Self-Advocacy Association of New York State

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board and delegated staff members support self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages self-advocates to speak for themselves individually and collectively.

What We Do

• We help set up local Self-Advocacy chapters, re-energize existing groups, and share information on local and national Self-Advocacy issues.
• The voting members of our board of directors are self-advocates and are expected to represent self-advocates within their regions. Regional staff provide them any support necessary to do so.
• Members offer presentations which stress that no community is complete unless everyone is provided the opportunity to be involved. We speak to community groups, schools, faith organizations, and agency boards of directors.
• We provide training and support for Self-Direction. Discover a new way to create and support lives of choice.