June 2025 Updates

The Executive Board, after careful consideration of the current committees, has made the changes. These changes were discussed in a statewide meeting held on May 20, 2025. 

From the President’s desk:

As we move forward with the advancement of our organization, the executive committee would like to share with you changes to our vision, mission, and organization.

Vision:

To be recognized as a leading authority in disability services within higher education in New York State and drive meaningful change that enhances equitable access and opportunities for students with disabilities.

Mission:

NYSDSC champions the rights of students with disabilities in higher education by advocating for systemic change, promoting equitable access, and fostering inclusive campus environments. We empower disability professionals to be agents of change through education, collaboration, leadership and advocacy.

1. Current Strategic plan (through 2027):
2. Access and Technology
3. Professional development
4. Institutional Collaboration and Responsibility
5. Leadership and Governance
6. Diversity and advocacy

Committees (5)

Executive Nominations & Awards Website (includes access tech) Conference planning and professional development Government relations

The current committee structure is anyone who wants to be on them except for the executive board.

Suggested committee/workgroup structure (excludes Executive Board):

1 SUNY state ops

1 SUNY community colleges

2 CUNY

2 Independent/Proprietary

Charges for each committee (excluding Executive):

Nominations and Awards Committee:

• Will identify candidates for the Executive Committee positions of President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership & Marketing, and the AHEAD affiliate.
• The committee will conduct fair and accurate elections.
• They will accept applications for the following awards to recognize outstanding contributors to the field of disability services.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration Award
• Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award
• Diversity and Inclusion Award.
• New Professional Award

Website and Access technology:

• Increase the website’s visibility and usability.
• Ensure that the NYSDSC website meets current accessibility standards
• Facilitate ease of access through clear and concise steps.
• Attract and retain members by offering cutting-edge resources relevant to all areas of service delivery.
• Provide guidelines and points of reference for different levels of disability service professionals.
• Increase awareness of access technologies that are beneficial to students with disabilities.

Conference Planning and Professional Development:

• Develop, coordinate, and implement bi-annual conferences and other opportunities to provide vehicles for professional development of our members and inter/intra institutional collaboration.
• Coordinate and plan activities and events that align with NYSDSC’s Strategic Plan and support its members.

Government Relations:

• To strengthen the connections between:
• K-12 and post-secondary education
• NYS School Counseling Association
• Statewide Parent groups
• Work with government agencies such as ACCES-VR, NYSCB, DPAO on transition work and expand communication amongst the organizations.
• Work with government constituents, CUNY, SUNY, independent institutions and other state organizations to promote and organize Student Empowerment Day.
• Maintain up-to-date documents on NYS and federal laws in regards to students with disabilities.

Interest Form

To ensure that we include all members who may or may not be attending the June 2025 NYSDSC conference, the e-board invites you to complete the “Workgroup Interest form”.  The board would appreciate it if you would complete this form to either nominate yourself or another member (with their consent). This form is available till June 27th, 2025, 5pm.

You may also access the form using the QR code below:

Thank you!