16th Annual Conference
Thursday - Saturday,
September 7- 9, 2006
The Self-Advocacy Association
of New York State
Celebrating Our Past, Creating Our Future
What's Inside
Conference Agenda Page 2
Workshops Page 3
Registration Info Page 4
Scholarship/
Financial Aid Info Page 4
Focus Groups
& Entertainment Page 4
Registration Options Page 5
Registration Form Page 6
Awards Nomination
Form Page 7
Thursday - Saturday,
September 7-9, 2006
Albany Marriot Hotel
189 Wolf Road,
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 458-8444
The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State
invites you to participate in our16th Annual Conference -
our 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Our keynote event for Thursday night will drum
up nostolgia for long-time supporters and give
newcomers a glimpse into how we've come so far.
And, since it was such a hit last year,
join us again on Friday afternoon where
Commissioner Thomas Maul will answer
another round of questions from some
'celebrity' self-advocate leaders!
Keynote Highlights
Register by August 1
Registration Form Enclosed!
500 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304
u(518) 382-1454 uFax: 518-382-1594
uEmail: sanys@sanys.org uwww.sanys.org
Want to help self-advocates attend
the conference? See the back page
for info on contributing to our
Conference Souvenir Journal...
This year, we have changed registration
to encourage people to attend the entire
conference to get the complete experience.
You'll be moved by Thursday night's inspiring
keynote event, and get ready for Flame
right after! Friday is a full day of learning,
networking, and celebrating
our achievements.
Check out our website for
updates!
Award Nominations
Let us know which selfadvocate,
group, advisor,
or organization you think is the
most deserving of an award.
Please take some time to fillout
and send in the awards
nomination form on page 5. Call
us at (518) 382-1454 if you need
extra copies.
Open Mike
Thursday , September 7,
2:00-4:00 pm
Help us kick this year's conference
off to a great start! Come and
share your stories. Tell everyone
how you've gotten the life you
want.
Get Your Souvenirs
Here!
Don't forget to bring
extra spending money so you
can purchase your conference
souvenirs!
Regional Meetings
During your regional
meeting you'll get to
network with other people active
in self-advocacy, and talk about
what's happening in your area and
how you might be able to work
together in new ways.
Banquet & Awards
Ceremony
Friday, September 8,
6:00-9:00pm
Come and celebrate as we honor
outstanding self-advocates,
advisors, and agencies.
Entertainment
Thursday: the band
'Flame,' - a huge hit at
last year's conference - is
back by popular demand and will
play after the banquet.
Friday: Dance! Dance! Dance!
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Thursday, September 7
Registration 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Open Mike 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
& Other Activities
Dinner & Awards 6:00 pm
Keynote Presentation 7:30 pm
Music & Dancing 8:30 pm - Midnight
FLAME!
Friday, September 8
Registration 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Breakfast 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Focus Groups 9:30 am - 11:15 am
Lunch & 11:45am -1:45 pm
Keynote Presentation
Workshop Session 1 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Workshop Session 2 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Banquet 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Awards Ceremony 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Music & Dancing 9:00 pm - Midnight
With a DJ
Saturday, September 9
Breakfast 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Regional Meetings 9:30 am - Noon
Times subject to change
2
Calling All (Old) Groups!
Are you part of a self-advocacy group? If
your group has been together ten years
or more, we want to hear about it for a
possible presentation. Thanks!
Prepare to focus!
The focus groups have become a Friday
morning tradition at the SA conference.
Their purpose is to give all conference
attendees an opportunity to speak up
and learn from each other. Each group
comprises 25-30 people and one or two
facilitators lead the discussion.
Several other topics may be added by the
time of the conference,
but here's what's planned so far:
Your satisfaction with the supports you
receive. Give feedback to help make
things better for future generations
of self-advocates.
Your interest in making changes
to where you live and work.
Sick of your surroundings?
Maybe it's time for a change!
How to advocate with the
leaders of organizations that provide
support services. Make decisions about
services that affect your life
to support your cause.
How to create your own
individualized supports. There are
a lot of dedicated folks who
want you to know that
you have choices!
Our focus this year continues to be
"back to basics."
The Self-Advocacy board is looking at
ways to strengthen our grassroots by
reaching-out to self-advocates, groups
and regions alike. Many of the conference
workshops will reflect this emphasis.
