Advocacy plays a critical role in creating public awareness of the need to provide quality services to people with developmental disabilities as well as appropriate compensation to the people who serve them. Over the years, YAI/NIPD has received numerous national awards and wide-spread recognition for the excellence of our programs and services.

YAI/NIPD has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 Advocacy Award from the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR).

The award recognizes our outstanding efforts to reach out to Congressional representatives and ask them to support HR 868 – the Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act of 2009- which proposes increasing wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) across the nation. Staff from across our Network phoned and e-mailed their representatives to convey the importance of DSPs in the lives of people with developmental and learning disabilities.

“It felt great to have my voice heard,” said Diane Keary, a Habilitation Specialist at YAI/NIPD’S Tarrytown Day Services program, “I wanted them to know the importance of our work.” Both Tarrytown Day Services and the Pleasantville Residence received special advocacy awards for their outstanding participation in this effort.

The YAI Network takes pride in its agencies’ leadership. Our organization continues to advocate for people with disabilities as well as staff. This incredible accomplishment is the result of collaborations throughout our programs and support departments. 

Find out how you can advocate for the YAI Network!