Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York-DDAWNY

06/17/2026

The Trump administration is making good on a long-promised plan to shift responsibility for many special education programs out of the U.S. Department of Education.

06/15/2026

A new federal rule requires airlines to take steps to ensure that they are prepared to assist passengers with disabilities and carriers have just a few more days to comply.

06/11/2026

Congratulations to Erie County Office for People with Disabilities Director Frank Cammarata, who was presented the Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award by Western New York Independent Living.

The Wels Award is given to the person who personally and professionally supports, promotes and embraces the Independent Living philosophy throughout the community.

For more on ECOPD, visit erie.gov/ecopd.

06/10/2026

Although benefits for the 25-26 HEAP season are no longer available, we look forward to meeting with you on the following dates to answer any questions and provide information about energy-related assistance programs.

06/10/2026

For National Homeowners Month, we wanted to highlight a video we made focused on housing solutions for people with developmental disabilities.

This video looks at a Long Island development named Riverview Lofts, which integrated ten units of affordable housing set aside for people with disabilities. This video represents one of the success stories resulting from the Statewide and Regional Housing Collaboratives Initiative, a partnership with the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation.

To watch the video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HarK5wudjSY

06/04/2026

Join Muddy Wheels Accessible Outdoors and Western New York Trout Unlimited for a FREE Accessible Fishing Event on Saturday, June 6th at 10:00 AM at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park! Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to learn how to use a fly rod, enjoy the outdoors, and experience the fun of fishing with the support of experienced mentors. We love sharing opportunities that make recreation more accessible for everyone, be sure to RSVP using the QR code on the flyer! 🐟

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/

06/01/2026

Registration deadline is June 5th for speakers at Disability Pride Festival. Do you have a topic you can share in a 3-to-5-minute presentation? Or a 10-12-minute talk? Maybe you can put the art in "Art of Access" with a cool poster - enter the contest!
https://jacobsschool.formstack.com/forms/disability_pride_speakers_information

06/01/2026

05/29/2026

Our 38th Annual Developmental Disability Awareness Day Conference was filled with connection, learning, advocacy, celebration, and community—and it would not have been possible without the incredible people who came together to make it all happen.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! From our committee members, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, presenters, and Niagara Falls Convention Center's staff to our local politicians, award winners, and attendees—this day would not have been possible without your support and presence.

A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Jesi Stracham, for such an empowering presentation, our workshop presenters for sharing their knowledge, and our amazing MCs for helping guide us through the day.

We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this conference such a meaningful and memorable experience for our community! 💜