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2026 New York State Advocacy Institute Application

The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD), along with the New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation and The Arc New York, is hosting a day-long, in-person Advocacy Institute.

Who: People with developmental disabilities new to advocacy and family members of people with developmental disabilities new to advocacy

Where: Holiday Inn Express, 16 Wolf Road, Albany, NY

When: Friday, September 18, 2026 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Cost: There is no cost to apply or participate in the Advocacy Institute if you are selected to attend.

Why: Learn about advocacy, acquire new skills, and increase confidence to meet with decision-makers.

What You Will Learn:
· How to tell your own story to better advocate with decision-makers
· Finding the right type of advocacy for you
· Disability issues and making systemic change
· Advocating with all types of decision-makers
· Tips for an effective meeting with any type of decision-maker

You will receive a certificate of completion and a one-year free membership to the NY Alliance advocacy email news.

Participants will be reimbursed for the cost of travel if they live more than 35 miles from the Holiday Inn Express on Wolf Road in Albany. If a train or bus ticket is purchased, the CDD will only reimburse for the cost of a coach or economy ticket. CDD will provide 1 hotel room, for 1 night, for participants traveling more than 2 hours to the event. An overnight room will only be provided at the Holiday Inn Express, which is the designated conference hotel.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on AUGUST 7, 2026. Space is limited.

Participants will be notified of selection by AUGUST 13, 2026 via email.

Participants who have participated in previous Advocacy Institutes are not permitted to apply.

For questions, email Jennifer Goldman at Jennifer.Goldman@cdd.ny.gov or call (518) 486-7505
1.Please enter your contact information below.(Required.)
2.Are you completing this form on someone's behalf?(Required.)
3.Please select the race/ethnicity that best describes you.(Required.)
4.What is your current gender?(Required.)
5.Please select the type of location where you live.(Required.)
6.How much experience do you have with advocacy?(Required.)
7.Which statement below best describes you?
A developmental disability is a disability that causes mental and/or physical challenges that impacts a person’s ability to take care of themselves. A developmental disability is diagnosed before the age of 22 and will continue throughout a person’s life.

A mental health diagnosis (like anxiety disorder) or a physical impairment (like loss of a leg) alone is not considered a developmental disability.(Required.)
8.Please select you or your family member's developmental disability. Check all that apply.(Required.)
9.Will you need reimbursement for travel expenses? Travel costs will be covered if you live more than 35 miles from the Holiday Inn Express on Wolf Road in Albany. Travel expenses include:
1. Bus ticket
2. Train ticket
3. Transportation from train or bus station to the Holiday Inn Express
4. Mileage for a personal car
PLEASE NOTE: The CDD will only reimburse for the cost of a coach/economy bus or train ticket.(Required.)
10.Will you require a hotel room? CDD will provide 1 hotel room for 1 night for participants traveling more than 2 hours to the event. Participants must stay at the Holiday Inn Express on Wolf Road in Albany.(Required.)
11.Will a support person be attending the event with you? This option is for participants with developmental disabilities. Only one support person per attendee will be accommodated.
(Required.)
12.Will your support person need hotel accommodations? The CDD will provide one additional hotel room for a participant with developmental disabilities' support person.(Required.)
13.Do you need any special accommodations? Check all that apply.
(Required.)
14.Why would you like to participate in the 2026 New York State Advocacy Institute? (Required.)
15.Participation Agreement(Required.)