Seeing beyond disability

YAI supports people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the fullest life possible by creating new opportunities for living, loving, working, and learning. YAI is a network of agencies with programs that empower and enhance the lives of thousands of people we support and their families.

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Services

Browse all YAI Services

CSIDD (formerly NYSTART)

Crisis Prevention and Response Providing crisis prevention and response for people (ages 6 and above) with intellectual/developmental disabilities who present with complex behavioral and mental...
Residential Services

Residential services are provided in NYC, Long Island, Weschester county, Rockland county and some parts of New Jersey. Options include 24 hour supervised residences and less than 24 hour supportive...
Neurology

Neurology focuses on the treatment of diseases affecting the nervous and neuromuscular systems, including the brain and spinal cord.
Primary Care

Primary care providers focus on Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Pediatrics.
Family Reimbursement

Funds can be provided to families for services and goods that are not reimbursed through existing programs or funding streams.
Psychosocial Evaluation

YAI's psychosocial evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of a person's history from birth until the present time. The assessment information is gathered from the parent/guardian and previous...
Community Habilitation - NYC

Trained specialists provide individualized skills training in the home and the community. Focus is on a person's strengths and critical skills for development, including building skills and...
Endocrinology and Dermatology

Endocrinology focuses on diagnosing and treating disorders of the endocrine glands and hormones, including: Hypertension, Diabetes complications and management, Thyroid disorders, and more.

News & Stories

YAI Staff Help Residents Develop Voting Plans

As the election season draws to an end, months of debates, lawn signs, and TV ads have given way to “I Voted” stickers. The 2020 election is taking place in the middle of a pandemic, which has claimed more than 200,000 lives in the U.S. alone. People of all walks of life have been affected, but vulnerable groups have borne the brunt of the casualties.

YAI Center for Specialty Therapy Adopts Novel Strategies During COVID

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York in March, most in-person services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) disappeared overnight. This put many people at risk for losing years of hard-won progress in education, socialization, and crucial life skills.

YAI Arts Sets Participants Up to Thrive in Pandemic

Creativity. Independence. Talent. These are the qualities that unite the artists in YAI Arts. Pre-pandemic, the group would have regular studio hours with YAI’s artist mentors. Over the past eight months, the group has hosted remote sessions and the artists have flourished.

Upcoming Trainings

Visual Supports for Behaviors and Skills Building

Visual Supports for Behaviors and Skills Building Caroline Dunn, LMSW, Coordinator and Emily Gabel, LMSW, Supervisor, YAI LINK

Navigating the System for People with Developmental Disabilities

Learn about eligibility & access to services through NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) Workshops are open to all

Talleres Educativos Gratuitos: Planeando para el futuro y tutela legal

Planeando para el futuro y tutela legal Paola Martinez-Boone, MSW, Senior Advocate, NY Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)

COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Database

A searchable and growing database of resources around COVID-19, people with I/DD, caregivers, and staff.

Caregiver Tips

Navigating how to explain COVID-19 to someone with I/DD and the swift changes to everyday life can be overwhelming. At YAI, we believe that the people with I/DD should be treated with dignity, respect, and honesty. We recommend that caregivers take a calm and matter-of-fact approach to explain what COVID-19 is and how to prevent it.

Using Social Stories to Support People with I/DD During the COVID-19 Emergency

Social stories can be used with adults and children; they are a tool to help provide directions and examples of appropriate ways to respond to social situations. Learn more about them here and access social stories we have gathered about COVID-19 and working to try to stay healthy.