Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #2: Digging in to Supported Decision-Making
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-06-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
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

"Hear Our Voices" Self Advocacy Group Meeting
2024-05-15 18:00 - 19:00
“Hear Our Voices” Self Advocacy Group Monthly Meeting
For Flyer and Registration: Click Here

Hear Our Voices Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference
2024-05-16 10:00 - 16:00
Please join us on Zoom for the Hear Our Voices Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference
For Flyer and Registration: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #3: Guardianship Workshop
2024-05-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-06-27 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-18 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

EI (Early Intervention) to CPSE (Preschool Special Education) for Families
2024-05-21 12:30 - 13:30
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

Life-Skills Workshop Series Session #2
2024-05-23 18:30 - 20:00
Life-skills, or daily living skills, are abilities that our loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities need to achieve their highest level of independence. These include skills related to managing money, personal hygiene, medication management, taking care of living spaces, laundry, cooking, transportation, and shopping.
Please join us for a three-workshop series for caregivers about supporting life-skills learning for children, teens and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. You will need to come to the workshop with at least one idea for a life-skill that you want your loved one to work on.
We will cover:
· The process of teaching and reinforcing life-skills
· The self-advocate’s perspective on the challenges in developing these skills
Zoom Registration Link: Click here

Taller #1: Toma de decisiones con apoyo (SDM), tutela y otras alternativas/Workshop #1: Supported Decision Making (SDM), Guardianship, and Other Alternatives
2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:00
Fecha y hora: viernes 7 de junio 12-1pmh
Thursday, June 7, 2024 – 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Este taller se impartirá únicamente en español.
This workshop will be given in Spanish only.
Muchos padres y cuidadores tienen preguntas sobre cuál es la mejor manera de apoyar a su ser querido con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo a tomar decisiones cuando sea adulto. ¿Cuáles son las preocupaciones en torno a la tutela? ¿Qué pasa con la toma de decisiones apoyada? ¿Cómo desempeñan un papel las directivas anticipadas, como los poderes para atención médica y los poderes duraderos? Este taller proporcionará a los cuidadores la información para afrontar estos problemas.
Many parents and caregivers have questions about how best to support their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities 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 powers of attorney and durable powers of attorney, play a role? This workshop will provide caregivers with the information to navigate these issues.
Enlace de Zoom para la registracion: Haga clic aquí
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Post School Planning for Young Adults Not Going to College
2024-06-11 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for a discussion on program options and considerations for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Participants can ask any questions they may have including the eligibility process for services through the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and other state service systems, the types of programs and support services available, as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting adult community-based programs.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
2024-06-11 18:00 - 19:00
Self-Advocates: Peer to Peer Discussion about Dating and Relationships
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2024-06-13 12:00 - 13:00
Come to this session for parents and caregivers to learn how to support your child’s development of new vocabulary, the importance of vocabulary instruction and ways to incorporate vocabulary instruction at home for your children who are in Pre-K through grade 6.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Post School Planning for Young Adults Going to College
2024-06-18 12:00 - 13:30
Join us for a discussion on how things will be different from high school for young adults with disabilities who plan to pursue a college degree. Participants can ask any questions they may have, including the process for accessing accommodations, the disability documentation needed, possible types of college-related services available through Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), as well as things to consider when selecting or visiting 2 & 4 year colleges and universities.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

"Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
2024-06-19 18:00 - 19:00
“Hear Our Voices” Self-Advocacy Monthly Group Meeting
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Supporting Your Child in Work Based Learning Experiences
2024-06-20 18:00 - 19:30
The purpose of Supporting Your Child in Work-Based Learning (WBL) Experiences is to provide families and guardians with the foundational knowledge of what high-quality WBL looks like in New York State (NYS) including but not limited to: exploring registered and unregistered program options available to students with disabilities, reviewing the career development process and the NYS framework for WBL, determining who the essential partners are in order to ensure students are receiving an individualized and collaborative experience, and identifying activities and strategies to increase career awareness and development in the home and community.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Monthly Decision Making Series Workshop #1: Supported Decision-Making (SDM), Guardianship, and other Alternatives
2024-06-25 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-07-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2024-08-20 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

Life-Skills Workshop Series Session #3
2024-06-25 18:30 - 20:00
Workshop 3 will be in a moderated panel format. We are thrilled to have Paul Evangelista and Dan Zarro, together with their moms Eleanor Evangelista and Tricia Zarro with us to share their life-skills journey. Paul and Dan are both young adults with autism.
Life-skills, or daily living skills, are abilities that our loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities need to achieve their highest level of independence. These include skills related to managing money, personal hygiene, medication management, taking care of living spaces, laundry, cooking, transportation, and shopping.
Please join us for a three-workshop series for caregivers about supporting life-skills learning for children, teens and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. You will need to come to the workshop with at least one idea for a life-skill that you want your loved one to work on.
We will cover:
· The process of teaching and reinforcing life-skills
· The self-advocate’s perspective on the challenges in developing these skills
Zoom Registration Link: Click here

What Is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? For Families of School-Age Students
2024-07-16 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. 12- 1pm, with additional time for Q and A.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Services and Eligibility
2024-07-23 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 Link: Click Here

Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member
2024-07-24 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.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

OPWDD Self-Direction
2024-07-24 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, enrolled in the Home and Community Based (HCBS) Waiver, 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 Link: Click Here

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2024-07-25 12:00 - 13:30
School may be over but some students will be taking Regents examinations in August. 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 Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Guide to Transition Planning: Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School
2024-08-13 12:00 - 13:30
The purpose of the Family Guide to Transition Planning—Preparing Students with Disabilities for Life After High School is to assist families in understanding the transition planning process specifically from high school to life after high school. When families are knowledgeable about the transition process and invited to participate by schools, students with disabilities experience improved post-school outcomes in the areas of employment, postsecondary education, and independent living.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Lunch and Learn: Explicit Vocabulary Instruction for Families
2024-08-20 12:00 - 13:00
Vocabulary is key to reading comprehension, and even emerging readers must have exposure to a lot of different words. Please join us for a brief learning session on how you can help build your children’s vocabularies. During our time together, we will share some of the theories around how we learn, and give quick and easy activities you can do with your children that will help develop their word knowledge.
Zoom Registration Link: Click Here

Family Forum: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Basics
2024-08-21 12:00 - 13:15
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
