From Thursday, October 24, to Saturday, October 26, twenty-six members of the AHRC community including self-advocates and staff attended the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) Annual Statewide Conference in Albany.

The conference provides workshops, activities, and networking for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities to meet, learn, share ideas, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes. People supported by the agency attend every year, looking forward to making their voices heard and becoming leaders in disability self-advocacy. Support staff also attend to assist people who benefit from the additional aid.

A Self-Advocate’s Journey

Among the attendees this year was 29-year-old Tuvia Naftali, who receives day services at AHRC Nassau’s Freeport Program Without Walls (PWW). He lives with his family in West Hempstead and has a love and fascination for technology, transit, and trains. He attended the conference for the third time with Direct Support Professional James “Jimmy” Flynn.

“We rode the Amtrak express on the yellow track,” said Tuvia. “I took a workshop on transit. I saw Dr. Elizabeth’s speech and learned about rights advocacy.”

Workforce Equity and DEI Specialist Tolulope Elizabeth Adenekan, Ph.D., led a presentation with self-advocate and Quality Assurance Trainer Coleen Mackin and Assistant Director Project Development Bridget Cariello discussing the New York State Community of Practice on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Tuvia’s goals include learning to be a rights advocate, getting involved in SANYS and working toward traveling independently.

This year, Tuvia and Jimmy rode the train up to Albany, which added to Tuvia’s excitement as learning to ride the train and Long Island Railroad (LIRR) regularly is a significant part of his Personal Outcome Measures (POMs). During POMs interviews people supported are encouraged to discuss their goals and aspirations. The POMs department then shares this information with support staff to help them incorporate these goals into daily activities

As an agency designated with Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, With Distinction from The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), AHRC Nassau maintains the most stringent standards for human services organizations. This is possible due to regular POM interviews conducted by our POMs department, which Tuvia participates in every three years.

With Jimmy’s assistance, Tuvia was able to work on his goals and grow as a self-advocate.

“He had a great time, and I was so happy,” said Jimmy.

On Saturday they returned from the conference on the bus with the group of AHRC self-advocates. Next year, he is looking forward to taking the train both to and from the conference.