**This podcast was recorded using Zoom |  October 4, 2021 **DRNY’s Senior PAVA Advocate, Helen Hellmuth, discusses how to be an informed voter, the importance of media literacy, and provides tips and resources to review before casting your vote. **Resources**Vote411.org ballotpedia.org Votesmart.org factcheck.org lwvny.org Important Dates:Deadline to register to vote for General Election (must be hand-delivered or postmarked by) – October 8, 2021 Deadline to change address for General Election – October 13, 2021Deadline to request absentee (or accessible absentee) ballot online, e-mail, fax, or mail – October 26, 2021NYS General Election Early Voting Period: October 23 – October 31, 2021NYS General Election – November 2, 2021Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Empire State of Rights: Closed Captioned

How to be an Informed Voter

DRNY staff attorney, Jess Cochrane, Esq., discusses National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the theme for 2021, and how you can participate in the celebration.The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY&apos;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**Resources**https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeamSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Mes Nacional de Concientización sobre el Empleo para Personas con Discapacidades

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | September 28, 2021 **DRNY’s PAAT, PATBI, and PAVA Program Director, Christy Asbee, Esq., is joined by Helen Hellmuth, Senior PAVA Advocate, to discuss your voting options when submitting your ballot for an election in New York State.**Resources**County Board of ElectionsVoter Registration Statusballotpedia.orgDRNY&apos;s 2021 "Voter Registration Toolkit"How PAVA Can Support YouLeague of Women Voters&apos; Election InformationHow to File a HAVA Administrative Complaint during a Federal ElectionSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

New York State Voting Options

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | September 3, 2021 **DRNY staff attorney, Amanda Pearlstein, discusses the U.S. Education Department’s new Student Loan Forgiveness policy for people with total and permanent disabilities (TPD). **Resources**https://www.disabilitydischarge.com/https://www.npr.org/2021/08/19/1029294871/education-dept-discharges-student-loans-borrowers-with-disabilities-tpd Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Student Loan Forgiveness for People with TPD

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | September 14, 2021 **David Wantuck, the Community Engagement Specialist at Deaf Access Services, an Affiliate of People Inc. (DAS), discusses DAS&apos;s mission, the services it provides, and its current projects and events. **Resources**www.wnydas.orgEmail: communications@wnydas.org**Notes**In February 2019, Deaf Access Services formed an affiliation with People Incorporated in order to meet the growing needs of the WNY Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.**DAS Services**CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM- The DAS Career Pathways Program team assists qualified Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals with all aspects of their job search.INTERPRETING, CART, AND CAPTIONING SERVICES – –Deaf Access Services is the leading not for profit agency in Western New York that provides Qualified Sign Language Interpreters, CART and VRI Services.–Interpreters are evaluated by highly qualified staff and are expected to adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct. –We also support the use of captioning and interpreting in all video content, ensuring access to the information for all viewers. We offer customizable captioning based on a business or organizations needs and offer captioning combined with ASL interpretation or voice-over interpretation.COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES- Services are available for Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened individuals who are experiencing various obstacles to mainstream services.We provide assistance with:                                                            •General Information/Referrals•Health Care Access•Housing Issues•Legal and Financial Referrals•SSI/SSDI Letters•Social Services (DSS) Matters•Assistive Devices for Home                                                                                                                             Deaf Access Services also assists business and organizations navigating their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).ASL CLASSES & OUTREACH- DAS provides education about Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the Western New York community through:•Sign Language classes•Outreach presentations•Deaf Community workshopsThrough these educational opportunities, DAS enhances Self-Awareness in the Deaf Community and increases knowledge of Deaf Culture.  DAS offers ongoing day and evening classes to teach American Sign Language (ASL), providing opportunity for ALL individuals.NEW AMERICANS PROGRAM DAS provides education and case management services for Deaf refugees and immigrants from around the world to assist them in their acculturation process in Western New York.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Deaf Access Services, an Affiliate of People Inc.

