Mission


Speaking Up for Ourselves and Others

Vision


The Self-Advocacy Association of New York State, Inc., is an organization founded, and led, by people with developmental disabilities for people with developmental disabilities. We promote the awareness and recognition of the civil rights and responsibilities which include the opportunities and choices of equal citizenship.

Values


SANYS works toward positive social change while embracing the following values:

  • Honesty
  • Respect
  • Inclusion
  • Choice
  • Equality
  • Freedom

Nothing about us, without us

Our goal is to help self-advocates build the skill and courage needed to speak up for themselves and others. We believe that empowered self-advocates can help create inclusive communities and a person-centered and person-directed system of supports. To further this goal, the SANYS board and delegated staff members support self-advocates and self-advocacy groups regionally and statewide. SANYS encourages self-advocates to speak for themselves individually and collectively.