IDDO

05/15/2026

IDDO, a program of the Community Service Society of New York, is pleased to share our first annual report!

This past year we helped over 1,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities navigate OPWDD supports and services such as housing, self-direction, care management, day program and other community services.

IDDO is here to help. To learn more visit www.iddony.org/2025-annual-report

04/03/2026

We're kicking off Autism and Neurodiversity Acceptance Month! This April and always we celebrate all people with Autism Spectrum Disorder who celebrate their neurodiversity.

Today we raise the Neurodiversity Strength Flag at Jones Beach on Long Island. On Thursday, April 2 - the colors of the Neurodiversity Strength Flag will be lit up on several New York State landmarks. If you visit any locations, share a photo in the comments below!

Here is a list of places to see the lights:
- 1WTC
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
- State Education Building
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Empire State Plaza
- State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
- Niagara Falls
- The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
- Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
- Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
- Moynihan Train Hall
- Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

01/07/2026

Final reminder! Applications are due January 9th, 2026!

The New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is seeking to fund two grantees to develop a peer mentoring program - one for adults with dual IDD and mental health diagnoses and one for parents/caregivers of dually diagnosed family members. Applicants may apply to either opportunity, or may apply to both. If applying to both opportunities, applicants must submit separate applications for the individual peer mentoring and family member peer mentoring program.

Learn more about the grant opportunity here: https://cdd.ny.gov/grant-opportunity-announcement-peer-mentoring-mental-health-and-idd-dual-diagnosis

12/30/2025

ADAPT’s Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) supports older adults in aging safely at home through small-scale, non-structural maintenance modifications that reduce fall and injury risks.

To qualify, participants must be at least 62 years old, live within New York City’s five boroughs (applies to renters and homeowners), and have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Some examples of OAHMP maintenance modifications include:

Installation of grab bars or handrails
Repair or replacement of lighting fixtures for better visibility
Repair of minor plumbing or electrical issues that affect safety
Installation of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
Door lever handle replacements

For more information on OAHMP please contact Wendy De Leon at: [email protected]

12/23/2025

IDDO'S HOLIDAY HOURS

Our helpline will be closed this Thursday (12/25) and Friday (12/26) this week and Thursday (1/1) and Friday (1/2) the following week. We will respond to voicemails and contact form submissions as soon as possible.

Visit https://iddony.org/get-help/ to submit a contact form.

Our team wishes you and your loved ones happy holidays and a happy new year!

12/13/2025

Happy One-Year Anniversary to IDDO!

One year ago, we launched our statewide live-answer helpline. Since then, we’ve built an incredible team, welcomed visitors, expanded outreach across the state in multiple languages, and—most importantly—empowered New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.

Thank you to our outreach partners, the OPWDD Office of Advocacy, and our peer specialists for their support.
Here’s to more learning and growth in the year ahead!

09/18/2025

IDDO is excited to announce that we officially launched our new website! To learn more visit www.iddony.org

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