Source: https://www.nyaprs.org/e-news-bulletins/2013/cuomo-administration-selects-dai-to-operate-state-protection-advocacy-program
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 20:46:49+00:00

Document:
NYAPRS Note: New York State has transferred oversight of the state’s protection and advocacy program for people with disabilities from the government body Commission on Quality Care for People with Disabilities to Disability Rights New York (DRNY), a new nonprofit created by Disability Advocates Inc. DAI’s application was backed by a broad array of advocacy groups, including NYAPRS, and has long been a champion for the rights of new Yorkers with disabilities.
We thank the Cuomo Administration for their wise selection of DAI and look forward to their strong leadership of the P&A program.
We also extend our appreciation to disability advocates like ADAPT for their extra efforts in this matter.
A public hearing on the proposed redesignation will be held on April 9, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., Empire State Plaza, Meeting Rooms 3 and 4, Albany, New York.
Federal law requires that a state or territory that establishes programs under the Developmental Disabilities Act (DD Act) must have in place a system to protect and advocate for the civil, human, and legal rights of people with disabilities, 42 U.S.C. § 15041 et. seq. (P&A). Similarly, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandates that a state must establish a client assistance program to assist individuals who apply for or receive vocational rehabilitation or independent living services under the act, 29 U.S.C. § 732 (CAP).
The designation may be removed (re-designated) only for good cause. Within 30 days after the redesignation becomes effective, the Governor must submit an assurance that the newly designated Protection and Advocacy agency meets the requirements of the statute and the regulations.
The Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (“CQCAPD”), a state agency established under Article 45 of the Mental Hygiene Law, is designated as both the protection and advocacy system and client assistance program. CQCAPD is located at 401 State Street, Schenectady, New York 12305.
As the P&A system, CQCAPD provides advocacy to residents of New York State who have a physical or mental condition that substantially limits at least one major life activity and who fall within the agency's priorities and case selection criteria as determined through the priority setting process each year. CQCAPD serves individuals with a wide range of disabilities – including, but not limited to, those with cognitive, mental, sensory, and physical disabilities – by protecting against abuse and neglect; advocating for civil rights; and ensuring accountability in access to and the delivery of services to persons with disabilities in health care, education, employment, housing and transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems. CQCAPD maintains a presence in facilities that provide care for and services to people with disabilities, where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions.
As the CAP, CQCAPD provides advocacy to people who are applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation services or services from an independent living center, as well as providing information on rights under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In addition to the Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) program and the CAP, CQCAPD operates federally-funded P&A programs under the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act, 42 U.S.C. §10801 (PAIMI); the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794e (PAIR); the Ticket to Work Act for beneficiaries of Social Security disability, 42 U.S.C. § 1320b-21 (PABSS); the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 29 U.S.C. § 3004 (PAAT); the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. § 15461 (PAVA); and the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008, 42 U.S.C. § 300d-53 (PATBI).
More detailed information can be found at http://cqc.ny.gov/advocacy/protection-advocacy-programs.
The Governor has determined that it is in the interest of New Yorkers with disabilities to redesignate the P&A and CAP. This designation is consistent with the provisions of the Protection of People with Special Needs Act (Ch. 501, 2012), which requires the Governor to designate an independent public or private agency to conduct and coordinate the P&A/CAP.
The Governor intends to designate a not-for-profit corporation, Disability Advocates, Inc. (DAI), as the P&A and CAP, effective June 1, 2013. DAI has been properly established as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of this state, has obtained the approval of the federal Internal Revenue Service to operate as a tax exempt charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is registered as a charitable corporation with the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York.
· is consistent with the provisions of the Protection of People with Special Needs Act.
DAI will do business as Disability Rights New York (DRNY) and will operate all of the P&A/CAP programs authorized under federal law. DRNY will continue to serve existing clients and cases of the current P&A system or refer them to other sources of legal advocacy as appropriate, without disruption.
The Governor has, simultaneously with this public notice, provided notice to CQCAPD as the existing P&A and CAP; the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council; and the State Independent Living Council. Interested persons may wish to write to CQCAPD to obtain a copy of its response to that notice. Such requests should be sent to the address above.

References: § 15041
 § 732
 §10801
 § 794
 § 1320
 § 3004
 § 15461
 § 300