Family Advocacy
Your voice is essential to help representatives and legislators truly understand the essential services Arc of Onondaga provides. We believe that the more voices we have in our fight, the better our chances of making strides on behalf of a loved one and thousands of others with disabilities.
Family Advocacy
Family Advocacy
NYS Budget Update and Call to Action
The Senate and Assembly proposed a 4% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) in their one-house budget resolutions, a significantly larger investment than the 1.7% proposed in the Executive Budget. This is great news and we need to keep up the pressure!
It’s important for us to keep our budget asks top-of-mind as negotiations continue!
Our message to the Governor and Legislature is to include the full 4% TII in the Enacted Budget, with no less than 2.7% available for providers to invest in the full spectrum of care costs. A 4% increase will cover inflation over the past year AND continue the progress New York has made to strengthen our system of care. Check out our updated info sheet to learn more.
There has never been a more critical time to keep the pressure up and have our voices heard! Please take a moment to send a letter to the governor and the legislature asking for inclusion of the 4% TII!
TAKE ACTION NOW BY CLICKING HERE
.Ellen Gutmaker, CEO of Arc of Onondaga, and Paul Joslyn, CEO of AccessCNY and a board member of New York Disability Advocates (NYDA), provided a poignant op-ed focused on the need to support our workforce and providers through the 4% TII. In the article, they clearly relayed the realities faced by frontline staff every day and stressed their role as essential to the lives of people with disabilities. You can read their message on syracuse.com, or view the PDF here
If your family is interested in getting involved, please contact Joanna Jewett, Chief Communications Officer at [email protected] or 315-401-0917.
Self-Advocates
Self-Advocates
The Arc Achievers is the name of our chapter’s self-advocacy group, and the name certainly fits! The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 10:30 am. During the meetings (which are currently being held both in-person and virtually) members discuss topics that are important to them, including how to advocate for themselves and others. In March 2026, they launched their “Dream Big! Aim High!” campaign with the goal of encouraging people of all abilities to have the confidence to make their dreams come true. Watch their video, here!
For more information about joining the Arc Achievers, please contact Elizabeth Herbst at [email protected]
SANYS
We work closely with SANYS, the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc., is an organization founded, and led, by people with developmental disabilities for people with developmental disabilities. They promote the awareness and recognition of the civil rights and responsibilities which include the opportunities and choices of equal citizenship.
Central/Northern Office
1005 W. Fayette Street Suite 1A, Syracuse, NY 13204
Office: 315-473-6927