabilities. This hands-on cupcake decorating class is with Susan O’Keefe, the owner of Baked By Susan Bakery. (Shames JCC on the Hudson)
Sun., Feb. 2, 2025: Sensory-friendly screening of The Princess and the Frog: At Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. Along with the film, there will be a free art activity conducted by Super Awesome Artland.
Mon., Feb. 3, 2025, Mon., April 7, 2025, Mon., June 2, 2025: Hear Our Voices! Readers with Disabilities Book Club: A fun, virtual social group for young adults of all reading levels that includes “book-ish” games, chats about favorite reads, and discovering new books with disabilities representation. (Hear Our Voices! self-advocacy group from Community Support Network at WIHD)
Fri., Feb. 7, 2025: Sensory Story Time: At the Katonah Village Library: This inclusive literacy program is designed for neurodivergent children (ages 4 to 9 years) as well as any child who may have difficulty with large groups.
Sat., Feb. 15, 2025: Sensory-friendly screening of Paddington in Peru: At Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.
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)
Thurs., April 3 – Wed., April 9, 2025: 17th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival New York: Info to come.
Thurs., April 24, 2025: Select Human Services Prom 2025: Select Human Services is hosting its first-ever prom at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford for 18 years old and under. Cost: $115 (Select Human Services)
Year-Round:
AMC Sensory-friendly films: There are 10 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: The Princess and the Frog (Credit: Courtesy of Jacob Burns Film Center)
First posted on Jan. 2, 2025
For those grappling with New York’s seemingly surreal and definitely complex service delivery system, help is here.
The state’s new Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram (IDDO), launched on Dec. 13, 2024 and mandated by New York State’s Mental Hygiene Law, is a brand new resource and advocate for individuals, families and caregivers designed to help them navigate the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
The program is being operated by the Community Service Society (CSS), a nonprofit with extensive ombudsman experience. It’s made up of a small, but we hope mighty, full-time team of 11 including counselors and attorneys.
Leading the effort is Flor Ramirez, a supervising attorney at the IDDO and mom of a six-year-old with autism. Also on the team: Rachel Shuman, training and outreach manager; Lynn Decker, quality assurance manager; Nancy Castillo, helpline manager; and, on the frontline, six helpline counselors with a seventh in the works.
Additionally, the New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYLPI) is providing expertise and legal referrals on more complicated cases.
You can contact IDDO two different ways: Call 1-800-762-9290 or email iddo@cssny.org.
The Boost spoke with Ramirez about the importance of having a staff with lived experience in the world of intellectual and developmental disabilities, how the IDDO can help families, the power of listening and more. — Roberta Bernstein, Editor
THE BOOST: Thanks so much for speaking with The Boost. Let’s start with you, if that’s OK. Why did you want to manage this program?
FLOR RAMIREZ: I’ve worked on many different programs at CSS, including CHAMP [the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare ombudsman program]. As the mom of a six-year-old boy with autism who receives OPWDD services, I know how long it can take to receive services, from eligibility to getting the waiver to finding a fiscal intermediary. It was one of the reasons I was so interested in doing this.
So, how long did this process take for your son?
Well, almost three years.
Oh, wow.
I learned that you have to understand how the process works, the parties involved. It’s complex. There’s the DDRO [Developmental Disability Regional Offices], care managers, knowing who’s submitting what, requests for documentation. I’m an advocate by training — I can’t even imagine an individual trying to do this who’s busy, not an advocate, not in health care
In terms of what IDDO can provide, let’s take the example of a family whose child or teenager started the OPWDD eligibility process two years ago and still hasn’t been approved.
We’d start with an intake and then find out what they’ve submitted so far [in terms of paperwork and documentation]. We’d see if they know all the steps that need to be taken and whether something was missed. We’d then basically go through the process of escalating the problem.
That’s a complicated case. Some people might just need information such as help in finding community classes in their area, or in understanding what’s needed for a community class to be approved. That’s fairly straightforward. But there may also be the need to help them understand their fair hearing rights. We’ll try to accommodate everyone’s needs.
The IDDO also has a Regional Outreach Network. Can you elaborate on what this is?
