Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Council

The 2026 BKDDC Family Support Fair is right around the corner. We currently have over 70 agencies registered to table and are trying to finalize 1-2 potential breakout sessions (if possible) during the day.

Over 300 people are registered to attend the event. There will be light refreshments and a photo booth.

If you represent an agency looking to connect with the Brooklyn community, you have until this Friday afternoon to reserve your table at the event. After Friday, we will not be accepting any more table registrations.

Free registration for individuals, advocates, families, and professionals to attend the event and connect with resources from the I/DD field will remain open up until the day of the event, but please remember, if you plan on attending, you must register. Brooklyn College will have a guest list and be asking for names at the security desk of the Student Center.

CLICK HERE: https://forms.gle/SEp5y81NDY1tkmXD8

Thank you to this year's event sponsors:

NeuSpark PDS
Wellbound For Special Needs
ACANY
Strive High ABA
Personal Touch Home Care

This summer, OPWDD will be holding forums across New York State to share updates about our work and hear from you. This year is especially exciting as it will officially kick off our work on our next five-year OPWDD Strategic Plan.

The following in-person and virtual forums have been scheduled:

Manhattan: June 9, 1PM – 3PM
Westchester: June 22, 5PM – 7PM
Albany: July 7, 5PM – 7PM
Buffalo: July 15, 5:30 -7:30PM
Binghamton: July 16, 11 AM – 1PM
Virtual Forum Evening: July 9, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Virtual Forum Day: July 14, 11AM – 1PM

This year, forums will be more interactive and give you more opportunities to share your thoughts with OPWDD. At each forum, we’ll give you a chance to share your thoughts on:

Navigating the OPWDD system
What High Quality Services Mean to You
Planning for the future of OPWDD
You can come in-person or join us online. You can find event details and sign up on our website using the link below.

https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fopwdd.ny.gov%2Fnode%2F17116/1/0101019e4bfedd09-b76590eb-97e6-4087-8b5d-23ddab8c0279-000000/dw8OhZeNyo4iWe9Axlgo0RxMoFLzdmxXeelv1W0R1kU=452

You do not have to register to attend, but we encourage it. Registration helps us plan for the events and provide supports. If you need language services or other accommodations, please register and tell us what you need at least 2 weeks before the event.

These forums are one of many ways to get involved and are just the start of our work on the 2028-2032 OPWDD Strategic Plan. We will have more opportunities to share feedback as we work together on our plan for the future.

We want you to be part of the conversation. We are working together to build a shared vision for the future of OPWDD and the people we support. The best ideas come from people, families, providers, and staff. Your experiences, ideas, and voices matter.
We hope you will join us.

Strategic Planning OPWDD Wants to Hear From You! Join OPWDD in-person or online at a Future Planning Forum to share your ideas for the future. Click the links below to register.

Due to expected high temperatures and heat indices, NYC cooling centers will be open tomorrow, 5/19 and Wednesday, 5/20. Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, or senior centers, that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find your nearest cooling center, call 311 or visit https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/.

Join us today at 10am for our May monthly meeting. Updates from the BKDDC, OPWDD, IAC and an Early Intervention presentation by NYC DOHMH.

Registration is also still open for our upcoming Family Support Fair on June 18th at Brooklyn College. Tabling opportunities as well as general attendance can register with the same link.

Join the BKDDC's Meaningful Day Committee for our next meeting on May 19th at 4:30PM via Zoom to learn about Summer Fun Events & Resources around Brooklyn. Hosted by co-chairs Pilar Jones - NeuSpark PDS, Gillian LeBron - Goodwill, Trudy Pines - AHRC, and Jajaida Gonzalez - SUS.

Join us on May 14th, 2026 at 10am via Zoom for our next BKDDC Legislative Committee Meeting co-hosted by Maria Willis of CP Unlimited and Lucina Clarke of My Time Inc.