LD A Learning Disabilities Association of New York State, Inc. January 4, 2010 1190 Troy-Schenectady Road Dear Governor Paterson and Members of the New York State Legislature, Latham, NY 12110 518/608-8992 Fax: 518/608-8993 We at the Learning Disabilities Association of New York State and our statewide [email protected] Chapters and membership, are pleased to provide for you our 2010 New York www.ldanys.org State Legislative Program. LDA Regional Affiliates: We remain acutely aware of the challenging budget crisis now facing the New LDA of the Capital District (aka Wildwood Programs) York State Leadership as you continue to grapple with deficits and harsh fiscal 2995 Curry Road Extension restraints. We firmly believe however, that the principles and policy Schenectady, NY 12303 recommendations embodied in out Legislative Program offers our state an LDA of Central New York important, yet largely untapped resource for promoting equal opportunity, 722 West Manlius Street fairness and dignity for all New Yorkers. East Syracuse, NY 13057 LDA of the Life & Learning All too often, our failure to appropriately provide educational and support Services services for persons with learning disabilities results in the tragic and costly use 339 East Avenue, 4th Floor of “last resort” programs. When you consider the large proportion of Rochester, NY 14604 incarcerated New York State youth who are known or suspected of having a LDA of Long Island learning disability, or the numbers of adults with learning disabilities in our State 44 South Elmwood Avenue correctional facilities, or the disproportionate number of persons with learning Montauk, NY 11954 disabilities receiving income support, in addition to many other safety net LDA of the Mohawk Valley programs and initiatives serving persons with learning disabilities, then you will 401 Columbia Street see the huge costs of this tragedy, in both human and fiscal terms. Yet research Utica, NY 13502 and experience demonstrates that modest investments in educational and support LDA of New York City, Inc. services for persons with learning disabilities will have a substantial positive 27 West 20th Street, impact on their lives and relationships, while providing substantial savings to Room 303 taxpayers. New York, NY 10011 LDA of the Southern Tier Our Association’s Executive Director Stephen Boese is readily available in 112 Nanticoke Avenue Albany to answer your questions and work with your office to advance these Endicott, NY 13760 initiatives. Please don’t hesitate to contact him at our Latham Headquarters. LDA of Western New York 2555 Elmwood Avenue It seems as if nearly all New Yorkers have a family member, friend or Kenmore, NY 14217 acquaintance with a learning disability, or have a learning disability themselves. Chartered by the Board Your support for them now is critically important, especially during these of Regents of the challenging times. University of the State of New York as a Non- Sincerely, Profit Corporation for Education, Medical, Social and Research Needs. Mike Helman 1 An affiliate of LDA of President America, Inc. .