We Need YOU! Provide Email Campaigns on your campus to Legislators using this updated 10 Minute Activist template! [word]
VIDEO shown at Student Empowerment Day [YouTube] (THANK YOU to The Viscardi Center; and all the students that contributed.)
SECTION I. Details - 2025 Student Empowerment Day will be VIRTUAL!
Support legislative funding for students with disabilities enrolled in colleges and universities across New York state:
- Date of Event: Friday, February 7, 2025
- Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Location: Zoom Connection (coming soon) Please sign up for the Zoom Link!!
- Audience: Calling all Students, Allies, Faculty, Supporters WELCOME!!
- Sign up for zoom link and informational webinars
- QR code for registration for Student Empowerment Day 2025 is:
Section II. What is the Ask?
We continue to work together for college students with disabilities to receive adequate services and equity in the college setting and request:
- $13 million in state funding to support Enhancing Supports and Services for Postsecondary Success of Students with Disabilities. Students and advocates have been calling for a full investment up to $15 million in the capacities of higher education institutions to support the access and inclusion of New Yorkers with disabilities in higher education since 2018, and it has been a NYS Regents Priority for seven consecutive years.
- The passage of S3369 (Senate) and A05774 (Assembly) which would expand NYS financial aid options for college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and make aid sources such as TAP accessible for these students.
Section III. Background information
- 11/21/2024 Webinar Recording: Panel Discussion about what you need to know.
- 2025-2026, is the 5th year of funding. Only 2M is supported annually in the governor's budget. Last year there was 4M for a total of $38.38 per student for students with disabilities in higher education for all of the sectors (CUNY, SUNY, Independent, and Proprietary Colleges).
- The funding is decreasing as the numbers of students with disabilities increase. This impacts the workloads that have evolved and intensifies the process for implementing accommodations. The number of students with disabilities is currently is at 104,226 for the fiscal year of 2026. If funding provided is 2 Million dollars only $19.19 per student is available.
- This funding is greatly appreciated, but this limited funding per student supports minimal progress for programs and supports.
Section IV. Toolkit
- Draft Agenda [working on it]
- Scheduling Advocacy Meetings with Legislators
- What to Expect -Info Session on 1/31/25 from 12-1pm, sign up for the zoom link
- Reasons to Attend [Word Doc]
- NYSDSC Zoom Background [Image1.png] [Image2.png]
- Email Campaign to Legislators [word]
- Social Media Tools [PDF Accessible Flyer] [Flyer as jpeg]
- [PDF Accessible Flyer 2] [Flyer 2 as jpeg] [Alt text for Flyer 2]
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Alt Text: Virtual Student Empowerment Day 2025 February 7, 2025, at 11-1 p.m. Need students with disabilities and Allies in Higher Education! Hosted by New York State Disability Services Council. Info and sign up for Zoom link at https://lnkd.in/e3ztJaq8
Section V. Contacts
NYSDSC: Registration@nysdsc.org
STUDENT CONTACTS: for student to student support
- SUNY Disability Ambassador Leader: Alexander Jackson alexander.jackson02@cortland.edu
- CUNY/CCSD Student Leader: Lennyn Jacobs LJacob@hostos.cuny.edu ; Leonard Blades leonardccsd@gmail.com; Arturo Soto arturoccsd@gmail.com;Luis(Junior) Alvarez luisalvarezccsd@gmail.com
- Independent Student Leader: Annaliese Simons (they/them), as0468@bard.edu