2010 Legislative Program

Legislative Program Cover Letter to Governor Paterson & Legislature, click here (link opens PDF)

ADULT SERVICES

Goal: Improve access to necessary services for adults with Learning Disabilities.

  • Revise OMRDD Eligibility to better accommodate persons with Learning Disabilities.  LDANYS strongly supports S.5209 (Huntley)/A.8248 (P. Rivera) which provides a measured and incremental OMRDD eligibility process that is cost-effective and responsive to the needs of certain adults with LD.
  • Oppose regressive budget cuts for OMRDD Programs and Services, which target and harm some of the most vulnerable and needy persons of New York State.  
  • Reinstate the Trend Factor for OMRDD programs and Services so that individuals with learning disabilities, their families and loved ones can be assured that providers will have the resources to provide necessary and important programs and services and recruit and retain quality staff to implement those services.

 

EDUCATION

GOAL I: Oppose regressive budget cuts to schools and education.  Assure that adequate funding is available for IDEA

GOAL II: Improve the vocational outcomes of individuals with LD

  • Increase the commitment of VESID in assisting individuals with LD in pursuing post secondary options beyond supported employment.
  • Substantially increase the starting salary of individuals with LD receiving VESID services.

GOAL III: Increase the level of literacy for adolescents and adults with learning disabilities

  • Improve adolescent literacy programs to increase the general reading level, while also focusing on higher order reading and writing skills needed for more advanced curriculum.
  • Improve adult literacy programs to enhance individuals' abilities to meet daily life activities, as well as increasing access to employment opportunities and improving workplace performance.

GOAL IV: Strengthen transition services for youth with learning disabilities.

  • Assure school district compliance with existing NYS and federal law regarding required transition services.
  • Promote interagency collaboration in development and implementation of IDEA transition plans and stronger monitoring of implementation.

GOAL V:  Assure that all students with learning disabilities graduate from high school with a diploma recognized by institutions of hiring learning, employers, military etc.

  • Reform the NYS Practice of awarding IEP diplomas.  Assure that students with learning disabilities are provided the opportunity and support to graduate with a High School diploma.
  • Assure that children and their families are well informed of the full consequences if they are on track to receive anything less then a fully recognized diploma, such as an IEP diploma, and assure that such options are used rarely and for very exceptional circumstances.

 

HEALTH and PREVENTION

GOAL: Understand and address harmful effects of environmental influences on children's health and development.

  • Provide full funding for the New York State System of Children’s Environmental Health Centers of Excellence.
  • Implement comprehensive chemical policy reform legislation that will identify chemicals of high concern to developing fetuses and children and prioritize such chemicals for greater awareness and prevention of learning disabilities and other adverse health impacts.
  • Implement effective bans of known neuro-toxic chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA)
  • Implement lead poisoning prevention legislation to provide for primary prevention and improved screening to prevent disability in children resulting from exposures to lead in housing and other sources.

 

STATE AGENCY COLLABORATION

GOAL:  Assure that disparate state agencies in New York State meet the needs of persons with learning disabilities through knowledge, coordination, and cooperation.

  • Appointment of a State-Level Task Force to consist of representatives of education, special education and vocational rehabilitation, health, environmental health, juvenile justice, corrections, substance abuse, public assistance and others that will seek to identify and appropriately serve persons with LD of all ages. The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council could serve as an example for this initiative.