Who Are We?

Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. is part of a statewide network of regional protection and advocacy (P&A) offices authorized by the state's designated Protection and Advocacy agency, the New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (CQCAPD).

The Developmentally Disabled Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 is a federal statute requiring states to establish a protection and advocacy (P&A) system for persons with developmental disabilities to provide legal, administrative and other appropriate solutions when the legal issue is related to the disability.

Who do we serve?

We serve people who are have a developmental disability, as defined by federal legislation. According to this legislation a developmental disability means: A severe, chronic disability of a person which:

• Is due to a mental or physical impairment or combination of both
• Begins before the person reaches age twenty-two
• Is likely to continue indefinitely
• Results in substantial limitations in three or more of the following vital activities:
  • Self-care
  • Speaking and understanding
  • Learning
  • Mobility
  • Self-direction
  • Capacity for independent living
  • Economic self-sufficiency
• Reflects the person's need for a combination of special care, treatment, or other services which are individually planned and coordinated.

Commonly, individuals with mental retardation, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and neurological impairments are considered to have a developmental disability.

What services can we provide?

Individual Assistance and Representation

• Investigate and negotiate solutions to problems brought by persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
• Give legal advice and go to court, if necessary, on behalf of clients.

Information and Referral

• Provide clients and their families or guardians with information on their rights and how to protect them.
• Refer other individuals, who are not eligible, to federal, state or local agencies who can give them the help they need.

Legal Advocacy

• Help citizen advocates of persons with developmental disabilities in resolving difficulties with agencies providing services.
• Give technical assistance to lawyers to make them more effective in representing their clients who have a developmental disability.

Advocacy Training and Networking

• Organize individual and group training programs upon request.
• Develop training materials.
• Participate in local and statewide coalitions of concerned organizations.

State Legislation

• Study policies and practices which influence the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.
• Review specific legislation affecting them and offering comment on such policies.