Marco Damiani, Chair, Manhattan DD Council
WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (DD) INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO) INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES (ID), AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, EPILEPSY, AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS THAT MANIFEST THEMSELVES BEFORE AGE 22.
WHO ARE WE?
We are an official advisory body to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, to the New York State Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and the Manhattan Developmental Disabilities Services Office .
The Council has played an important role in the dramatic increase of services for the past 30 years. These services include:
*Family support services, including respite, recreation, parent training, crisis intervention, reimbursement and advocacy.
*Residences in the community
*Adult Day Services
*Specialized health care and diagnostic services
*Early Intervention and Education
WHAT DO WE DO?
We meet monthly to assess and identify needs of the Manhattan Community. We address all areas of concern in relation to existing services and needed services for people with ID / DD and their families.
We advise the City and State about present priorities and gaps in services, and we plan for future needs.
We recommend which proposals for new or continuing services should be adopted by New York State funding sources.
We educate families about the services available to people with ID/DD through an annual Family Support Fair about the services.
We advocate for the creation or expansion of needed services through an annual Legislative Breakfast and visits to elected officials.
We promote community acceptance of people with ID / DD.
We provide a forum for people with disabilities and service providers to share concerns and information.
We publish a Manhattan Directory of Family Support Services.
To receive a free copy: contact Janet Davis: 212-229-3112 or Click the Directories page to view.
We publish a Manhattan Directory of Adult Day Services.
To receive a free copy, call 212-780-2724 or Click the Directories page to view.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Join us for monthly meetings and/or participate in any of the following committees:
Visit the Committee Page for more information or go directly to the sub-committee page
Family Support Services Committee
Manhattan Family Support Services Advisory Council
Transition Committee
Legislative Committee
Children’s Committee
AD HOC Committees ( committees meet as necessary)
Marco Damiani, Chair, Senior Director Clinical and Family Services, YAI Network, 212-273-6188, marco.damiani@yai.org
Judith DeIasi, Vice Chair, Associate Executive Director, AHRC New York City 212-780-2667, judith.deiasi@ahrcnyc.org
Susan Williams, Vice Chair, Founder, Manhattan Mothers & Others; Parent, 212-570-6860, manhattanmothers@aol.com
Elly Rufer, Secretary, Parent, 212-477-1225, misselly201@yahoo.com