Empowering Choice, Upholding Rights, Transforming Lives.
Who We Are
Mission:
We advocate for the constitutional right of people with disabilities to live in the community on their own terms and to choose the services they receive.
Vision:
We aim to protect and improve the system of individual Self-Directed budgets in New York State, as a key pathway to fostering integrated lives rooted in freedom of choice.
Goals:
We aim to make Self-Direction accessible, empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to choose where they live, their services, and goals, ensuring the freedom of choice.
Twenty years ago, Dr. Allen Schwartz of OPWDD sketched out a vision of how Self-Direction can deliver integrated services based on the civil right to choose. New York State has repeatedly acknowledged its obligation to deliver on Olmstead. Ten years ago, the 2013 report of the Olmstead Cabinet closed with the promise to:
“Safeguard the fundamental civil rights of New Yorkers with disabilities to lead integrated lives.”
Dr. Allen Schwartz of OPWDD
Today, we want New York State to make good on the Olmstead Decision and uphold its 2013 promise.
“Safeguard the fundamental civil rights of New Yorkers with disabilities to lead integrated lives.”