Modified: January 23, 2018 9:36am
New York State Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board Announces Upstate and Downstate Public Forums
In November of 2016, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law Chapter 469 of 2016 which created the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board (the Board) to help provide guidance and information to New York policymakers, individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, and families seeking reliable information regarding available services and supports.
The Members of the Board are tasked with several important duties including:
- Studying and reviewing the effectiveness of supports and services currently being provided to people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders;
- Identifying legislative and regulatory activity which may be required to improve existing service systems that support people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders;
- Identifying methods of improving interagency coordination of services and maximizing the impact and effectiveness of services and agency functions; and,
- Other matters as deemed appropriate by the Board.
The Board is developing recommendations in these areas, with concentration on a variety of topics laid out in their first report, and is seeking input into what these recommendations should be.
The Board hereby announces public forums which you are cordially invited to attend. For your convenience, two “satellite” locations (connected by videoconference) are available as well as the main “host” site for each forum.
Upstate Forum
February 13 (Tuesday) from Noon to 2:00 P.M.
Syracuse (Host Site)
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Regional Office
Regional Training Center
187 Northern Concourse, North Syracuse, NY 13212
Rochester (Connected to the Host Site by Videoconference)
OPWDD Regional Office
Room 25 Leaf
620 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY 14620
Schenectady (Connected to the Host Site by Videoconference)
OPWDD Regional Office
Room 2, Building 3
500 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304
Downstate Forum
February 22 (Thursday) from Noon to 2:00 P.M.
Manhattan (Host Site)
Department of Health Office (in the Federal Office Building)
Room A/B, 4th Floor
90 Church Street, Manhattan, NY 10007
Queens (Connected to the Host Site by Videoconference)
OPWDD Regional Office
Room VC-2, Building 80
80-45 Winchester Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11427
Long Island (Connected to the Host Site by Videoconference)
OPWDD Regional Office
Multi-Purpose Room
415-A Oser Avenue, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Each forum will be hosted by Chairperson Courtney Burke and members of the Board.
If you wish to speak at the forum, you are asked to reflect on one or more of the following questions:
- What is working in terms of services for people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and what models would you like to see more of?
- What can be improved of in terms of government interagency coordination?
- How can people with ASD be more accepted in their communities and in the workplace?
- What is one legislative or regulatory change that you think could make a great, positive impact for people with ASD?
You do not have to speak at the forum to provide input—written remarks are accepted as well. Both written and spoken comments will be given equal consideration.
Written comments may be sent by email to: ASDadvisoryboard@opwdd.ny.gov
Or by mail to: OPWDD
Attn: N. Mitchell, ASD Board
44 Holland Ave, 3rd Floor
Albany, NY 12229
If you wish to attend and/or speak at the forum nearest you, please click here to register at the Board’s webpage.