Hugo Acosta, creator of the first Hispanic-oriented newspaper "CNY Latino", discusses the importance and origins of Hispanic Heritage Month.The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY&apos;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**Resources**www.cnylatino.comcnylatinonewspaper.comSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Mes de la Herencia Hispana

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | August 4, 2021 **For a featured episode of The Director&apos;s Chair,  DRNY&apos;s Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., is joined by María Alvarez, the Executive Director of New York StateWide Senior Action Council. María and Tim discuss the work of New York Statewide Senior Action Council and the advocacy both organizations provide.**Resources**New York StateWide Senior Action Council: https://www.nysenior.org/ Patients’ Rights Helpline: https://www.nysenior.org/our-helplines/patients-rights-helpline/ Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program: https://www.cssny.org/programs/entry/managed-care-consumer-assistance-program-mccapSenior Medicare Patrol Program: https://www.nysenior.org/senior-medicare-patrol/ Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

The Director's Chair: New York StateWide Senior Action Council

ENCORE: **This podcast was recorded on February 5, 2020.**Christy Asbee esq., PAAT, PATBI, & PAVA Director at DRNY, discusses the difference between service animals and emotional support animals.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals

ENCORE: **This podcast was recorded on January 22, 2020.**Previous DRNY staff attorney, Andrea Clisura, discusses Committees on Special Education (CSEs) and their responsibility regarding special transportation for students with disabilities.Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Special Transportation for Students with Disabilities

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | June 24, 2021**DRNY senior staff attorney, Jessica Barlow, discusses DRNY comments on proposed rulemaking for NYS Division of Human Rights Notice of Tenants’ Rights. **Resources**https://www.dropbox.com/s/3tecs8b30f13hx0/2021.05.27%20-%20Public%20Comments%20on%20DHR%20Notice%20of%20Tenants%20Rights%20Final.pdf?dl=0 Support the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

DRNY Comments on Proposed Rulemaking for NYS Division of Human Rights

Nelson Flores, the President and Organizer of LatinFest, discusses the importance and origins of this celebration, the details of the event, and how to get involved.The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY&apos;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg. **Resources**https://www.albanylatinfest.orghttps://www.facebook.com/AlbanyLatinFestSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

El LatinFest

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | July 28, 2021**DRNY&apos;s CAP & PABSS Program Director, Erica Molina, Esq., discusses the Paralympic games, specifically concerning three-time gold medalist Becca Meyers and her decision not to compete in Tokyo due to the denial of her reasonable accommodation request. **Resources**https://www.cbsnews.com/news/becca-meyers-paralympics-deaf-blind-swimmer-out-assistant-denied/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1110747/perkins-slams-meyers-after-statementSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

Tokyo Paralympic Reasonable Accommodations

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | June 28, 2021 **For a featured episode of The Director&apos;s Chair,  DRNY&apos;s Executive Director, Tim Clune, Esq., is joined by John Robinson, President and CEO of Our Ability Inc., to discuss the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), how things have changed, and what work is still to be done. **Resources**www.ourability.comwww.adaanniversary.orgSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

The Director's Chair: The 31st ADA Anniversary

Regina Finelli McLean, a speech language pathologist at Amigo Baby, discusses the Early Intervention Program. The subtitled and ASL version of this podcast is available on DRNY&apos;s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4JcJEFJXGgiZwE4zbw2BKg.**Resources**https://amigobaby.comDRNY Fact SheetsSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

El Programa de Intervención Temprana

**This podcast was recorded using Zoom | June 28, 2021** 88 year-old Korean War veteran, Richard, shares his DRNY story to resolve an issue with his unemployment benefits through the help of DRNY Intake Specialist, Virginia Anderson. **Resources**https://www.drny.orgPhone: (518) 432-7861Email: mail@DRNY.orgOnline Intake Form: https://www.drny.org/intake.phpSupport the show (https://donate.democracyengine.com/DRNY/contribute)

My DRNY Story: Richard

A weekly podcast produced by Disability Rights New York. Empire State of Rights: Closed Captioned is your source for current topics and trends essential to disability rights advocacy. For our closed captioned version, visit our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/DisabilityRightsNewYork