Advocacy

Advocacy is crucial for families of people with disabilities because it empowers them to advocate for their rights, access necessary resources, and ensure their loved ones receive the support they need to live fulfilling lives. 

Here are a few reasons why advocacy is so important:

• Access to Services: Families may need help navigating complex systems, such as healthcare, education, and social services. 
• Legal Rights: Families with disabilities often need support in understanding and asserting legal rights, including those protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other laws that provide protections and accommodations for people with disabilities.
• Representation: Families may struggle to have their voices heard in policy-making or decision-making processes. Advocacy ensures that families’ concerns and needs are represented at the local, state, and national levels.
• Fighting Stigma: Advocacy helps raise awareness and combat misconceptions or stigma around disabilities. It encourages a more inclusive society and promotes understanding and empathy.
• Improved Quality of Life: Advocates can help secure access to better healthcare, educational opportunities, and community participation, which directly impacts the quality of life for both the individual with disabilities and their family.
• Building Community Support: Advocacy often brings families together, helping them form networks of support, share resources, and collaborate to create positive change.

In short, advocacy helps level the playing field, ensuring that people with disabilities and their families have equal opportunities and a voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Support the Traveling with Dignity Act: Send a letter to Governor Hochul

Lend your support to the Traveling with Dignity Act. This act seeks to provide “adult changing accommodation” in public places with an occupancy of over 2,500. Examples include amusement parks, auditoriums, theatres, convention and sports centers, and exhibition halls. This bill has passed both houses and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The best way to encourage the signing of this bill is to send letters of support the Governor Hochul. We have made it easy to download this template and personalize it with your specific experience and story. The Center for Disability supports people whose lives will be personally impacted in a positive way if this bill is signed into law. Share this with your friends and family so they can support as well.

Know your legislators

Advocacy ambassadorship

Become a member of the advocacy committee! Volunteer to meet with legislators at Center events or in person. Contact Stephanie Smith, Director of Family Engagement & Program Development, at 518-944-2109 or at stephanie.smith@cfdsny.org.

Take action With correspondence advocacy

Utilize the easy correspondence portal through our partners at CP State and contact your NYS and Federal legislators about issues important to families of those with disabilities today!