Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) - Special Education
The Mission of VESID is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protection to which they are entitled; assure appropriate continuity between the child and adult services systems; and provide the highest quality vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons as quickly as those services are required to enable them to work and live independent, self-directed lives.
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities - New York State Education Department: Preschool - 619
The VESID Special Education Policy Unit ensures that preschool children with disabilities are getting timely and appropriate services in the least restrictive environment and that those services are coordinated with State and local agencies. The Policy Unit provides technical assistance, policy development (legislation/regulations), training, approvals for special education preschool programs, and monitoring of certain early intervention programs.
Surrogate Parent Information
Candace Shyer
Supervisor, Policy Unit
NYS Education Department
Office for Special Education Services
One Commerce Plaza, Room 1624
Albany, NY 12234
Ph:
Fax:
Parent to Parent of New York State
We offer parents/caregivers the opportunity to connect one-to-one with a parent/caregiver of an individual with the same or similar disability or special health care need -- someone who has "been there". Our trained volunteer Support Parents provide emotional support and information by telephone or Email to other families who face similar challenges. Whether it's for a new diagnosis, a hospitalization, or a life transition, talking with another family who?s ?been there? is extremely helpful.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. (NYS PTA) recognizes that every child deserves excellence in education and in quality of life. NYS PTA will maintain its commitment and service to all children and to its diverse membership through increased parent and community awareness, advocacy, education, and involvement.
Additional Resources
Centers for Independent Living
We create opportunities for independence for people with disabilities through research, education, and consultation. This page includes a list of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) and is updated weekly by the Independent Research Living Utilization (IRLU).
Easter Seals New York
Easter Seals New York was founded in 1922 as one of the first organizations to aid people with disabilities. For the last 80 years, we have been producing programs that enable those with special needs to achieve equality, dignity, and independence in their own communities. We are a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the health and welfare of New York State children and adults with special needs. Statewide, our programs and services provide innovative solutions that enhance the lives of people with disabilities and other special needs, while heightening community awareness and acceptance.
Family Empowerment Council, Inc.
Family Empowerment Council (FEC) is a grassroots, family-oriented, person-centered agency made up of parents, consumers, and professionals. We are firmly committed to the belief that every individual should be included in the community to whatever extent he or she chooses. Each person should be informed about the choices available in life and be provided the ways and means to access those choices, thus making decisions at whatever level possible. People with disabilities should be part of the natural system within their own community. Most of FEC's programs are available to families in Orange and Sullivan Counties of New York State.
New York Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
We designed the New York Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities so people who love and work with our children can get reliable information, support -- and connect with one another.
VSA arts of New York City
VSA arts of New York City provides art, educational and creative expression experiences to thousands of children, youth, and adults with disabilities who reside in the five boroughs of New York City. It provides opportunities for people with disabilities to demonstrate their accomplishments in the arts and foster increased understanding and acceptance. The organization promotes the development of partnerships within the public and private sectors of the city. VSA arts of New York City utilizes the cultural facilities of New York City to enrich arts experiences for its participants.
A Note about These Resources
The resources posted on this website contain hypertext links or pointers to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links and pointers are provided for the user's convenience. NERRC does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Further, the inclusion of links or pointers to particular items in hypertext is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered on these outside sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
