On Tuesday, October 28th, Alliance for Empowerment's Network Member's Able2 and Capabilities, Inc., in partnership with The Arc Chemung-Schuyler, The Arc Alleghany-Steuben, and Pathways, Inc., held a Legislative Brunch at the Radisson Hotel in Corning, NY.

The brunch hosted nearly 100 family members, individuals supported, staff, and community partners, who gathered to advocate for the IDD community.

The focus of the brunch was to emphasize current advocacy priorities and engage local legislative representatives who were invited and in attendance to engage in the conversation around these priorities.

These priorities include:

(1) A 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) to ensure funding accounts for the increased cost of living and providing services.

(2) The Careforce Affordability Initiative to support affordable housing, childcare and healthcare for direct care staff.

(3) Infrastructure Investments to ensure funding accounts for the increased cost of living and providing services to maintain facilities, meet state climate goals, and support innovative services.

In attendance from the NY State Legislature were: New York State Senator Tom O'Mara, Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey, Alison Hunt from Senator George Borrello's office, Sharon Murphy from Congressman Nick Langworthy's office, and both Rose Olsen and Frank Puglisi, regional reps from Governor Kathy Hochul's office. We want to thank everyone who took the time to attend.

We would also like to extend a giant thank you to The Arc Chemung-Schuyler for organizing and hosting the Legislative Brunch. If it were not for their efforts and coordination, we would not have had the platform that Tuesday morning to have people speak from various life experiences, all with the same purpose and advocacy goals in mind.

Our CEO, William Wasserman was included in the opening remarks and highlighted the importance in the conversation around our priorities as well as the role the Direct Support Professionals within our networks. Their compassion, dedication, and strength power progress in our communities.

Board Member, John Kohena, spoke on behalf of Able2, the IDD community and his family, sharing his personal story. Able2 had the privilege of previously serving both of John's sisters. Many heard John speak at this year's annual Able2 summer fundraiser: Brushstrokes in Blue, at the Elmira Country Club. His speech, (while it was a requirement to be condensed), was just as moving at the October Brunch.

Brian Qualey, also a Board Member, spoke on behalf of Capabilities, Inc., as well as the IDD Community, and shared his personal story - his family's life experience with his son. Brian spoke with no written notes, just from the heart. It was clear how well he captured the attention of representatives, agency staff members, DSP workers and other family caregivers in the room.

Additional family members spoke, advocating for their family members, and did so with grace, strength, passion and care. They asked questions of the legislative representatives with respect and encouraged everyone in attendance to continue with their advocacy, including support for adequate funding and investing in our Direct Support Professionals.

We would also like to say a special thank you to Scott Brubaker from WENY TV News for joining us, supporting our advocacy efforts and once again covering news within the IDD Community right here in our region.

After the brunch the The Arc Chemung-Schuyler noted on their Facebook Page how it is imperative that we continue our advocacy. Please use their link below to take action and tell our Governor to Invest in New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

https://arcny.quorum.us/campaign/FY27-NYS-Budget/