Wheel Power We Have Choices

Wheel Power—We Have Choices

This focus group is based on presentations developed and presented by self-advocates to help provider agencies learn about organizational change, to understand what makes supports individualized, to learn how to plan with people about lives they want, and then finally, discover what it takes to implement the plans. The self-advocate presenters will talk about their lives and the supports they receive. Come to this session and learn about Wheel Power! See also a short version of SANYS’ We Have Choices Video.

Salon F

Presenters:

Bridget Cariello

Danielle Egic

Steve Fleisher

Danielle Lazarra

Joann Ripp

All About Groups—Back to our Grassroots

Self-advocacy groups are a key part of the grassroots of SANYS and we need strong groups to be a strong organization. We’ll talk about some basics like how to start, run and advise a group, and we’ll look at some questions like: What is your group working on? What are some of your successes? What are some of your barriers? What are some challenges about running a group? What is the best thing about groups? Why are groups important?

Salon H

Presenters

Dan Flanigan

Cathy Loquercio

Jason Signorelli

Employment

Come share your employment stories, your successes and challenges, and suggest ways we can improve employment opportunities forpeople with disabilities. The session will include a presentation called Mythbusters, that will provide the straight facts about how employment may or may not affect the benefits that you receive

Alb/Col

Presenters:

Shameka Andrews

Joanne Bushart

Nicole Suto

Self-Advocate Mini-Presentations

Come to this session to hear some self-advocates tell their stories or give a mini-presentation. This year we’ll hear from Michael Cardella, Russell Johnson, Heather Romanek and a few other others. There may even be some time for you to tell your story!

Troy/Schdy

Presenters:

Michael Cardella

Russell Johnson

Heather Romanek

Improving Communications between People with Developmental Disabilities and the Agencies that Support Them

A key part of the work with agencies is communications. For an agency, communication means more than just getting news out about new programs or individual successes. It means getting news outin an accessible and meaningful way. This will be a focus of the NYSDDPC in the next few years.In this session, we seek input from self-advocates about ways agencies can improve communications.

State Room

Jim Huben and

DDPC Staff

Lisa Severino