ByJoseph M. Pancari “People with disabilities deserve the same opportunity as everyone else to choose where they live, build relationships, participate in their communities, and remain connected to the places they call home throughout their lives.” Housing has become one of the most prominent issues facing Americans in recent years and in New York, concerns…Read More…

Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick with legislators, CP Unlimited staff, caregivers and advocates. Photo courtesy of Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / Tom Staudter Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2026 4:27 pm State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Chris Burdick announced the passage of their “Traveling with Dignity Act” in both houses of the New York state Legislature and joined…Read More…

Scott Marracino Aug 19, 2026 There is a lady I like to meet every few weeks, often for lunch. Her name is Kaila. It hasn’t been going on for that long, but it’s really turned into something. What makes Kaila so special? For one thing, her friendliness. When she meets you, she wants to know…Read More…

June 5, 2026 | 5:00 am | Eric Gross Senator Pete Harckham ALBANY – Putnam-Westchester State Senator Pete Harckham met with dozens of advocates and support professionals during the past year who deal with the handicapped on a daily basis who highlighted the challenges related to dignity, accessibility, and inclusion faced by individuals with intellectual and…Read More…

June 4, 2026 ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors and injured veterans by requiring adult-sized changing stations in a wide range of public facilities across the state. The “Traveling With Dignity Act” passed both houses of the state Legislature and now awaits action…Read More…

by Joie Tyrrell Jun 4, 2026 Students in the DSP Pathways program joined special education students who run the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s coffee shop at Sanford H. Calhoun High School. Photo courtesy: Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Parents, advocates, educators, and leaders in the disability community applauded the state’s inaugural group of high…Read More…

BY Mark Goshgarian Chautauqua County PUBLISHED 8:40 AM ET Jun. 03, 2026 Robin Kestler has served as a direct support professional, or DSP, for more than 30 years at the Resource Center in Jamestown. “It’s rewarding because it makes me happy. It’s all about making sure people are taken care of,” Kestler said. What You Need To Know…Read More…

Nancy Cutler Rockland/Westchester Journal News May 15, 2026 NEW CITY – People with disabilities and the frontline direct care workers who support often struggle on the margins. Jawonio, which serves one group and employs the other, has launched a food pantry as one way to help. On May 14, the nonprofit opened the H.E.A.R.T. Food…Read More…

Published: Apr. 13, 2026, 4:52 p.m. By: Advance Local Express Desk Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced 30 awards totaling $25 million to expand health-care services across New York, including Staten Island, helping those with developmental disabilities and addressing longstanding barriers to comprehensive medical and dental care. The statewide initiative, part of Hochul’s 2025 State of…Read More…

By Ellen Gutmaker & Paul Joslyn | New York Disability Advocates | Published: Apr. 07, 2026, 8:30 a.m. Exterior view of the New York state Capitol and blooming tulip garden as legislative members work on passing legislation on Monday, May 8, 2017, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) SYRSYR Ellen Gutmaker is the CEO of Arc of Onondaga. Paul…Read More…