Town Hall & MORE

The June 3rd Virtual Town Hall 
on Transition is

CANCELLED

We will regroup in October 

Our asks are still going strong, and there is still time to advocate using the one-clicks below. If you know any legislators personally or have a relationship with them and can text them directly, NOW IS THE TIME to ask for their support. 

SEND THE ONE-CLICKS
Take one moment EVERY DAY until the budget is finalized to send a message:

• IAC One-Click for OPWDD
• IAC One-Click for EI
• CP State One-Click Campaign
• NYDA One-Click Campaign

CALL DIRECTLY

• Gov. Kathy Hochul: 518-474-8390 ext. 1

• Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585
• Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791
• Senate Disabilities Chair Patricia Fahy: 518-455-2225
• Assembly Disabilities Chair Angelo Santabarbara: 518-455-5197
• Senate Health Committee Chair Gustavo Rivera: 718-933-2034 or 518-455-3395
• Assembly Health Committee Chair Amy Paulin: 914-723-1115 or 518-455-5585

And Contact Your Local Legislators: Reach out to your Senator and Assemblymember directly!

LET’S STAY STRONG AND ENSURE THEY HEAR US! 
 

Section 5.07 of the NYS Mental Hygiene Law requires OPWDD to produce an annual report describing its 5-year Strategic Plan and provide the report to the Governor and legislature by November 1st of each year. In 2021, we launched a new strategic planning process.  In May 2022, OPWDD issued a draft Strategic Plan, and in November 2022, we released the final 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. The final plan encompassed extensive public input gathered over 18 months of regional forums, public hearings and meetings with stakeholders across New York. The final Strategic Plan will guide OPWDD policy and planning efforts for the next several years, focusing the agency on achieving identified goals and objectives in continued partnership with people with developmental disabilities, their family members, and service providers. Each year since, OPWDD has issued an annual report to update stakeholders on the progress made in supporting the plan’s goals. The Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council was established within the NYS Mental Hygiene Law and is tasked with providing recommendations on statewide priorities, planning and process evaluations. The DDAC is an important partner in OPWDD’s strategic planning process.

OPWDD WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!

We are excited to kickoff of our 2026 OPWDD Future Planning Forums.

This summer, OPWDD will be holding forums across New York State to share updates about our work and hear from you. This year is especially exciting as it will officially kick off our work on our next five-year OPWDD Strategic Plan.

The following in-person forums have been scheduled:
 

WHAT IS AN OMBUDS? 

An ombuds’ function is to provide informal assistance in surfacing and resolving issues. While they can recommend that an organization consider establishing or revising policy, the ombuds plays no formal role in enforcing or deciding to implement policy. The ombuds does not conduct formal investigations.
 

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombuds (IDDO) program Annual Report Issued
 

After its first year in operation, the Ombuds program has issued its inaugural annual report, covering the period January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. If you’d like to review the full report, you can find it on their website here: 2025 Annual Report – iddony.org 

The Ombuds program operates independently of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and was developed to provide education and help people better understand their rights, to provide advocacy and support for people navigating the OPWDD service delivery system, and to assist people with developmental disabilities and their families to resolve concerns related to service access and quality.  

For more information about the program, you can visithttps://www.cssny.org/programs/entry/iddo. 

Click for Announcement in other languages 

ADAPT Community Network is offering 2 free webinars. 

The first one, “Assessment and Intervention Planning for Feeding Disorders in Children with Autism” is on Thursday,  May 21st from 10 am – 11:30 am.  This presentation will provide an overview of pediatric feeding disorders and promote ethical, interdisciplinary collaboration in designing successful intervention plans. Allison Moors Lipshin, a BCBA, teacher and educational consultant, will be our speaker. Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be provided. To register scan the QR code on the flyer or click on https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sMKd4sh8T6i9bg7mWBIVtg 
 

The second one, “Supporting diverse learners with AI: practical tools for special education” is on Thursday, May 28th from 10 am – 11:30 am. This presentation provides an overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its emerging role in special education. Participants will explore how AI can assist with teaching and increased engagement in learning.  Dr. Mary McDonald is a highly regarded Professor in the Special Education Program at Hofstra University where she directs the online master’s in applied Behavior Analysis and the Advanced Certificate Programs, which includes the advanced certificate in ABA and the Advanced Certificate in Severe and Multiple Disabilities.  Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be provided. To register, scan the QR code on the flyer or click on. 

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tjDuoeYPRc SzD0M9pruqdg#/registration 

Click HERE for May 21st Flyer, & HERE for May 28th Flyer 

May 20, 2026 
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 
Zoom Session 

Exploring Self-Direction Together 

Presented by: Jennifer Teich, Associate Vice President Individualized Supports & Fiscal Intermediary May 20, 2026, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 

Thursday May 21, 2026 
11:00 am 
Jerry Orbach Theatre 
210 West 50th Street, NY, NY 10019 

Our Broadway Presents “Cinderella” 

Join AHRC NYC’s Our Broadway at the Jerry Orbach Theatre for a performance of the musical classic, Cinderella.