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

The National Civilian Rehabilitation Act, also known as the Smith-Fess Act, was signed into law this week in 1920. It to...
06/04/2026

The National Civilian Rehabilitation Act, also known as the Smith-Fess Act, was signed into law this week in 1920. It took earlier federal programs to help WWI veterans find work and applied them to all Americans with disabilities, acting as a foundation for later vocational programs on the federal and state level.

https://ldaamerica.org/legislative_news/100-years-vocational-rehab/

Autism is unique to every individual, and for those with increased needs, a holistic, person-centered approach is necess...
06/03/2026

Autism is unique to every individual, and for those with increased needs, a holistic, person-centered approach is necessary for the best care. Join us on June 11th and 18th as Dr. Susan Scharoun explores a variety of methods to ensure the best quality of life and autonomy for those with autism. Learn more and register here: https://nyalliance.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=540&ts=1779285566

In the newest episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise and guest John Raffaele discuss the timely evolution of the NADSP...
06/02/2026

In the newest episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise and guest John Raffaele discuss the timely evolution of the NADSP Code of Ethics. John, a veteran in human services, highlights the need for and the transition from a primarily custodial focus to a recognition of direct support as a specialized, essential profession, aligning with broader themes such as person-centered support, cultural humility, technology, justice, and equity. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Happy June! Today kickoffs Pride Month where we celebrate the contributions and diversity of identities for Le***an, Gay...
06/01/2026

Happy June! Today kickoffs Pride Month where we celebrate the contributions and diversity of identities for Le***an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Q***r, and other gender and sexual identities in our communities.

While LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion have increased in nonprofits, we are still seeing:
Attacks targeting the community that lead to increased discrimination and harm
Performative or fragile leaders that say they are inclusive but make no organizational changes
A lack of culturally inclusive education that lifts up all community members, especially LGBTQ+ people who have intersecting identities
Much more showing that there needs to be more work to improve LGBTQ+ equity throughout nonprofits

A tool that human services DEIB professionals and committee members can utilize to assess their organization’s LGBTQ+ inclusion strategies and identify next steps to improve is the Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist and Multicultural Organization. This can be found in our DEIB Toolkit. Here’s a quick assessment on how to apply it to LGBTQ+ Inclusion.

Exclusive: Organizations that actively harm the LGBTQ+ community
Ex: Nonprofits who engage in harmful discrimination and actively advocate against LGBTQ+ human rights

Passive: Nonprofits that tokenize LGBTQ+ and only tolerate if they fit their heteronormative and cisgender cultures
Ex: Recruiting for LGBTQ+ board members or staff but forcing them to conform

Symbolic: Organizations that indicate that are inclusive but are performative in their actions
Ex: Posting about pride month on social media or changing their marketing but only during the one month and doing nothing else throughout the rest of the year

Identity: Nonprofits that adapt LGBTQ+ initiatives but do not engage in any structural changes
Ex: An agency walking in the Pride Parade but not educating their staff on culturally inclusive communication or updating their status quo

Structural: Agencies who make the investment to creating a nonprofit allowing for LGBTQ+ belonging and authenticity
Ex: Engaging in comprehensive organizational assessments and evaluation and investing in LGBTQ+ experts and team members

Multicultural: Organizations that are the model of success
Ex. Organizations that have completed transformative redesigns of their organizations and have systems in place to cultivate innovation and sustainability for intersectionality and equity

Based on your public communications, there are probably assumptions of where your organization is based on your messaging or lack of effort. Use this tool to communicate the importance to everyone at your organization about the tremendous impacts of a multicultural organization.

Our Member Monday spotlight this week highlights one of our newest members, the Block Institute. Through programs from a...
06/01/2026

Our Member Monday spotlight this week highlights one of our newest members, the Block Institute. Through programs from an aquatic center to therapy dogs, the Block Institute is a major supporter of Brooklynites with I/DD.

ICYMI: In the latest episode of DSP Chat, host Asheley Blaise delves into the power of appreciative inquiry in direct su...
05/29/2026

ICYMI: In the latest episode of DSP Chat, host Asheley Blaise delves into the power of appreciative inquiry in direct support work. Emphasizing the importance of asking better questions, this episode invites listeners to reconsider the relationship between the DSP and a person receiving services, proposing partnership and co-creation over power dynamics and seeing the person as "a problem to be fixed". Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thomas Wiggins, one of the most famous pianists of his time, was born this week in 1849. Blind from birth and widely bel...
05/28/2026

Thomas Wiggins, one of the most famous pianists of his time, was born this week in 1849. Blind from birth and widely believed to have been autistic, he was placed in a conservatorship until his death, taking advantage of his skills and providing a historical snapshot on the intersection between societal ableism and racism.

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/thomas-wiggins-documentary/33570/

Our member spotlight is proud to feature the work done by Abbott House! Prominently helping children in the foster care ...
05/25/2026

Our member spotlight is proud to feature the work done by Abbott House! Prominently helping children in the foster care system, Abbott House has extended many of its services, primarily housing, to also help those with I/DD.

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

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