June 2004
SPOTLIGHT on...

Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day in Albany


The Assembly Task Force on People with Disabilities and the Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities are cosponsoring the Assembly’s annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day in Albany. The event is being held this year on Wednesday, June 16, 2004. Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day is held every year to provide an opportunity for legislators, their staffs and the general public to be educated on the issues that our community faces, and at the same time to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of advocates and people with disabilities.

Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day consists of many exciting events to which we will welcome New York’s disabilities community and its advocates, members of the Assembly and honored guests. Specifically, we are thrilled to welcome James Dickson, Vice President for Governmental Affairs of the American Association of People with Disabilities and Co-Chair of the Leadership Council on Civil Rights Election Reform Task Force. Mr. Dickson is a nationally recognized advocate and is widely known for the role he has played in developing an agenda to ensure that the needs of disabled individuals are met in the current election reform movement.

The proceedings of the day will be kicked off with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Well of the Legislative Office Building (LOB). In addition, organizations from all over the state that provide the latest services, programs and technology for people with disabilities will be on hand with exhibits in the Well and on the Third Floor Terrace of the LOB to answer questions and demonstrate their offerings. We are also hosting an exhibit of artwork done by people with disabilities and several seminars on issues of interest throughout the day. Programs include:

  • The Status of Olmstead in New York
  • Polling Place Access
  • Housing for People with Disabilities
  • Tennessee v. Lane, an Overview
  • Update on the Medicaid Buy-In Program
  • Due Process for Medicaid D.M.E. Applications

For the first time, we are sponsoring a poster contest with fourth grade students displaying their creativity through drawings that depict their perception of the issues that people with disabilities face. This year the Ellenville Elementary School participated. The entries we have received for this contest will be prominently displayed.

Finally, a package of legislation crafted with significant input from disabilities advocates will be on the floor of the Assembly. The Task Force is currently working on several legislative measures including such issues as ADA protections, election reform, housing, and Olmstead implementation, many of which we hope to address on Disabilities Awareness Day.

Provided by the
New York State Assembly
Task Force on People with Disabilities

Agency Building 4, 13th Floor
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4592
Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill, Chair
Kimberly T. Hill, Director

I truly hope that you will consider joining us on June 16th. Please contact Kimberly Hill, Director of the Task Force on People with Disabilities at 518-455-4592, for additional information about Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day. We hope to see you there.


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