The network consists of community-based organizations and parent-led groups through the state who conduct education and marketing on behalf of the IDDO. They spread the word about its availability and how it works, and they’ve been given tip sheets and road maps to share with families and caregivers about how to connect with the program and how to [navigate the system.] The network works as conduits.
We’ve just announced the network’s awardees, which consist of five community-based organizations and two parent-led organizations.
Let’s talk a little about the helpline. It’s made up of trained counselors who answer the phones and do the actual research and legwork. I imagine you want to reach as many people as possible. Does the IDDO have staffers who can speak multiple languages?
Yes, we have two helpline counselors who speak Spanish as well as two managers, including myself, who speak Spanish and are there to help out. We also have someone who can speak Cantonese and Mandarin. Best practice is to be able to speak to someone yourself, but we also use a language interpretation service where a counselor can call and say what language is needed and then an interpreter will assist with the call.
I imagine the helpline is pretty busy, or will get busy. If someone has to leave a message or email, how long is it taking to get back to people?
With the holidays just over things are pretty stable right now. Before then, we had about a three- to five-day wait in terms of getting back to people, but there was hyped-up demand. We think things are going to stay pretty level. Getting back to people is a priority, as is responsiveness.
Governor Kathy Hochul has described the program as an “independent voice” for New Yorkers with disabilities. To whom does the IDDO report?
We report to OPWDD.
Some people might wonder if that’s a conflict of interest.
It’s how the program was set up, and we’re not acting as a watchdog. Look, we know we can’t escalate everything, but we are following the processes for those who need our help. And we need to test the system so that if things don’t work, we can report on it.
I think OPWDD really wants to help. They want someone to gather data for them in an organized manner and to help those in need of services. We look forward to doing just that. We know there’s a very big need and giving us that chance to help is critical.
The IDDO will be responsible for a yearly report submitted to OPWDD. Will this report be made public?
We honestly don’t know. I have raised this with OPWDD leadership, but it is up to them.
I want to end by circling back to the work and to your team. The helpline especially is working with people who are understandably stressed and anxious, and this might take a toll on these IDDO counselors. It’s something The Boost discussed with New Jersey’s ombudsman, Paul Aronsohn in 2023, who talked about the need to be more schooled in trauma-informed care for their families and for themselves. Have you all discussed ways to handle this?
Yes, we’ve discussed this at CSS, especially in regards to the CHAMP program. We do meet twice a week so that people can talk about things, share what’s going on, and we always tell our folks if after a call you need to step away to breathe then that’s OK, to take care of yourselves.
I also think it’s why it’s critical to hire people with lived experience who are passionate about this work. It makes it more meaningful to them. OPWDD services have been so helpful for my son. I see his potential future and it’s why I’m so passionate about making things better.
We also know firsthand how important it is to understand why someone is upset and to know that they probably don’t feel listened to. Sometimes, we just have to listen. People deserve to be heard.
Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Images: Courtesy of IDDO.
Are you a self-advocate who’s into art? In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is inviting self-advocates to submit artwork for a chance to be included in an art gallery slide show.
The work should be inspired by your own life, such as something you like to do, things you like, or maybe something you’d like to do in the future. Artwork can include, but is not limited to:
*Send a photo of what you’ve created. The submission should only include the artwork. Do not include a photo of yourself with the art.
Details
Your art could be included in an art gallery slide show during the month of March to be featured on CDD social media, in newsletters and on other materials.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Emergency housing in New Jersey “woefully underfunded,” local governments aren’t ready to evacuate disabled people, and more developmental disability news for the week ending Jan. 24, 2025.
With Republicans in Congress anxious to make “draconian” cuts to Medicaid, it’s important to lay out just how important Medicaid is to vulnerable populations. A brief from KFF, How do Medicaid Home Care Programs Support Family Caregivers? does just that for family caregivers.
Here, some salient points:
FYI, on Wed., Jan 29, The Arc is offering Calling All Advocates: Medicaid Advocacy in 2025, a webinar where you can learn about the growing concern of potential cuts to Medicaid and what can be done to help protect it.
