IDDO

07/26/2025

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turns 35 today! 🎊🎉

IDDO is proud to be a part of the ADA’s legacy as ombudsprogram.

To learn more about this law check out the The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s ADA Toolkit
https://autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/ada/

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. The disability community fought hard to get the ADA passed into law, and we continue to fight hard to protect it. This year, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ADA becoming the…

07/02/2025

Happy 4th of July! The IDDO Helpline will be closed Thursday July 3rd and Friday July 4th.

You can leave us a voicemail or request help through our online form. There's a QR code in the post or you can go to https://www.cssny.org/programs/entry/iddo

07/01/2025

Happy Disability Pride! Southern Adirondack Independent Living - SAIL

Today, July 1, marks the start of Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate, uplift, and affirm the identities and contributions of people with disabilities. But let’s be clear: Disability Pride doesn’t begin and end in July. Disability is not seasonal — it’s lived, experienced, and embodied every single day.

This year, we also honor the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark civil rights law that broke barriers in employment, education, transportation, and public life — and while it moved us forward, the fight for true equity and access continues.

So today, and every day, we celebrate the strength and brilliance of the disability community — and recommit to showing up, speaking out, and pushing forward. Because Disability Pride is not just a month. It’s a movement.

06/23/2025

Apply now!

The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is offering funds for non-profit organizations in New York State to support their staff to become Certified Housing Navigators and support people with developmental disabilities and their families from communities who speak English as a second language in identifying housing options and creating a housing plan.

Deadline to apply is July 17, 2025.

Learn more and apply here: https://cdd.ny.gov/bilingual-housing-navigation

06/20/2025

Thank you to INCLUDEnyc, one of IDDO's nine outreach partners, for sharing this great video yesterday for Juneteenth on racial and disability justice.

Juneteenth has always been about celebrating Black people and Black culture. However, our understanding of Juneteenth largely comes from stories that are tol...

06/19/2025

Happy Juneteenth!

The IDDO helpline is closed today, June 19th, for observance of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is a federal holiday observed every year on June 19th.

You can still call us and leave a voicemail or email us at iddo@cssny.org

06/03/2025

Happy Pride Month!

Video: A video with upbeat instrumental music with the logo for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram, "Happy Pride!" appears on the screen. Below that there is an infinity symbol in rainbow colors and seven hands each holding a small flag to represent the different identities in the LGTBQIA+ community.

05/20/2025

Thank you Westchester Institute For Human Development for continuing to promote IDDO!

Need help with OPWDD services? The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram (IDDO) is here to provide free and private support.

Contact us:
1-800-762-9290
iddo@cssny.org
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

We can help you get information, connect with OPWDD’s Front Door, work with your providers, and file complaints if needed.

05/19/2025

Meet Team IDDO. We are here to help!

Our staff is here to answer your questions about services, support you, and help you advocate!

Call us at 1-800-762-9290 or email us at iddo@cssny.org

Flor Ramirez, Supervising Attorney
Nancy Castillo, Helpline Manager
Lynn Decker, Quality Assurance Manager
Rachel Shuman, Training and Outreach Manager
Samantha Baran, Attorney
Christian Abbott, Law Graduate
Sue Garcia, Counselor
Soren Shapiro, Counselor
Lawrence Chang, Counselor
Joseph Ryan, Counselor
Veronica Powers, Program Administrative Specialist

05/14/2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

IDDO knows that many people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) need mental health care.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call or text 988 or call 911.

05/02/2025

CIDA NY is one of IDDO's regional outreach and education partners. Check out Dr. Young Seh Bae, CIDA's President and Executive Director, promoting IDDO to the Korean speaking community.

05/02/2025

CIDA NY is one of IDDO's 9 regional outreach partners. Check out this video they made for Mandarin speakers to learn about us!