Others will include basic presentations about the nature
of self-advocacy and SA's activities. All will be led by selfadvocates.
Here's a partial list of workshops under consideration.
If you would like to be part of a panel for any of these
presentations, please give us a call at 518-382-1454.
u Self-advocacy 101-speaking up for yourself
u How to start and lead a self-advocacy group
u The role of the advisor
u Getting connected in your community
u Person-centered planning and individualized services
u Voting and voting machines
u Sexuality and consent
u Nutrition and healthy lifestyles
u Direct support professionals
u Hot topics in SA
u How to audition
u SA Speakers Bureau
u Know your rights!
u SA's Real Choice project
u Self-determination 101
u Developing leadership skills
u Employment opportunities
WORKSHOPS
3
Please note that we are currently in
the process of deciding which of these
possible workshops and focus groups
will be held at the conference.
Check back for final announcements of
workshops and focus groups on our in our
July newsletter and at www.sanys.org
Help self-advocates attend the
conference: place an ad in the
SOUVENIR JOURNAL!
For information on ad sizes and rates,
visit www.sanys.org or contact
Fran Page at 518-382-1454
SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDS FOR
SUPPORT STAFF
This year we will
again have funds
available for
$50 scholarships
which can be
applied to the
registration.
If you are interested in obtaining a
scholarship, please contact your regional
office by calling one of the numbers listed
below:
New York City (212) 627-2104
Long Island (631) 493-3222
Hudson Valley (914) 493-8667
Capital District (518) 382-1454
Central (315) 473-6927
Western Rochester (585) 738-4687
Western Buffalo (716) 674-6300 x3170
We will also again use the money
raised through the souvenir journal to
provide a limited amount of funding
to help support staff to attend. This
funding will be available to those who
live on their own and who have limited
support from organizations.
Funds for support staff will be available
on a first-come, first-served basis, so
please do not delay!
For more information please call the SA
office at 518-382-1454.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
This year we have changed our registration options
to encourage people to come for the entire event.
Registration will be accepted on a 'first-come-firstserved'
basis - so hurry and get your form in! Your
completed registration form and payment are due by
August 1, 2006. Don't be late!
Hotel Accommodations
You will make your own arrangements
for reservations and payment of your
hotel room directly with the hotel.
Conference rates are as follows:
$129 per room, per night. Up to four
guests can share a room and the costs.
If you would like a cot in the room there will be an
additional charge of $20 per cot, per night.
In order to receive these special room rates
be sure to tell the Marriott that you are
attending the self-advocacy conference.
These rates do not include tax. If you are
sponsored by an agency, be sure the Marriott has a tax
exempt form from your organization.
Marriott Hotel (518) 458-8444
Other hotels:
Best Western, Wolf Road (518) 458-1000
Holiday Inn, Wolf Road (518) 458-7264
Hampton Inn, Wolf Road (518) 438-2822
Holiday Inn, Western Avenue (518) 438-0001
Acccessible Rooms
Accessible rooms are very limited. The
Marriot has only 19 fully-accessible
rooms. It also has 20 other rooms with
grab bars.
SA has reserved a block of accessible
rooms and we will distribute them
based on need, as we did at last year's conference. We
found this to be a fair way of ensuring that everyone
receive appropriate facilities. If you need an accessible
room, reserve your room at the Marriott. Then call
SA directly at (518) 382-1454 and tell us your specific
accessibility needs. This will help ensure that everyone
gets what they request!
Don't forget!
SPACE IS LIMITED
REGISTER NOW!
4
CONFERENCE HOTLIINE
If you have questions
or need help, call us at:
(518) 382-1454 or
1-866-42-SHARE,
or email us at:
sanys@sanys.org
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
FORMS & PAYMENT
Remember - due to space
limitations, conference
attendance will be limited
to a total of 600 people. Your completed
full conference registration form and
payment are due by August 1, 2006, as
are wait list requests. Don't be late!
Conference registration forms
may be mailed to:
Self-Advocacy Association of NYS, Inc.
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, NY 12304
Or faxed to: (518) 382-1594
Make your check or money order
payable to:
Self-Advocacy Association of NYS, Inc.