Hudson Valley parents, early intervention providers say new state billing system preventing children from receiving crucial care They claim the new system makes it difficult to enroll or get pre-authorization for children’s services. (hudsonvalley.news12.com)
Related: Assemblymember Jodi Giglio (R-NY 2nd District) gives a press conference on the new system exacerbating the early intervention crisis (Youtube)
Faith leaders urge pause in NY Medicaid home care switch as NY vows no disruptions I missed this CDPAP-related article last week reporting on a letter sent to the state health commissioner by 34 faith leaders who expressed their concerns about the program’s transition. (CBS6albany.com)
Op-Ed | A home for all: Addressing the housing crisis for New Yorkers with disabilities (amny.com)
‘Mommy, why?’ Parents speak out after special-needs son put in ‘time-out room’ at Long Island school Records reveal time out rooms were used 199 times by the Commack School District in an 8-month period. (NBCnewyork.com)
Disabilities Beat: Why is Hochul’s involuntary commitment proposal controversial? The Governor now supports expanding involuntary commitment to people deemed unable to provide or unwilling to accept help with basic needs. (WRVO.og)
NYC taxi riders with disabilities warn changes to city program may mean worse service (Gothamist.com)
John Pomeroy, Stony Brook psychiatrist who treated children with autism, dies at 74 (Newsday.com)
ARC TV gives adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to shine ARC TV in Suffolk County offers a weekly video production class for people with I/DD. (Newsday.com)
Emergency housing for NJ kids with disabilities is so scarce ‘families often just give up’ (Northjersey.com)
‘Financially strangled’: Wayne school board petitions NJ for more special ed aid (northjersey.com)
Justice Department says Alabama institutionalizes too many children with disabilities The state is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by not administering services in the setting most appropriate to people’s needs. (AP)
Minn. Gov. Walz proposes slowing spending on disability services to address looming deficit I’m going personal on this one; it’s a disappointing, and unexpected, move coming from the father of a son with a non-verbal learning disorder and ADHD. (Minnesota Reformer)
Illinois Gov. signs bill eliminating subminimum wage for people with disabilities The state becomes the 19th to sign onto the Dignity in Pay Act, which phases out subminimum wage authorizations (Chicago.suntimes.com)
Maryland disabilities community ‘distressed,’ ‘scared’ by proposed $200 million cut to state services (Marylandmatters.org)
The Blue Envelope program picks up steam. Here, two of many:
Your Local Government Isn’t Ready to Evacuate Disabled People (Mother Jones)
Many residents with disabilities can’t flee fires on their own. Could a database help? Facing mounting questions over a chaotic evacuation, top L.A. County officials say they want to build a database of residents with disabilities who require help fleeing a neighborhood engulfed in flames. (Latimes.com)
What Does President Trump’s DEI Rollback Mean For Disability Inclusion? (Forbes)
Restraint and seclusion harmful to students, Education Department warns In a letter sent out prior to Trump’s inauguration, the department warns that schools should instead use proactive practices such as multi-tiered systems of support. (K12dive.com)
People with disabilities disproportionately affected by food insecurity According to the Dept. of Agriculture, households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities in 2021. (Spectrumlocalnews.com)
Ongoing: Brain Injury Association of NYS Support Groups: A variety of times for survivors and caregivers.
January, 2025: OPWDD and National Center for Cultural Competence Family Listening Sessions: Part of an effort to improve communication, language access and outreach to underserved communities. They’re intended to hear about people’s experiences in accessing supports and services based on a family’s cultural beliefs and practices, in your preferred language, and that are appropriate and fair for your family member with IDD. For families currently receiving supports and services, or have received them in the past, or are unable to access supports and services. (Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence)
Fri., Jan. 24, 2025: Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School (Lower Hudson Valley FACE CRPC, NYSED OSE Partnership and Yonkers Public Schools)
Fri., Jan. 24, 2025: Capital District Special Education Task Force Annual Reviews – Virtual Coffee Q&A: Meeting will answer questions about the annual review process, discuss how to best prepare for annual review meetings and more.
Mon., Jan. 27, 2025 and Wed., Jan. 29, : REV UP Kick off Part 1: Reaching Historically Excluded Voters on the 27th, and Part 2: Voting Rights Threats and Opportunities at the State Level on the 29th. The REV UP Voting Campaign, part of The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), builds the power of the disability vote through a national network of coalitions and organizations.
