For Many, Employment Means a Richer Life
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Regional Disability Health Clinics Coming
Improving Access in 'Health Care Deserts'
No one should have to suffer the indignity of an office visit without the proper medical equipment or the frustration of not being able to find healthcare in their community. Yet when it comes to accessible settings and availability of medical professionals trained to treat the physical health needs of people with developmental disabilities, options are lacking.
Thanks to the $25 million in capital project grants Governor Hochul announced for the developmental of Regional Disability Health Clinics, OPWDD is now accepting innovative proposals that will increase access to the healthcare people need and deserve. Read the Governor's Announcement
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New Disabilities Task Force on Aging
 Commissioner Baer talked with Susan Arbetter of Capitol Tonight about OPWDD’s new Developmental Disabilities Taskforce on Aging, which is a collaborative initiative between OPWDD and the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC). The Task Force, which will address the evolving needs of New Yorkers with developmental disabilities as they age, held its first meeting. Listen here
Everyone Deserves a Richer Life!
 This year Fairgoers visiting the OPWDD booth at the Great New York State Fair had the chance to answer the question What Makes a Life Richer?”
Helping people live richer lives is a message we take to heart at OPWDD because it is truly at the forefront of everything we do. Living a rich life means something different to everyone, and that’s why living up to our mission means being person-centered and listening to people when they tell us what they want in life for themselves.
We were amazed by the variety of answers we received and how much people enjoyed the activity. Thanks to everyone who visited and helped us drive home the point that while we all may be different, we all deserve to live a richer life, whatever that means to us.
At the OPWDD Booth at the New York State Fair...
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A visitor to the Fair answered our question "What Makes a Life Richer?"
Her answer: "family and love and happy laughs."
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An OPWDD Volunteer is shown making a chain at the Fair out the many messages people visiting the booth created.
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The Final Product...
 The hundreds - if not thousands - of chains filled out by Fairgoers were displayed in the fourth-floor lobby of OPWDD's Central Office in Albany giving staff a clear visual reminder of the agency's mission: "We help people with developmental disabilities live richer lives."
Buffalo Bills Tackle Accessibility
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The Buffalo Bills are tackling accessibility at the New Highmark Stadium and they are telling Chester and BJ all about their plans. Be sure to follow OPWDD on social media to be among the first to know when new episodes are added.
LISTEN HERE.
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Voting Is Everyone's Right
 We want to make sure that every New Yorker with developmental disabilities has the support and resources they need to make their voice heard at the ballot box. Make sure you know your rights and have a plan to vote. Visit our Know Your Rights page for more information. Also check out the SANYS My Plan to Vote worksheet. And, if you or someone you know with a developmental disability needs help to vote, talk with your Care Manager or support staff. They are ready to help you exercise your right to vote.
Dates to Remember
Election Day is November 4, 2025
Accessible voting equipment is available at all polling places.
The deadline for registering to vote is October 25, 2025.
Voting Resources
- Register to Vote, Find Early Voting Information, Absentee Ballot Information and Identify Your Polling Place at your County Board of Elections
Recognizing Direct Support Professionals
Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
 September 7-13 marked National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, a special week set aside to honor and celebrate the professionals who work in the direct support field and provide the supports and services so many people with developmental disabilities rely on.
OPWDD recently inducted 26 state-employed direct support professionals into its Direct Support Hall of Fame. Many were able to join us at a special celebration at the Albany Capital Center, where Commissioner Willow Baer presented each employee with a congratulatory certificate and a recognition pin. Thanks to all these dedicated professionals who received this award.
Thank you also to all the direct support professionals reading this. Whether you work for OPWDD or a nonprofit service provider, you are the reason people with developmental disabilities have the support they need to achieve the goals that matter to them.
Being a Direct Support Professional is #MoreThanWork
We know it and you know it and with the help of the #MoreThanWork campaign, now in year two, more members of the general public and jobseekers know it too.
One of the biggest challenges OPWDD and our nonprofit provider partners continue to face is adequate staffing. The #MoreThanWork campaign is making a dent in those openings by helping us reach new audiences that might not know about the rewards of work in direct care. By driving people to directsupportcareers.com, more people are connecting with OPWDD's nonprofit partners and learning more about this field.
To date, more than 1.5 million jobseekers have clicked through to the website and of those, more than 85,000 have taken the next step to visit one of the 240 participating service providers seeking more information about job opportunities.
We continue to be excited about this campaign that is helping OPWDD and its partners recruit the caring new staff we need to fulfill our mission now and in the future.
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