Nominations Are Now Open For the Annual OPWDD Advocacy Awards
Last year, OPWDD announced the launch of its Annual Advocacy Awards with the presentation of the Willie Mae Goodman Award for Family Advocacy and the Bernard Carabello Self-Advocacy Award.
Nominations are now open for this year’s awards which will be presented during Disability Pride Month to two awardees nominated by the public. The deadline for submissions is June 5.
Complete the survey below to submit your nomination for the OPWDD Advocacy Awards.
Bernard Carabello has been a tireless advocate for people with developmental disabilities within the state of New York and beyond since 1972. He founded SANYS in 1986, and he was a governor-appointed advocate with OPWDD for 37 years before retiring.
Bernard’s participation in Geraldo Rivera’s Willowbrook expose contributed to the filing of the Willowbrook Consent Decree, and ultimately, the closing of Willowbrook in 1987.
This award, presented to Bernard Carabello in 2025, will be presented in his name to one recipient every year.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION SELECTION:
A strong advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities with a proven track record of advocacy.
A self-advocate who works tirelessly to advocate for people with developmental disabilities.
An outspoken advocate for people with developmental disabilities on various topics – such as disability rights, employment, housing, or other topics relevant to people with a developmental disability.
Participates in groups with their peers and helps advise and educate others on self-advocacy.
Willie Mae Goodman Family Advocacy Award
Willie Mae Goodman has been an advocate for people with disabilities since shortly after her daughter Margaret, a Willowbrook State School former resident, was born.
The Gouverneur Parents Association (GPA), which Mrs. Goodman founded, became the first group of parents to take the former state Department of Mental Hygiene to court. Through a court injunction, they successfully blocked the transfer of their loved ones back to Willowbrook State School.
Mrs. Goodman’s life’s work has not only been about advocating for her daughter, but it’s also been about advocating for all people with disabilities who don’t have a voice.
This award, presented to Mrs. Goodman in 2025, will be presented in her name to one recipient every year.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION SELECTION:
A strong family advocate for people with Developmental Disabilities with a proven track record of advocacy.
A family member that fights for the rights of not only their loved ones, but all people with developmental disabilities.
A family member who leads with their heart and works to ensure that all people with disabilities get what they need.
A family member who understands that to make change, we must all work together to build a stronger system of supports.
Improving Our System of Services
Section 5.07 of the NYS Mental Hygiene Lawrequires 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:
