NY Alliance

NY Alliance NYSACRA is a catalyst and leading advocate for people who have developmental disabilities and organizations that support them.

The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, a statewide association of non-profit providers, is the result of the coming together of NYSACRA and NYSRA; both representing 40 years, respectively, of advancing the interests of provider organizations

📢 Join Us in Albany! On March 10th at 11:30 am, we're rallying at the Capitol Building. We need your help to call on our...
02/19/2026

📢 Join Us in Albany! On March 10th at 11:30 am, we're rallying at the Capitol Building. We need your help to call on our legislators!

We're advocating for increased funding for disability services through a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase, the inclusion of affordable housing initiatives, enhancing the NYS Child and Dependent Care Credit, and restoring healthcare enhancement programs.

Let's work together to secure a stable care system for the I/DD community. There is power in numbers!

Earlier this month saw what would have been the 81st birthday of Mike Oliver. Following an accident that left him paraly...
02/19/2026

Earlier this month saw what would have been the 81st birthday of Mike Oliver. Following an accident that left him paralyzed, he became the first professor of Disability Studies in the world, founded the international journal Disability and Society, and refined existing ideas into the Social Model of Disability, which posits that “disability” results from the interaction between a person’s characteristics and their unsuitable environment – not their medical condition.

https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/ukdhm/oliver
https://www.thesocialcreatures.org/thecreaturetimes/the-social-model-of-disability

Are You Really a People-First Agency? Many human services leaders claim to be people-first in their program and employee...
02/18/2026

Are You Really a People-First Agency?
Many human services leaders claim to be people-first in their program and employee practices, but their actions might say otherwise. This chart shares content originally from Hacking HR that challenges nonprofit executives to reflect:

Are we truly people-first, or just performative?
As leaders in human services nonprofits, our mission is rooted in supporting people but are our actions aligning with our words?
How many of these apply to your nonprofit?
Do you say you’re saying you’re committed to being people-first, but only until it costs something?
Do your leaders value employees in theory but haven’t put it into practice?
In a time where mental health issues are increasing, does your agency actually protect your team’s mental health to prevent burnout?

It’s a great tool to pause and ask yourself, are we actually living by our values and unintentionally causing harm?

To move beyond performative actions, here are three assessment strategies from our diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) toolkit.

1. Employee Surveys and Listening sessions. Engage your employees and collect feedback to understand your team's real experiences. Are they feeling supported, or are there gaps between policy and practice?

2. Equity Audits: Review your policies, practices, and outcomes to identify where inequities exist. Are layoffs, promotions, and professional development opportunities truly fair and inclusive? Have you disaggregated your data across underrepresented identities?

3. Strategic plan review: take a look at your strategic plan and determine if employee retention strategies, assigned roles, a budget, and metrics. How are leaders held responsible for fostering an inclusive culture, or is it just lip service?

Check out more resources on staff retention, organizational culture, and belonging by visiting the toolkit on the Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation website. Let’s actually implement People-First practices!

Out now: The latest DSP Chat features host Asheley Blaise exploring the concept of the dignity of risk. This episode is ...
02/17/2026

Out now: The latest DSP Chat features host Asheley Blaise exploring the concept of the dignity of risk. This episode is a compelling narrative that challenges conventional practices and calls for a transformative shift in thinking among caregivers and support professionals, nurturing independence and potential in people with I/DD without compromising safety. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, our member spotlight looks to the Hudson Valley and on Triform! One of 15 chapters of the Camphill program in...
02/16/2026

This week, our member spotlight looks to the Hudson Valley and on Triform! One of 15 chapters of the Camphill program in the US, Triform Camphill Community provides an open community where people with I/DD can thrive.

February 15th marks International Angelman Day. Aside from raising awareness of this often overlooked condition, the day...
02/15/2026

February 15th marks International Angelman Day. Aside from raising awareness of this often overlooked condition, the day is also meant to promote research, encourage fundraising, and remember those with the condition who are no longer with us.

Learn more here: https://angelmanday.info/what-is-IAD/

Credit to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation for the logo.

Want to stay updated on best practices in the I/DD sector? Be sure to attend RCWT’s Statewide General Meeting on Februar...
02/13/2026

Want to stay updated on best practices in the I/DD sector? Be sure to attend RCWT’s Statewide General Meeting on February 18th! No matter what role you hold, this meeting serves as an excellent opportunity to collaborate and strengthen our collective efforts in creating a strong, inclusive, and person-centered workforce. Learn more and register here: https://www.workforcetransformation.org/upcomingevents/statewide-general-meeting-45/

On February 5th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy made to Congress “a special message on mental illness and mental retard...
02/12/2026

On February 5th, 1963, President John F. Kennedy made to Congress “a special message on mental illness and mental retardation”. The message called for a drastic overhaul and investment into both mental health and I/DD treatment, seeking a multi-pronged solution to “a problem unpleasant to mention, easy to postpone, and despairing of solution.”
Read the full statement here: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/special-message-the-congress-mental-illness-and-mental-retardation

DISCLAIMER: The R-word is used in this post solely in a historical context. The NY Alliance does not endorse the usage of the word in any wider setting.

This Monday served as an electrifying start to the Alliance’s week, as we hosted our annual Legislative and Advocacy For...
02/11/2026

This Monday served as an electrifying start to the Alliance’s week, as we hosted our annual Legislative and Advocacy Forum in Albany! Attendees were provided with updates and an in-depth analysis of the proposed state budget from State officials and Albany insiders in addition to presentations on what to expect on the federal front. We are happy our information reached so many, and we thank you for joining us to help make sure our voices are heard loud and clear in Albany!

Turn Conflict into Collaboration: Join our upcoming DEIB webinar. If we want to embrace the diversity of our organizatio...
02/10/2026

Turn Conflict into Collaboration: Join our upcoming DEIB webinar.

If we want to embrace the diversity of our organizations, conflict is inevitable. However, it does not mean it cannot be productive, supportive, and lead to transformative results. We need different opinions and perspectives to design innovative, adaptable, and sustainable strategies. As human services professionals, we need to strengthen our conflict resolution skills to overcome challenges and foster stronger cultures of belonging.

Join us on February 19 from 1 to 2 pm EST for our FREE webinar.

You’ll learn how to:
âś… Apply trauma-informed techniques to de-escalate conflicts
âś… Structure conversations so every voice is heard
âś… Mediate disagreements with a focus on inclusion

It’s a perfect learning opportunity for human resources/HR leaders, managers, and anyone committed to fostering psychological safety and stronger teams.

Check out the attached flyer for more information and registration.

ICYMI: In the latest thought-provoking episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise talks with Christopher Lyons, CEO of AIM...
02/10/2026

ICYMI: In the latest thought-provoking episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise talks with Christopher Lyons, CEO of AIM Services, Inc., and delves into the often overlooked right of "dignity of risk." Blaise and Lyons explore the shift away from fear-based decision-making and the latest push on using dignity of risk to promote true autonomy and self-determination. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Our Member Monday goes down to Long Island this week to look at Developmental Disabilities Institute! From research prog...
02/09/2026

Our Member Monday goes down to Long Island this week to look at Developmental Disabilities Institute! From research programs to information sharing and exchange, Developmental Disabilities Institute is at the forefront of providing the best supports possible to the people who make it up.

Address

240 Washington Avenue Ext, Ste 501
Albany, NY
12203

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15187953590

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when NY Alliance posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to NY Alliance:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Our Story

The New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (New York Alliance) envisions a society where people with disabilities live full, productive and meaningful lives with access to opportunities of independence, inclusion, employment and other life-enrichment experiences. We are committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities through our advocacy, advancement of public policy, education and training and technical assistance. Visit the New York Alliance at www.nyalliance.org to learn more.