PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR STEP-BY-STEP DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO USE YOUR VOICE TO ADVOCATE!!!
Social Media Toolkit – New York Disability Advocates (nydisabilityadvocates.com)
WHAT WE NEED:
An 8.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Due to significant inflation and supply chain disruptions have resulted in significant financial pressure on agencies, necessitating an 8.5% COLA to be included in the 2024 NYS Budget to ensure the long-term sustainability of non-profit disability service providers.
March Madness is not just for basketball brackets – it’s the annual race to get our budget priorities in the FINAL New York State budget – which is due April 1! The NYS Senate and Assembly presented their one-House Budget recommendations, in response to the Governor’s Budget proposal (highlights of interest attached) and negotiations have begun on what will be in the final budget.
Therefore, you need to Advocate NOW for IDD Budget priorities to be in the final NYS Budget!
Two immediate ways to advocate:
- Join the NYDA Rally for the 8.5% COLA in the Well of the Legislative Office Building (LOB), in Albany, on Thursday March 23 at 11am! There will be postcards and material to share with your Legislators in their Albany LOB offices, which are an elevator ride away from the Rally.
- Send letters (and urge all staff, families, volunteers to send) to the Governor and your legislators on each of our four priority issues (8.5% COLA, Equal funding for our 4410 and 853 schools, 11% Early Intervention increase, Telehealth parity for individuals with IDD & TBI) by:
- Using the attached sheet with a link and QR code to each campaign/issue
- Go to cpstate.org/advocacy/ or use the QR code below:
You can send each of these letters once every 24 hours – remember to send them every day!
RISE UP CAMPAIGN
Click HERE to send a letter to the Governor which will be printed out and delivered to her personally by BJ Stasio, Self-Advocate Extraordinaire, in a meeting with her to discuss our workforce crisis.
Please Share…
ADVOCACY GROUPS
ANCOR – As a nonprofit organization, ANCOR works to address the needs and interests of private community service providers before Congress and federal agencies and continually advocates for the crucial role private providers play in enhancing and supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families. www.ancor.org/advocacy
NYC FAIR – Family, Advocacy, Information, & Resources for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. NYC FAIR | Family, Advocacy, Information & Resources for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (nycfamilyadvocacyinformationresource.org)
NYDA – New York Disability Advocates (NYDA) is a statewide coalition of more than 300 non-profit organizations providing vital services and support to more than 140,000 New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. NYDA News (iacny.org)
SWAN OF NYS – The State-Wide Family Advocacy Network of New York State (SWAN of NYS) is dedicated to advocating for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We are an independent coalition of families and guardians of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Caring for our loved ones is our life-long commitment. SWAN of NYS – Statewide Advocacy for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (swannys.org)
News Coverage
Become a Self Advocate
What does it mean to be a Self-Advocate?
➢ Speak up for yourself & what is important to you
➢ Ask for what you need or want for your life
➢ Tell people about your thoughts & feelings
“Self-advocacy means you know your rights and
responsibilities, you speak-up for your rights, and you
can make choices and decisions that affect your life.”
Join The Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council (SIDDC)
to stay informed on changes that impact your life, learn about
available resources & services, and connect with others!
Membership is FREE to all Self-Advocates
Click to Join – SELF ADVOCATE – (Fee waived)
or
Send an email to: contactfssac@aol.com for assistance!