Issues: Disability

Event held to celebrate renovation work being done to serve the needs of Depew family. DEPEW, N.Y. – Twin sisters Amber and Ashley Geary know what it’s like to overcome great adversity. Since birth, both girls have lived with cerebral palsy – a debilitating disease that has forced them to endure struggles, but has failed to deter their spirits.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that New York State recently launched a statewide alert system to help locate vulnerable adults who go missing. The “Missing Adults Alert” system, which is similar to the national Amber Alert program for missing children, will help authorities quickly notify the public when someone with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive impairment goes missing. 

Legislative progress is being made in Albany to protect victims of violence 

Members of the Western New York Legislative Delegation gathered Monday morning to provide key updates on their collaborative efforts to enact Laura Cummings Law, a bill named in honor of the young developmentally disabled Erie County woman who was murdered by her mother in January 2010 after years of abuse and mistreatment. 

News From New York StateSenator Shirley L. HuntleyFor Immediate Release: June 24, 2011Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

**PRESS RELEASE**

New Fire Safety Plans for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)

Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C Syracuse) announced that the New York State Senate today passed a bill that he co-sponsored (S.4005A), which would enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The legislation would require insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.