Meetings, Webinars & Updates

FEDERAL ISSUES ARE

REAL! 

NYS Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara, Chairman of Disabilities Committee Speaks Out on Facebook 

“As Chair of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, I am seeking answers about the potential impact on New Yorkers with disabilities and their families and whether existing state protections remain sufficient. Although the law has not changed, the concerns raised by the disability community deserve careful review. This is the first step. If gaps are identified, we must be prepared to protect the progress New York has made toward community living, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities” 

Full Post HERE 

READ MUCH MORE ON YESTERDAY’S BLAST

Dear Friends and Colleagues,  

Governor Hochul’s ‘EXPRESS NY’ initiative is tackling regulatory reform and cutting the red tape for New Yorkers, including people with developmental disabilities and their families. 

Last Fall, the governor directed state agencies, including OPWDD, to recommend regulations or rules that could be eliminated or modified to improve the delivery of government services. As part of this initiative, OPWDD is streamlining regulations in the following vital areas: 

• Social Security Administration Benefits: Current restrictive regulations make it challenging for service providers to administer Social Security benefits on behalf of people they support. OPWDD is updating our regulations to streamline the benefits process and reduce the burden on our service providers. 

• Paperwork for Small Daily Purchases: Creating more flexibility around the handling of personal allowances, including increasing the threshold amount from $15 to $25 to reduce the paperwork related to minor, daily purchases and save time. 

These regulatory updates will be published in the State Register this month, kicking off a 60 day comment period. Stay tuned for more efficiency measures that will make a difference for you, your family member or organization as we continue our work together to provide the highest quality supports to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. 

Sincerely, 

Commissioner Willow Baer 
 

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 
 
At a time when our field is working to build systems that are more person-centered, equitable, and responsive to the unique experiences of every person and family, understanding the role of culture has never been more important.  Culture shapes how people experience disability, seek support, make decisions, and engage with their communities.  It is through this understanding that we can create services and supports that truly reflect the people we serve. 

It is my pleasure to announce the release of the video series, “Cultural Perspectives on Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” developed with our partners at the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence. This exciting resource is one of the lasting outcomes of New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)’s work with the National Center for Systems Change. 

These extraordinary videos each feature a specific topic area alongside  personal stories of people with lived experience, offering meaningful insights into what it means to be culturally aware, responsive, and inclusive when supporting people with developmental disabilities. Through authentic voices and real world experiences, the series explores the intersection of culture across six themes – Advocacy, Assistive Technology, Community Engagement, Engaging Fathers and Father Figures, Meaningful Employment, and Whole Person Care. 

This series is intended for a broad audience, including people with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, direct support professionals, service providers, policy makers, legislators, employers, and anyone committed to advancing inclusion and belonging. 

The OPWDD–National Center for Cultural Competence Partnership for Systems Change was a multi-year Systems Change initiative launched in 2022 through a partnership between OPWDD and Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence.  Together, we worked to advance policies and practices that strengthen cultural and linguistic competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout New York’s developmental disabilities service system.  This video series reflects that commitment and serves as a reminder that building a truly inclusive system requires all of us to listen, learn, and lead with understanding. 

I encourage you to watch, share, and reflect on these stories as we continue to ensure that every person is seen, heard, valued, and supported in ways that honor their unique culture, identity, and lived experience.  

In Solidarity and Celebration, 

Commissioner Willow Baer

Earlier this month we kicked off our 2026 OPWDD Future Planning Forums with our first forum in Manhattan.  

This summer, OPWDD will be holding even more forums across New York State to share updates about our work and hear from you. This year, we will get to some new areas where we have not regularly heard from people before to expand our reach. 

This year kicks off work on our next five-year OPWDD Strategic Plan, and we want to offer plenty of opportunities to hear from you. In addition to the forums listed below, we’ll be having other conversations throughout the next year. Stay tuned for updates on future virtual conversations, surveys, and gatherings where you’ll be able to tell us your ideas and work with us to create a shared vision for the future.  

The following in-person and virtual forums have been scheduled: 

• Albany: July 7, 5PM – 7PM 

• Buffalo: July 15, 5:30 -7:30PM 

• Binghamton: July 16, 11 AM – 1PM 

• Virtual Forum Evening: July 9, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 

• Virtual Forum Day: July 14, 11AM – 1PM  

This year, forums will be more interactive and give you more opportunities to share your thoughts with OPWDD. At each forum, we’ll give you a chance to share your thoughts on:  

• Navigating the OPWDD system  

• What High Quality Services Mean to You  

• Planning for the future of OPWDD  

You can come in-person or join us online.  You can find event details and sign up on our website using the link below.  

You do not have to register to attend, but we encourage it.  Registration helps us plan for the events and provide supports.  If you need language services or other accommodations, please register and tell us what you need at least 2 weeks before the event.    

These forums are one of many ways to get involved and are just the start of our work on the 2028-2032 OPWDD Strategic Plan.  We will have more opportunities to share feedback as we work together on our plan for the future.   

We want you to be part of the conversation.  We are working together to build a shared vision for the future of OPWDD and the people we support.  The best ideas come from people, families, providers, and staff.  Your experiences, ideas, and voices matter.  

We hope you will join us.