Tues., Jan. 28, 2025 and Thurs., Jan. 30, 2025: OPWDD Self-Direction Study Town Hall and Focus Groups for People with Lived Experience and their Families: OPWDD is working with consulting firm Guidehouse to look at OPWDD’s Self-Direction policies and processes, and provide recommendations to deliver a better Self-Direction service model. This is a follow-up to the Self-Direction survey.
Wed., Jan. 29, 2025: A Historic Conversation: The Willowbrook Legacy at 50 Years: Fifty years ago, the exposure of inhumane conditions at Willowbrook State School led to a landmark Consent Decree. Three people whose lives intersected at this crucial moment will share their stories. (CIDNY)
Thurs. Jan. 30, 2025: Virtual Lunch & Learn Autism Service Dogs: BluePath Service Dogs is offering a free webinar where parents can learn about their work and help determine whether a service dog would be a good fit for their family. Time: 12 pm. to 1 p.m. Zoom link: bit.ly/bluepath-zoom
Sat., Feb. 1, 2025: Beauty and Bonding Women’s Group Session 1, Cupcake Creations: This social group is for women and all who identify as female and non-binary/gender expansive with disabilities. This hands-on cupcake decorating class is with Susan O’Keefe, the owner of Baked By Susan Bakery. (Shames JCC on the Hudson)
Wed., Jan 29, 2025: Calling All Advocates: Medicaid Advocacy in 2025: Learn about the growing concern of potential cuts to Medicaid and what can be done to help protect Medicaid. (The Arc)
Wed., Jan. 29 2025 – Fri, Jan. 31, 2025: Community Support Network (CSN) Transition Institute: Will provide information to assist students in making a smooth transition to adulthood through effective planning, plus will share important tips on accessing transition services and supports in the community.
Thurs., Feb. 6, 2025: Voices of Experience: Family Stories and Essential Resources for Transitioning Students with Disabilities: Families of students with disabilities and other stakeholders, including professionals from education and vocational rehabilitation, hear directly from others who have navigated the transition from high school to adult life. (NTACT:C and the RAISE Center)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Hear Our Voices Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network (CSN): Hear our Voices is open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Tues., Feb. 11, 2025: Transition to College for Students with an IEP or 504 Plan Learn the differences that can be expected as students move from high school to any 2- or 4-year college setting, including process to access academic accommodations, disability documentation requirements, the changing role of parents, and tips on what students can do now to gain the necessary skills needed for a successful college experience. Students are encourage to attend. (Rockland Transition Consortium)
Wed., Feb. 19, 2025: Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting: The Hear Our Voices self-advocacy meetings meet monthly on a Wednesday and are open to anyone in New York State with a developmental disability regardless of having attended prior meetings. (CSN at Westchester Institute for Human Development)
Wed., Feb. 26, 2025: The Relationship Between Emotional Regulation and Severe and Dangerous Behaviors: A large percentage of those with profound autism exhibit severe, intense, and dangerous behaviors. Finding the causes has been a priority for researchers. In collaboration with University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, National Council on Severe Autism and Autism Speaks, you have the opportunity to hear about emotional regulation, its role in these behaviors and what interventions are available.
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.
Image: BluePath Service Dogs
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.
January, 2025 – June 2025: Decks & Dice: A Young Adults Game Group: Tarrytown, N.Y. For young adults with and without disabilities, ages 21-35, support staff welcome. Every last Sunday of the month. Cost: $5 (Shames JCC on the Hudson)
Fri., Jan. 24, 2025: Vision Board Workshop, West Nyack: A night of goal setting and crafting fun. (BRIDGES)
Sat., March 1, 2024: 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)
April 24, 2025: Select Human Services Prom 2025: Select Human Services is hosting its first-ever prom at the Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford for 18 years old and under. Cost: $115 (Select Human Services)
Year-Round:
AMC Sensory-friendly films: There are 10 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 Jackie Robinson comic book, part of the Jackie Robinson Museum (Credit: flickr)