New York State Disabilities
Advocacy Association Regional Site Program
What is the New York State
Disabilities Advocacy Association?
The NYS Disabilities Advocacy Association is a newly-formed,
membership-based, independent advocacy network. Start-up funding for this
cross-system, independent, non-governmental membership organization is being
provided by the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
(DDPC). The Support Center for Nonprofit Management is providing management
support as this Association develops and implements its long-term plan for
independence and sustainability.
What is the goal/purpose of the
NYS Disabilities Advocacy Association?
The Association’s goal is to create an advocacy network
- a cross-system, independent, non-governmental, membership association that
will serve as a resource for efficient information and resource sharing - and
to strengthen the disability advocacy system by connecting and coordinating
resources across service systems throughout New York State. The
Association’s purpose is to support and build the advocacy capacity in New
York State without duplicating any current advocacy efforts or services.
What is the working mission of
the NYS Disabilities Advocacy Association?
The Association’s working mission is to serve as a
resource and advocate for the needs of the organizations, groups, and
individual advocates who are providing advocacy services for individuals with
disabilities and their families.
Why is there a need for a
Disabilities Advocacy Association?
New York State has many disability advocates, advocacy
associations, organizations, agencies, and groups. However, there are few
opportunities for these individuals/entities to talk with each other and learn
about what other systems/organizations/individuals are doing. And, while there
are unique issues within each service arena, there are significant common
challenges that all are faced with. The demographics of NYS are dramatically
changing. The baby boomers are aging. The number of people with disabilities
continues to rise. The demand for quality health care, personal safety,
transportation, education, employment, and full participation in all of our
communities and our communities’ activities is expanding. There are ever
increasing demands on all of our service systems. Whether one works in the
areas of mental health, physical or neurological disabilities, substance abuse,
education, etc.; whether one works with children, adults, seniors, or families
- the common thread is that all disability advocates who represent and speak on
behalf of the interests and needs of NYS individuals with disabilities and
their families want New Yorkers with disabilities and their families to have
access to the quality services that they desire/need.
This is not a business-as-usual initiative. The
Association’s membership will include disability advocates, non-profit
organizations, government agencies, and grassroots advocacy groups that provide
advocacy services for individuals with disabilities and their families. It will
promote efficient information and resource sharing, capacity building, systemic
change, and support small grassroots advocacy groups. It will be a forum for
diverse voices across service systems. It will connect service systems across
New York State. The Association will offer support to the providers of advocacy
services and not provide any services to individuals directly. The Association
will offer a central access and direction point for disability advocacy
information and services in New York State.
WILC’s role as the Lower
Hudson Valley Regional Site
The Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) is the
Lower Hudson Valley Regional Site for the NYS Disability Advocacy Association.
WILC is one of four NYS Disability Advocacy Association Regional Sites that are
located in different geographic regions of New York State.
The Regional Sites are an
integral part of the newly developing Association. The activities of the
Regional Sites support the goals/purpose of the Association. As the Lower
Hudson Valley Regional Site, WILC will:
- promote the goals and activities of the Association;
- support cross-systems initiatives in the region;
- provide forums for cross-systems information sharing;
- recruit new members for the Association from regional
organizations, groups and individual advocates who are providing advocacy
services for individuals with disabilities and their families;
- promote ongoing communication with policy makers and
regional and state legislators;
- promote and support effective cross-system
collaborations to facilitate effective systems advocacy on policy issues of
concern to individuals with disabilities and their families; and
- develop an ongoing, effective regional cross-system
network which is an integral part of the statewide Association.
Other NYS Disability Advocacy
Association Regional Sites:
Advocacy Center
590 south Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620
Tel: 585-546-1700
Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc.
116 E.
16th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Tel:
212-677-4650
Sinergia, Inc.
134 W. 29th Street
New
York, NY 10001
Tel: 614-579-7858
Regional Association
Activities
For
information on regional Association activities, click here.
Become a Member of the
New
York State Disabilities Advocacy Association
Benefits of Membership
Members of the NYS Disabilities
Advocacy Association will:
- be invited to regional and statewide Association
activities, such as cross-system Meetings, Forums, Trainings, etc.;
- receive information regarding cross-systems initiatives
in the region and across the state;
- receive information on regional and statewide issues and
concerns relevant to people with disabilities; and will
- have access to cross-system support and resources.
Become a Member
To become a member of the NYS Disabilities Advocacy
Association, you can:
1) Contact the Lower Hudson Valley Regional NYSDAA Site
Coordinator at:
Westchester Independent Living Center
Tel: 914-682-3926
TTY: 914-682-0926
2) Submit the following internet form or download one the
text files and send it to:
Lower Hudson Valley Regional NYSDAA Site
Coordinator
Westchester Independent Living Center
200 Hamilton Avenue,
2nd Floor
White Plains, New York 10601
Membership
Form
New York State Disabilities Advocacy
Association
Lower Hudson Valley Region
Name of Organization:
__________________________________________
Contact Person:
______________________________________________
Brief Description of Organization:
_______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Address:
_______________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip:
________________________________________________
Telephone:
___________________________________________________
Website Address:
__________________________________________________
E-Mail:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________
Member Form.doc Download the form as a Word
Document.
Member Form.rtf Download the form as a Rich Text
Document. |
