Who We Are

The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc. (SANYS) is a not-for profit, grassroots organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. Our goal is to help create a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS executive board supports self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages them to speak for themselves individually and collectively.

• We help set up local Self-Advocacy chapters, re-energize existing groups, and share information on local and national Self-Advocacy issues. We can also help you join a local Self-Advocacy Group.
  
• Members of our AmeriCorps project provide free presentations, titled Our Experience is the Best Teacher, to educate our peers, communities, and staff about our lives and what we have to offer. Click here to request a free presentation or call us today.
  
• Speakers Bureau members offer presentations which stress that no community is complete unless everyone has the opportunity to be involved. We speak to community groups, schools, faith organizations, and agency boards of directors. Call us or click here to request a free presentation.
  
• We provide training and support for Self-Determination. Discover a new way to create the life you want, buying the services you want - and about how your Circle of Support can help you get there.

Main Offices- see below or click here for regional contacts and phone numbers.

Capital/Northern Region (for all general inquiries)
Capital District DSO, 500 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12304
(518) 382-1454, fax (518) 382-1594

Central Region
800 S. Wilbur Ave., Suite 3A1, Syracuse, NY 13204
(315) 473-6927, fax (315) 425-5332

Hudson Valley Region
c/o WIHD, Cedarwood Hall, Rm. 215, 95 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla, NY 10595
914-493-8367, fax 914-493-1973

New York City Region
75 Morton Street, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10014
212-627-2104, fax 212-229-3097

Western Region- Buffalo
1200 East & West Road, West Seneca, NY 14220
716-674-6300 x 3170, fax 716-517-3458

Western Region- Rochester
620 Westfall Road, Suite 214, Rochester, NY 14620
585-461-8776, fax 585-461-8733

Statewide Staff

Steve Holmes, Administrative Director
Cynthia Gilchrist, Assistant Administrative Director
Clint Perrin, Statewide Project Assistant
Sophia Roberts, Statewide Project Coordinator
Jackie Widay, Fiscal Manager
Karen Eplite, Administrative Assistant
Frannie Page, Office Clerk

Regional Contacts