Payment must be received to secure
your full conference registration. Staff
and aides must also pay and register.
If you need help paying these expenses,
see page 4 for info about assistance from
SA. Please notify us of any name or other
changes to registrations.
Refunds will be
given up to
August 31, 2006 .
A $25 cancellation fee will be
charged. Refunds will not be given for
cancellations made after August 31.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS
In an effort to continuously improve the statewide
conference, the SA board has decided to
streamline registration choices to a single plan
which covers the entire conference, Thursday
through Saturday. This will not only ensure a
complete conference experience for each guest,
but will also reduce confusion and traffic during
mealtimes and at the registration tables. The
single rate for the conference is $165.
This year we have a limit of 600 conference-goers.
If this number is not reached by the registration
deadline, August 1, we will consider attendees for
either Thursday or Friday only, under the options
detailed below.
If you would like to be placed on the waiting
list, please send in your registration form WITHOUT
PAYMENT, and we will call you by August 15
to let you know if there will be space for
the option you have selected. Please
note that this does not guarantee your
registration space at the conference. We will
do our best to accomodate everyone who
wishes to attend.
To register NOW for the whole conference,
select this option on your registration form:
FULL REGISTRATION
FULL CONFERENCE:
Take in the whole conference experience of
learning, good food, and meeting new people.
This includes registration for all conference
activities and meals for all three days. $165
5
WAITING LIST OPTIONS - SEE ABOVE
THURSDAY ONLY
This plan includes registration, Thursday's
activities, banquet & entertainment. $70
FRIDAY ONLY
Please select from the following options:
ALL DAY FRIDAY $110
FRIDAY UNTIL 5PM (No Banquet) $80
Please indicate any special
services you need:
Sign Language
Interpreter
Braille or Large Print
Vegetarian Meals
Special Diet
(Please attach note with
specific needs)
FULL CONFERENCE All events and meals $165
(does not include hotel)
REGISTRATION FORM
It would help with our mailing list to know if you are a:
Self-Advocate Family Member Supporter Support Person or
Agency Staff Member
Your First Name Your Last Name
Your Home Address
City State Zip
Your Telephone #
Contact Person Their Telephone #
Local SA Group (if any) Agency Group Connection (if any)
To come to the whole conference, and to guarantee a place, please select
the option below & RETURN FORM WITH PAYMENT (See page 5 for info):
Payment
Please include payment of
your conference fee along
with this registration form.
For more payment
information, see Page 5
Cut along dotted line
Your E-mail Address
6
We hope that most people will register for the whole conference.
However, if you want to be placed on the waiting list to attend only par t of
the conference, please select one of the options below. There is no need to
send payment at this time. (See page 5 for info)
Note: Selecting these options DOES NOT guarantee you a place.
THURSDAY ONLY Thursday events and meals $70
FRIDAY ONLY
All Day Friday events and meals $110
Until 5 PM Friday until the banquet $80
Staff and aides must also pay and register.
Cut along dotted line
In the space provided below, please write the name of the person
or organization you would like to nominate. Then, check the
category of the award you think they should receive and write
a detailed account of why you believe they should receive it.
Include any outstanding achievements, especially in the past
year. Don't forget to put your name and phone number at
the bottom of the form in case we need to contact you with
any questions we might have.
Please return this form to:
Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc.
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, NY 12304
If you have any questions, please call us at (518) 382-1454.
AWARDS NOMINATION FORM
I nominate......................................................................................................................................for (check one):
Self-Advocate of the Year
Advisor of the Year Agency of the Year
Local Self-Advocacy Group of the Year
Media Award
because ..........................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
My name:....................................................................................
My phone #:...............................................................................
7
Help us save time and
money. If you received
more than one copy of
this brochure, or prefer
not to be on our mailing
list, or need to notify us
of a new address, give us
a call at: 518-382-1454.
Thanks!
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
SCHENECTADY, NY
PERMIT #11
500 Balltown Road
Schenectady, NY 12304
Tel: 518-382-1454
Fax: 518-382-1594
sanys@sanys.org
http://www.sanys.org
Help self-advocates attend the
conference: place an ad in the
SOUVENIR JOURNAL!
For information on ad sizes and rates,
visit www.sanys.org or contact
Fran Page at 518-382-1454