Friday, June 26th

A quiet sensory room will be available all day for people to take a break when needed.

8:00 - 9:00 am Registration

 

 

7:30 - 9:00 am Continental Breakfast in the Ballroom Terrace and Grand Ballroom

Enjoy a pastry, muffin, croissant, and fruit with coffee, tea or juice. 

A full breakfast buffet will be available for $15 in the hotel restaurant for those who arrive early or stay overnight

9:00 - 9:45 am Opening Ceremony in the Grand Ballroom

Honoring SANYS 40th Anniversary 

Welcome: Maria Torgalski, Director of Regional Office, OPWDD Region 1

40 Years of Self Advocacy: Russell Johnson

SANYS Board Report: Arnold Ackerley, SANYS Administrative Director. Western and Finger Lakes SANYS Board Members- Eric "Dr. Lucky" Bisantz, Ted Perry, and Marilyn Stata. BJ Stasio, Board Advisor. 

10:00 - 10:45 am Workshops Session A 

1. Self Advocate Speak Out Room: Ontario North

Join OPWDD for a Self-Advocate Speak Out to share your ideas, experiences, and what matters most to you. Your lived experience helps shape OPWDD's Strategic Plan and guide our future work. 

2. Ombudsperson- Help for Speaking Up and Getting Services- Room: Winton 

The NYS Omsbudsperson program can help you. Learn how. - Sam Mattle, Center for Self Advocacy -

3. Supportive Decision Making- Room: Ontario South

Make a plan with your guardian about what choices you can make for yourself and what you want them to decide for you. - Craig Mening, SDM Facilitator and Bobby Terry, Supported Decision Making pioneer.

4. How to Be the Boss of Your Staff in Self-Direction-Room: Jefferson

learn from two self-advocates and have a discussion about managing your own staff. - Renee Christian, Journey Life Coaching and Allen Fontaine, SANYS Field Assistant.

5. Telling Our Stories- Room: Atrium

Russell Johnson and Ted Perry will share their stories about their lives and about going on vacation and open it up for you to tell your story. 

11:00 -11:45 am Workshops Session B

6. From Housing to Success-  Room: Atrium

Matt Maclean and Luther Layne will share their experiences and things they have learned about moving out or moving between places like the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

7. From Daemen to Café Dreams: Hailey’s Story and the Future of Job Coaching - Room: Ontario North

Join Hailey as she shares her journey taking business classes at Daemen University and her plans to open a cafe in 2027.

8. Changing Care Managers - Room: Ontario South

How do you change care managers? How do you deal with issues with your care manager? - Craig Mening of Person Centered Services and Andrew Johnston.

9. Self-Direction: Classes - Room: Jefferson

What you can use your budget for: classes and other activities - Ta'Meca Surles, Self-Direction Broker.

10. How to Keep Myself Safe- Room: Winton

Understanding abuse, neglect, and exploitation - Sarah DiChristina and LaVance Martin, Arc Erie.

12:00 - 1:45 pm Lunch Banquet

Keynote: Moving Out - A Panel Discussion

Self-advocates from a variety of walks of life and experiences will talk about moving into and living in apartments and homes with support. 

Awards Ceremony

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Workshops Session C

11. Sexuality and Self Advocacy 101 - Room: Jefferson

Let's have a discussion about relationships, sexuality and speaking up for ourselves. - Shawn Stevenson and Hannah Brecher

12. Transportation - Room: Atrium

Meet with a member of Senator Cooney's office and share your experiences with transportation in your area. Senator Cooney is the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. - Mike Rogers and Stephanie Speaker.

 

 

Award Nominations

We received a lot of great nominations this year! We will honor our award winners on Friday's luncheon. 

Champions $2,500

Believers $1,500

Allies $750

Activators $100+

DDAWNY - Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY

Starbridge

First Presbyterian Church of Brockport

Speak Up! $10

Katie Schwarz

Russell Johnson