A PUBLICATION OF DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW YORK
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Disability Rights New York (DRNY) is the Protection & Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program for persons with disabilities in New York State. DRNY advocates for the civil and legal rights for New Yorkers with disabilities.
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Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day
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We proudly celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day this October. Celebrating this Day allows us to reflect on the historical scars of the past and the value of our native tribal nations.
Each October we will continue this practice as a reflection of our commitment to serving diverse populations.
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Advocating For
Reinstatement & Reimbursement of Homecare Services
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Warren Barnes had been confined to a nursing home for nearly two years until he was able to secure services to allow him to live in the community. Then after transitioning home, he was notified that the services he needs to remain in his home would be terminated. Mr. Barnes spent the next two years privately paying for these services and unsuccessfully fighting to reinstate his eligibility for homecare. We not only ensured that his services were reinstated, we made sure Mr. Barnes was reimbursed for the out-of-pocket expenses he incurred while fighting about his eligibility. Now Mr. Barnes has the services he needs to remain in his community and home.
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Trauma Stops With Me Training
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Our clients often experience life trauma or are reaching out to us while in an acute state of trauma. What we, and others that work with trauma victims, often fail to recognize is the impact that such trauma can have on our own bodies and minds. As advocates, it is our responsibility not only to advocate for others in a trauma-informed way, but also to care for ourselves by acknowledging the trauma that we absorb and are required to accommodate every day. Understanding secondary and vicarious trauma, and most importantly discussing strategies to proactively address their impacts is important so that we can keep doing great advocacy work for years to come. To address this need, we have developed training for our staff. We also are encouraging other advocacy organizations to explore how they can support staff in doing this important work.
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October is Disability Awareness Month
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National Voter Registration Drive
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We supported seven State University of New York (SUNY) campuses in organizing voter registration drives in recognition of National Voter Registration Day. We worked with disability service offices to ensure that students had the opportunity to register to vote, and learn about the rights of voters with disabilities.
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NYS Board of Election Considers Approval Of New Ballot Marking Device
The New York State Board of Elections (SBOE) is expected to vote on the certification of the Dominion ImageCast Evolution (ICE) Ballot Marking device (BMD). New York Election Law requires that all BMDs undergo this certification process.
Q. What does a BMD do?
A BMD is machine that allows voters with disabilities to mark a ballot privately and independently.
Q. Why is DRNY concerned about the ICE BMD?
The ICE BMD has a critical design flaw that impacts voters with disabilities. During a limited viewing of the ICE BMD on July 2, 2018, DRNY discovered that the device only has one access point to scan ballots and to function as the BMD. This means that voters using the ICE BMD to mark their ballots must interrupt the device’s scanning capabilities. In other words, the ICE device cannot simultaneously function as a BMD and ballot scanner.
Q. What do I do if I want to comment on this device?
You can submit your comments to the
New York State Board of Elections by simply writing a short email or calling. Send your email to
info@elections.ny.gov
attn. Elections Operations or call 518.473.5086 and ask to speak with the Director of Elections Operations.
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Event Canceled & Will Be Rescheduled
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The symposium scheduled for Wednesday October 17
th has been canceled due to an unforeseen accessibility issue that was brought to our attention this weekend. DRNY and the NYC Human Rights Commission are working on a new date and location for rescheduling. As soon as the new date is available we will let you know!
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Raise The Age Proposed
Regulations Harmful To Youth With Disabilities
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We submitted
comments
urging the State Commission of Correction (SCOC) to take action to protect youth with disabilities.
There are critical gaps in standards for youth with disabilities who will be confined in the new Specialized Secure Juvenile Detention (SSD) facilities. This new type of juvenile detention facility will house older youth as the state begins to implement Raise the Age legislation to end the prosecution of all 16- and 17-year olds as adults. We called on SCOC to recognize the disproportionate number of youth with disabilities who will be housed in these facilities and implement appropriate standards of care to safeguard their health and safety.
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With a new school year, parents and schools will be discussing how to best serve children with disabilities. As these discussions take place, it is important to think about how to have effective communication. “Communication Matters” details time-tested strategies used by parents and schools to ensure effective communication and improve the educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
Like, Share, Subscribe!
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Empire State Of Rights: Education Communication Tips
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In this addition of Empire State of Rights Closed Captioned, Julie Michaels Keegan Esq., PADD & PATBI Director, discusses useful strategies for educational team meetings, how to build communication & mutual respect, and staying organized.
If you have topics you'd like for us to discuss send an email to the newly created
podcast@drny.org
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We attended an opening reception at the Utica Public Library for Constance (Connie) Avery. Connie, a multimedia artist, working with acrylics, ink, photography and pottery, is also the subject of our next installment of #MyStoryDRNY.
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Do you know someone with a passion for advocating for people with disabilities? We are growing and we encourage you to share the news far and wide.
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You Shop AmazonSmile Gives
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Amazon.com makes it so easy to support the work we do here at DRNY! Visit
AmazonSmile and choose Disability Rights New York - You shop - Amazon.com gives!!
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We are looking for art to feature in our campaigns throughout 2018. This is an open call for
all media (paintings, sketches, photos, videos, projection, or digital art).
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DRNY is supported by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This Newsletter does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.
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