You’re Invited: Share Your Voice in New York’s Olmstead Listening Sessions
New York State is working on a new Olmstead Plan – a plan that helps make sure
people with disabilities can live in the community they choose, with the support they need.
To help shape this work, we’re hosting nine virtual listening sessions, and we want to hear from you.
Topic-Based Listening Sessions
Each topic-based session will be three hours long and will focus on a key area of life for people with disabilities. There will be two more topic-based sessions this month:
Today, Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Session 2: Rights Protection and System Accountability
Knowing your rights are protected, being treated with dignity, and having systems that work and respond fairly.
Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Session 3: Community Integration and Choice
Living where and with whom you want, making your own choices, and being part of your community.
Region-Based Listening Sessions (listening sessions regions are listed on the sign up form and here below)
Each region-based session will be one hour long, and will focus on the needs and experiences of people with disabilities in a specific region of New York State. There will be one more region-based session this month:
Thursday, July 31st, 2025 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Region NYC Webinar (New York City – Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond)
We value your unique experiences and ideas, and we believe you can help make this plan stronger.
Please register to speak here: Register
Everyone is welcome – people with disabilities, family members, and especially those we have not heard from before.
Sessions will be held virtually.
You must register to speak ahead of time.
Please choose the listening sessions closest to the topic that you would like to discuss.
Links (and schedule of speakers) will be sent prior to the event.
You will be given 5 minutes to speak.
All sessions will be recorded.
If you need a reasonable accommodation, you must indicate so on the registration form. We are providing reasonable accommodations upon request.
Can’t make it? You’re welcome to share written feedback to olmsteadplanny@exec.ny.gov.
Your voice matters. We thank you in advance for the value you will bring to these conversations. We hope you’ll join us.
Downstate New York ADAPT is sharing this information. Please note that the information provided as well as the event or activity listed is the sole responsibility of the presenter, sponsor, organization and/or agency. Any issues should be reported to the presenter, sponsor, organization and/or agency in charge. Please share this email with friends and family. (kc)
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From your Downstate NY ADAPT Co-coordinators
Free Our People!
Visit our website at: www.DNYADAPT.com