HOV Readers with Disabilities Book Club with Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
2025-06-02 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Get ready for some reading fun! HOV’s Readers With Disabilities Book Club is a fun social group for young adults of all reading levels who love books. Each meeting we’ll play book-ish games, talk about our favorite reads, and discover new books with all types of disability representation. Hosted by Mo Kikoler. There is no required reading to join each meeting.
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Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:30
This training will help participants understand the appropriate use of test accommodations for students with disabilities. It will provide information related to the decision-making process, the types of test accommodations that are available, and how they are documented on the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2025-06-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
Many parents and caregivers have questions about how best their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities may be supported in making decisions as an adult. What are the concerns around guardianship? What about Supported Decision Making? How do advance directives such as health care proxies and durable power of attorney factor in? This workshop should be taken before the Guardianship and Digging into Supported Decision-Making workshops. If you have already taken this WIHD zoom workshop, please register instead for the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2025-06-10 12:00 - 13:15, 2025-07-09 12:00 - 13:15
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended our monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and want to know more about SDM. We will review Article 82, the NY State supported decision making law, and will answer SDM-specific questions.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Relationship Skills Group: Self-Advocates at the Community Support Network
2025-06-10 18:00 - 19:00
Please Join us! Relationships Skills Group is an inter-abled group for young adults with disabilities to learn and practice social skills.
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Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for our three-workshop series where we will present instruments and methods used to support loved ones with disabilities in making choices as they approach the age of adulthood.
Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
This workshop is intended for individuals who have already attended our monthly Supported Decision Making, Guardianship, and other Alternatives workshop, and have determined that guardianship is the most appropriate alternative. Since guardianship is considered the most restrictive form of decision support, it is recommended that you also attend the Digging in to Supported Decision-Making workshop before signing up for this one. We will review the process of putting together a petition for guardianship and the documentation requirements.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Working While Receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
2025-06-11 18:00 - 19:00
This workshop will offer a basic understanding of how working impacts benefits. Learn how to keep track of your earning, reporting your earning and how Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) can be used. How to continue to receive your Medicaid benefit if you earn too much income and your cash benefit is discontinued.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2025-06-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00
Please join us for a workshop on OPWDD services and eligibility. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Through this workshop you will learn about the range of OPWDD services available to you and your loved one, and about the requirements for service eligibility.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Self-Direction: An Overview
2025-06-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about OPWDD’s self-direction services which allows for more choice in OPWDD-funded supports and services. The individual must be eligible for OPWDD services and participating in Care Management services through a Care Coordination Organization (CCO) to be approved for self-direction. Therefore, it is recommended that you first attend a workshop on OPWDD eligibility if the person with the disability does not already have it.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) for Families
2025-06-17 18:30 - 19:30
This presentation will guide parents through the process of transitioning their child from Early Intervention to the Committee on Preschool Special Education.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Disability Conversations: “Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2025-06-18 18:00 - 19:00
Please Join Us! Disability Conversations Group has educational talks about living with disabilities in an accessible way. Different topics and speakers are chosen each month.
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New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA): Essential Information for Families of Students with Disabilities
2025-06-25 12:00 - 13:30
The purpose of this training is to educate families of students with disabilities on the essential information of NYSAA including, what NYSAA is, what the test entails, and how it will affect a student’s postsecondary planning. Additionally, the training will review all state assessment options, the eligibility and decision-making process, and graduation/student exit options.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

New York Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference 2025
2025-06-25 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-26 17:00 - 19:00
New York Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference 2025
Click Here for Flyer and Registration

