Your Advocacy Journey

People with developmental disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. You have the right to live with dignity, make your own choices, and fully participate in your communities. Understanding your rights in an important step to advocating for yourself. There are several laws protecting the rights of people with developmental disabilities. These include:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, is a landmark civil rights law designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in everyday life
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law in the United States that ensures free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities, from birth through age 21. It also provides special education and related services to meet the needs of students with developmental disabilities.
• The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a U.S. federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in certain areas of employment, programs, and services. It was signed into law on September 26, 1973 by President Richard Nixon.

If you need help or feel your rights have been violated, there are programs designed to help.

• Disability Rights New York provides free legal and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities.
• Justice Center for People with Developmental Disabilities helps protect people with DD from abuse and neglect.

Understanding how an idea becomes a law is important because it affects your ability as a citizen to participate in society. If you understand how an idea becomes a law, you can better speak up on issues that matter to you. 

It can be helpful to know more about bills and laws. Click below to learn how to Search for a Bill in the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate

How to Search for a Bill in New York State 

A legislator is a person who is elected or appointed to make laws. In New York State, that usually means someone who serves in the New York State Assembly or Senate. 

Legislators represent the people in their district or state. They listen to the concerns of their constituents, debate ideas, and vote on bills that can become laws. Their job is to help shape policies on issues like education, healthcare, transportation, and the environment.

One of the most important ways to be a self-advocate is to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with your legislators. You can use the button below to find out who they are and how to get in contact with them. 

Find You Legislators