NEW YORK STATEWIDE SYSTEMS ADVOCACY NETWORK
Background
The New York Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN) is a project that was originally prioritized in the New York Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) for 2002-2004. Please see text from the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, below in italics. It is highlighted to emphasize systems advocacy themes consistent with the SSAN.
Chapter 1, Title VII, Section 701: Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to promote a philosophy of Independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society, by:
1) Providing financial assistance to States for providing, expanding, and improving the provision of independent living services; and
2) Providing financial assistance to develop and support statewide networks of centers for independent living.
View a PDF file of the SSAN 2009 Annual Report
State-wide network (SSAN) made up of hundreds of individuals across New York State all working together to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The SSAN, as it’s called, employs a variety of strategies and methods designed to achieve a barrier free, fully inclusive society for everyone, including individuals with disabilities.
The SSAN is a group of volunteers who stand “at the ready” whenever their help is needed. Usually assistance is requested to support or oppose a piece of legislation or a legislative issue that will impact the lives of individuals with disabilities. When this happens, the network is asked to respond in one or more of a variety of ways such as:
- Contact legislators by phone, fax and/or email
- Write a letter to the editor in support of or opposition to a legislative issue
- Provide oral and/or written testimony on a given topic
- Participate in voter registration drives, voter pledge drives and/or get out the vote campaigns
Resources
Click here to contact your local state and local government
New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL)
Click here to read about information to include when writing to your congressman
Center for Disability Rights “CDR partners with disability rights activists across the city, state and country in order to foster the independence, integration and civil rights of people with disabilities.”
Click here to receive weekly action alerts on your legislators votes
Read the article “From Injury to Employment” written by Keith Gurgui
Visit Keith’s advocacy website/blog which incorporates many of the aspects of RCAL, NYAIL, associated links and articles, as well as advocacy in spinal cord injury. Click here to view the website.
For more information regarding the advocacy network, please contact Keith Gurgui, Systems Advocate, at 845-256-8928 or email Keith.