Positive Solutions for Families (series)
2025-06-26 12:00 - 14:00
Join us for a four-session workshop series for parents, families, and caregivers. These sessions will provide strategies to support your children’s social and emotional development and address challenging behaviors in a positive, effective way.
Workshop Details: Four sessions*, once a month on a Thursday from 12-2pm
March 27 – Making the Connection & Keeping it Positive
April 24 – Behavior Has Meaning & the Power of Routine
May 22 – Teach Me What to Do & Responding with Purpose
June 26 – Putting It All Together with a Plan
*Attending all four sessions is encouraged but optional. Resources and tools will be provided before each session.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Agency 101 - Connecting Individuals with Disabilities to Adult Services
2025-07-08 12:00 - 13:30
Identifying State and community-based agencies that may be able to provide services to young adults with disabilities is a critical component of transition planning for life after high school. This session will offer a broad overview of several core disability service systems in order to understand the different eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for a variety of supports. The referral and application process as well as the types of services available for each will be reviewed. Families may have to access more than one service provider depending on the type of disability and services they need for their children and young adults with a learning disability, physical disability, visual and/or hearing impairment, intellectual/developmental disability, mental health disorder or any combination of disabilities.
*The session will not include the identification of local organizations or details of the specific programs they may offer. Resources will be provided.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

School's Out: Making Summer Count - Summer Strategies for Families
2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for FUN IDEAS and strategies to get you through the summer.
We will cover summer activities, regression, maintaining skills during the summer and preparation for Back to School. In this session you will learn big principles and little practices that you can try with your child to aid with LITERACY, ART, MATH, communication and how to make it all fun!
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Special Education 101: Virtual Training of the Parent Member
2025-07-16 09:00 - 14:00
We offer our 4-hour Virtual Parent Member Training four times per year, via Zoom. Participants will learn about the entire Committee for Special Education (CSE) process, and those eligible can join committee meetings as a volunteer Parent Member. This is wonderful opportunity to build community in your district, support other parents, and learn more about the CSE process to support your own child! While this training is open to anyone who would like to learn more about special education, parents or guardians whose child has or had an IEP in the last 5 years, will receive a certificate for submission to their school district to serve as a Parent Member at CPSE/CSE meetings.
Note: This is a four-hour training in two parts, 9-11 am and 12-2 pm with a one-hour break for lunch. Four hours must be completed to receive certification.
Click here to register

How to Foster and Support Self-Determination in All Students
2025-07-16 12:00 - 13:30
Self-Determination is a research-based predictor of post-school success in the areas of education, employment, and independent living. The purpose of this training is to foster and support the development of self-determination skills for students of all ages utilizing a collaborative school and family approach. It provides participants with foundational concepts, resources, and strategies to implement and incorporate practices that promote the development of self-determination throughout a student’s day and across all ages.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2025-07-23 12:00 - 13:00
Are you considering applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your family member? Come to this workshop to learn some tips and tricks to the application process. When and how to apply, the eligibility requirements and how to best make the process less stressful.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Parents
2025-08-05 12:00 - 13:00
Participants will be able to explain the importance of vocabulary instruction for their children in the elementary grades and describe ways to incorporate explicit instruction and vocabulary instruction in the home.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? For Families of School-Age Students
2025-08-05 12:00 - 13:30
Parents and families are an important part of the Special Education process. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the entire IEP process, including but not limited to, the Committee on Special Education (CSE), the roles and responsibilities of all parties, the various components of the IEP, and the transition planning process.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Basics
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00
Would you like to learn more about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts?
Come to this workshop to find out how this financial tool can help individuals with disabilities save while receiving benefits. What is an ABLE account, how it works and the eligibility requirements will be discussed. Potential ABLE participants and their families are invited.
Zoom Registration: Click Here

Introducing Elementary Students to the World of Work: Career Development Across the Lifespan
2025-08-21 09:00 - 11:00
Please join us for Introducing Elementary Students to the World of Work, a session focused on the importance of starting career development early for students with disabilities. We will explore and expand elementary-level activities that support self-awareness, career identity, and exploration. The session will also emphasize the value of collaboration among schools, families, and community partners, and provide resources and strategies to ensure meaningful and lasting career development experiences for elementary-aged students with disabilities.
Zoom Registration: Click Here
