Everything You Need to Know About OPWDD Eligibility

This series of videos gives an introduction to the OPWDD eligibility process, and process for obtaining services. 

• What is OPWDD, where to start and what is eligibility? Basic introduction to accessing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York. Introduces Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the concept of eligibility for OPWDD funded services.

• What is needed to apply for OPWDD eligibility? Discusses evaluations required for applying for eligibility and steps required for submitting paperwork to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).

• Eligibility attained, what now? Once a person has established eligibility, what are the next steps? How do you access services? What services are there?

Family Life

Can individuals with developmental disabilities be good parents? “Family Life” profiles Clement & Karen Lefebvre and their two children.

Preparing Your Child/Young Adult for Work

This fact sheet defines disability disclosure and discusses the advantages and disadvantages for young adults disclosing their disability to their employer.

Siblings

Siblings is a touching look inside the world of those who have grown up with a brother or sister with a developmental disability. This film explores the many challenges siblings face, as well as the added responsibility that is thrust upon them at a very early age. The interviewees testify that they once had feelings of neglect, anger and jealously toward their siblings with a developmental disability but have grown to become more patient and understanding and to love and accept them. “…I will always be a part of them and they’ll be a part of me.”

Someone Like Me

A short documentary featuring two young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, who spend a day exploring Seattle together, and discuss the difficult realities of living with a preventable disability.