The Fall 2026 Issue of DATN Connect Is Here!
Workshops, partner events, and more from the NYS Disability Advocacy Training Network
The first issue of DATN Connect, the newsletter of the NYS Disability Advocacy Training Network (DATN), is out now. Whether you are a self-advocate, a family caregiver, or a partner organization, this issue is for you. Here is a quick look at what’s inside.
Meet the OPWDD Commissioner
On Wednesday, October 21, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM ET, Willow Baer, Commissioner of OPWDD, will be the guest speaker at the Disability Conversations Group. The virtual meeting is hosted by the Hear Our Voices! Self-Advocacy Group at Westchester Institute for Human Development. It is a direct chance to hear from OPWDD’s leadership and to share your own experiences and questions.
Why Advocacy Matters Right Now
New York’s latest state budget included modest increases for OPWDD programs, but many services depend on federal Medicaid dollars, and there is ongoing uncertainty at the federal level. Nothing has changed yet. That is exactly why your voice matters. When decision-makers hear from self-advocates and families, it makes a difference. The newsletter shares simple steps you can take, from contacting your representatives to sharing your story.
Free Fall Workshops
DATN is offering workshops for families and self-advocates this fall. Each session is 1.5 hours long:
How a Bill Becomes a Law / Advocating in Albany — October 2 and October 8
Disability Rights 101 — October 7
School Advocacy — October 13
Let Your Story Advocate for You! — October 19
Making Self-Direction Work for You — October 20
IPSE 101: Growing Inclusive Postsecondary Education in New York State —October 21
Find full times and register through the DATN Fall Workshop Registration form: NYS Disability Advocacy Training Network (DATN) Fall Workshop Registration – Fill out form
See Us Across New York State
We are proud to work with partners including the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS), TriaDD, the New York Alliance for Developmental Disabilities (NYADD), and Independent Support Services (ISS). This fall, you can find us at:
The SANYS 2026 Annual Statewide Conference, October 15–17 at the Albany Marriott, where we will be presenting and hosting a table
TriaDD Community Networking Events in the North Country (October 1), Capital Region (October 8), Plattsburgh (October 14), and Sullivan County (October 22)
For dates, times and locations, please see the full newsletter
About DATN
DATN is housed at the Center on Disability and Inclusion (CDI) in Syracuse University’s School of Education, with funding from the New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD).
Read the Full Newsletter
Read the full Fall 2026 issue of DATN Connect for event details, registration links, and more.
Have a story to share or a question to ask? We’d love to hear from you. Email advocacynetwork@syr.edu, and follow us on Facebook X Instagram for updates.
