Our history
The NYSDSC was established in June 2007 as a successor organization to the SUNY DSC (State University of New York Disability Services Council), which was formally established in September 1996. The NYSDSC provides a forum to discuss and find solutions to common problems in the delivery of disability services to postsecondary students. It serves as a vehicle for communicating disability service issues and concerns to campus administrators, state and federal agencies such as ACCES-VR, CBVH, the State Education Department, and SUNY Central Administration. It also serves as a resource to government/legislative bodies and/or other organizations. Our members work to establish a statewide baseline of services and assistive technology, explore current and emerging issues and trends, and foster professional growth among its members.
Recognizing that many issues deliberated by the NYSDSC are statewide issues while others may be specific to the type of institution a member is employed by, four Sector Councils have been established: CUNY, Independents, Proprietaries, and SUNY. Time will be built into each bi-annual meeting for Sector Councils to meet. Each provides one representative to the Executive Committee.
NYSDSC Timeline:
1980:
1980-SUNY Task Force: “Out of survival”, a handful of Disability coordinators from the central NY area decided to meet periodically during the 504 days in the ‘80s”
1990:
June 1, 1990- Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
President 1996-1997: Jean Fairbairn
1996
February 18, 1996- SUNY Task Force Created: First SUNY DSC Constitution created; First President –Jean Fairbairn. Established as a “SUNY” network, independent colleges were involved in networking and advocacy provided to the state.
1997
February 3, 1997- Bruce Pomeroy SUNY DSC member from Broome County College member, is elected as President of the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD).
President 1997-1998: Shelia Dai
President 1998-2000: Roger Purdy
President 2000-2001: Mary Brown-DePass
2000
March 2000- Task Force on Postsecondary Education and Disabilities prepared recommendations to NYSED in March 2000
July 7, 2000 – Data collection Higher Ed with Disabilities Students (HEDS) SUNY DSC pushed to establish a funding mechanism and formula based on numbers of students with disabilities who self-identified compared to FTE
President 2001-2002: Marianne Savino
2002
2002 – Randy Borst, SUNY DSC member, from University at Buffalo is elected as AHEAD President 2002-2003
President 2002-2003: Jean Fairbairn
2003
January 4, 2003 – Strong advocacy for passage of Chapter 219 Copyright Laws of 2003
President 2003-2004: Khaki Wunderlich
President 2004-2005: Carolyn Boone
President 2005-2006: David Symonds
President 2006-2007: Bruce Pomeroy
2007
June 2007 – New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC) formed. Adding Independent, CUNY, and Proprietary Colleges. First higher education organization that all sectors combined efforts. Roger Purdy was instrumental in assisting with this collaboration.
April 25, 2007 – NYSDSC receives 501(c)3 status
President 2007-2008: Tabitha Buggie-Hunt
President 2008-2009: Roger Purdy
President 2009-2010: Bruce Pomeroy
President 2010-2011: Jennifer Wrage
President 2011-2012: Paula Perez
President 2012-2013: Nancy Carr
President 2013-2014: Tamara Mariotti
2013
2013 – NYSDSC becomes an affiliate of AHEAD
President 2014-2015: Roxanne McCarty
2014
2014 –NYSDSC was involved in the establishment of the NYSED Advisory Council for Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education. Tamara Mariotti Co Chair with Regent Christine Cea
2014 – Interactive NYSDSC.org web site launches
President 2015-2016: Paula Perez
2015
2015 – ADA TAP revised to include access for students with disabilities
President 2016-2017: Sudi Shayesteh
2017
2017 – Readers Aid Law updated
President 2017-2018: Loren Norwak
President 2018-2019: Catherine Carlson
2019
February 11, 2019 – NYS Coalition of Students with Disabilities is formed and 1st Empowerment Day Rally in Albany, NY takes place
President 2019-2020: Catherine Carlson
2020
February 5th, 2020 – 2nd Student Empowerment Day takes place in Albany, NY.
President 2020-2021: Catherine Carlson
2021
February 25th, 2021 – 3rd Student Empowerment Day takes place virtually.
September 1st, 2021 - $2M is realized from NYS Combined Budget to be dedicated to SWDs in higher education via Enhancing Supports legislation
President 2021-2022: Donald Pool
2022
February 10th, 2022 – 4th Student Empowerment Day takes place virtually
September 1st, 2022 - $2M is again realized from NYS Combined Budget to be dedicated to SWDs in higher education
President 2022-2023: DeAnna Martocci
2023
February 8th, 2023 – 5th Student Empowerment Day takes place in Albany, NY.
September 1st, 2023 - $4M is realized from NYS Combined Budget to be dedicated to SWDs in higher education
President 2023-2024: Portia Altman
2024
President 2024-2025: Tanya Hoistion
2025
President 2025-2026: Christen Szymanski
2026
February 4, 2026- Student Empowerment Day takes place in Albany, NY