WORKERS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

New York Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to People with Developmental Disabilities

The New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides high-quality, person-centered services, supports and advocacy to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. OPWDD works with a network of not-for-profit providers to help people with developmental disabilities lead richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and productivity and homes in their communities. OPWDD also provides leadership and excellence in the field of research and in developing public policy in the field of developmental disabilities services. In keeping with its commitment to "Putting People First," OPWDD invests heavily in enhancing its partnership with other state and local agencies. OPWDD is focused on seamlessly meshing its system of service provision with a broad network of state agencies whose work interconnects with the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
44 Holland Avenue
Albany, NY 12229
Information Line 866-946-9733
TTY: 866-933-4889
Web directory of offices

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for People with Developmental Disabilities

In New York's Department of Education is the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). VESID offers supported employment services through their 15 local district offices. Initial supported employment funding is provided by VESID. After an individual has stabilized on the job, funding is transitioned to OPWDD for the ongoing supports needed to maintain employment. OPWDD funding is made available through the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver or for persons not eligible for the HCBS waiver, through 100% state funding.

New York State Education Department
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
One Commerce Plaza, Room 1609
Albany, NY 12234
Phone: 800-222-5627

Sheltered Employment

All programs that serve individuals with developmental disabilities are certified by the New York State OPWD. Though some sheltered workshop programs are accredited by CARF, New York does not require programs to be CARF accredited. CARF requires providers to conduct an annual comprehensive safety inspection, emergency procedures, personnel training on safety issues, and critical incident reporting, among other things.

website
Phone: 888-281-6531 (located in Tucson, AZ)

The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWD) provides access for workers with developmental disabilities through regional offices overseen by Developmental Disability Services Offices (DDSOs).

New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
44 Holland Avenue
Albany, New York 12229
Information Line 866-946-9733
TTY: 866-933-4889

Competitive Employment

In New York, through the authority of Chapter 515, of the Laws of 1992, The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), has been assigned the responsibility for administering, establishing standards, and monitoring the service component of competitive employment services for workers with disabilities. VESID starts with the presumption that all persons with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services and should have opportunities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. VESID provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals to prepare them for suitable jobs. These jobs might be in the competitive work force, in self-owned businesses, or in supported employment on employer sites.

Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
One Commerce Plaza, Room 1603
Albany, New York 12234
Phone: 800-222-JOBS or 800-222-5627

Health and Safety

The Department of Labor's On-Site Consultation Program provides free advice and assistance to small business employers to help them comply with Federal Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Standards. There is no charge to business for the assistance provided under the program. All safety, industrial hygiene and training services are entirely free and confidentiality is maintained to the extent permitted by law.

New York On-Site Consultation Program
State Office Campus Building 12, Room 158
Albany, New York 12240
Phone: 518-457-2238
Fax: 518-457-2810

The Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau oversees workplace protection of public employees at the state and municipal level. If a sheltered workshop participant in a public setting believes a violation of worker health and safety has occurred, they should file a complaint with the Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau.

New York Public Employee Safety and Health Program
State Office Campus Building 12, Room 158
Albany, New York 12240
Phone: 518-457-1263
Fax: 518-457-5508

Private sector employees in New York are covered by federal OSHA. To report concerns about safety and health in competitive employment, contact your area federal OSHA office.
website

Albany Area Office
401 New Karner Road, Suite 300
Albany, New York 12205-3809
518-464-4338
518-464-4337 FAX

Queens District Office
of the Manhattan Area Office
45-17 Marathon Parkway
Little Neck, NY 11362
Phone: 718-279-9060
FAX: 718-279-9057

Buffalo Area Office
U.S. Dept. of Labor/OSHA
130 S. Elmwood Avenue, Suite 500
Buffalo, NY 14202-2465
716-551-3053
716-551-3126 FAX

Long Island Area Office
1400 Old Country Road, Suite 208
Westbury, New York 11590
516-334-3344
516-334-3326 FAX

Manhattan Area Office
201 Varick Street RM. 908
New York, NY 10014
212-620-3200
212-620-4121 (FAX)

Syracuse Area Office
3300 Vickery Road
North Syracuse, New York 13212
315-451-0808
315-451-1351 FAX

Tarrytown Area Office
660 White Plains Road, 4th Floor
Tarrytown, New York 10591-5107
914-524-7510
914-524-7515 FAX

Syracuse Area Office
3300 Vickery Road
North Syracuse, New York 13212
315-451-0808
315-451-1351 FAX

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

New York's Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities handles complaints about care or treatment at a state operated/licensed facility or programs with disabilities. The Commission handles cases that can not be solved at the site of the problem.

New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
401 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305-2397
Phone: 800-624-4143
A complaint form can be obtained here.

New York State's Protective Services for Adults program, provided through local county departments of social services, has been created by law to aid in the protection of impaired adults over the age of 18 who may be falling victim to abuse. To report adult abuse, call (within New York State only): 800-342-3009 (Press Option 6) or contact the local county Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services: website

Department of Social Services
Protective Services for Adults
162 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: 518-447-7300

Protection and Advocacy

The New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities is the agency which coordinates the federal Protection & Advocacy and Client Assistance Programs. The Commission's mission includes improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in New York State, and beyond, and to protect their rights.

New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
401 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
518-388-2892 or
800-624-4143 (Toll Free)

The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council is responsible for developing new ways to improve the delivery of services and supports to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families. The Council focuses on community involvement, employment, recreation and housing issues faced by New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families.

New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
155 Washington Avenue, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12210
518-486-7505; 800-395-3372

The New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities offers the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities program (PADD). PADD serves persons who have a developmental disability who are at risk of having their rights violated.

NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
401 State Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
Phone: 212-417-3850
800-624-4143 (Voice/TTY/Spanish)
FAX: 212-417-3890