Family and Peer Empowerment

Offers volunteer and internship opportunities in key service areas including housing advocacy, independent living skills training, disability benefits counseling, and administrative support to build community engagement and workforce capacity.

Offers free benefits advisement, counseling, and application assistance for Social Security (SSI/SSDI), work incentive programs, and local social services to individuals with disabilities in Dutchess County. Services include monthly in-person and virtual workshops, mobile counseling for those with transportation limitations, and ongoing support since 2000.

Provides comprehensive independent living assistance to individuals with disabilities in Dutchess County, including self-advocacy training, life skills development, housing advocacy, peer counseling, information and referral services, and support for navigating community challenges. Services are delivered through in-person and virtual workshops, individual consultations, and peer-led programs.

Conducts individual and systems-level advocacy to advance equal opportunities and full inclusion for people with disabilities, including civil rights advocacy, enforcement of ADA and other disability rights laws, and efforts to remove financial, architectural, communication, and attitudinal barriers.

Provides American Sign Language (ASL) classes for families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children and offers professional sign language interpreter referral services, video phone support, and communication access solutions such as CART and assisted listening devices.

Provides advocacy and support services to families navigating Special Education services and 504 Plans through monthly virtual support groups and the Parent Empowerment Program, helping parents and caregivers advocate effectively for students with disabilities.

Provides direct assistance by answering questions from families and individuals on special education and disability-related topics, complementing the Help Line and resource library services.

Offers over 40 workshop topics for parents, caregivers, professionals, and young adults on special education, transition planning, behavior support, and family engagement, available in person or via live stream.

Implements experiential learning through the Bridges program and High School Launch to build life skills, self-advocacy, and academic success for youth with IEPs, supporting college, workforce, and independent living readiness.

Hosts the INCLUDEnyc Fair, College Is Possible, Outdoors for Autism, and other events connecting families with service providers and educational opportunities; includes annual 5k event to build community among families and supporters in New York City.

Provides personalized direct assistance to parents, caregivers, and professionals on disability-related topics through a multilingual Help Line; 95% of surveyed callers reported that the information provided made a positive difference.

Maintains a topic- and age-organized library of up-to-date, multilingual tools and materials on disability-related topics and distributes news and events through the Navigator, Navegador, and ACCESS email newsletters.

Offers intensive direct support to young people through Project Possibility and transition-focused workshops to help them create postsecondary action plans for education, employment, and independence.

Offers training and technical assistance to professionals in workforce development and education programs to improve services for young people with disabilities.

Served over 15,000 individuals directly and reached over 400,000 New Yorkers through communications and outreach efforts.

Provides individualized programs and services for children with special needs to promote thriving and development, alongside support services for their parents.

Engages families in advocacy efforts such as letter-writing campaigns and town hall meetings, and champions legislation to protect the rights of individuals with autism. Advocacy focuses on promoting inclusive, safe, accessible, and affordable communities with comprehensive support systems.

Connects individuals and families in the autism community with needed support services and resources, aiming to strengthen community networks and access to care.