The Commission's Speakers Bureau participants are all seasoned public presenters who are well-known to the provider community from their appearances at conferences and workshops. The accompanying box lists an array of possible topic areas. However, presentations can be tailored to individual audience need. Forums can range from 90 minutes to two days and sites may be regional or more centralized. Individuals below the age of 18 are still considered minors and under the decision-making capacity of their parents unless emancipated.
Procedures are available to review questions regarding protection from mistreatment.
This topic concentrates on New York State Laws which establish rights for persons with developmental disabilities and how public policy either incorporates those rights or makes changes to accommodate them. The Commission investigator will discuss the appropriate ways to conduct an investigation, including information gleaned from Commission institutional abuse cases which are reported to the Child Abuse Registry. Similar to the presentation on child abuse investigation, the presenter will discuss proper abuse investigation techniques in addition to various Commission findings. Ways to determine capacity to give consent utilizing the clinical team is the main focus of the presentation. Also, there is a discussion regarding the criminal issues which arise when one person is unable to give consent.