Frequently Asked Questions: 2024 Advocacy Day – February 12, 2024

How do I sign up?

Please register for Advocacy Day using our online form.

Where is it?

Advocacy Day registration and check-in is in the Well of the Legislative Office Building in Albany, which is part of the Empire State Plaza. The street address of the Legislative Office Building is 198 State Street, Albany NY 12210.

If you are parking in the V-Lot parking area, enter through the elevator to the Concourse level. The Concourse is a long hallway with many businesses on both sides. Follow overhead signs toward “Legislative Office Building.” Please note: The V-Lot fills up very early. If you need accessible parking, it is advised to call ahead to reserve it. Link to Concourse map.

You will need to pass through security to enter the Well. You do not need to remove your shoes. Please review the list of banned items and leave those at home. They are very strict about scissors, tape, and speakers!

What time should I arrive?

ARRIVAL TIME IS 10:00 AM IN THE WELL!

This is a very busy time of year and there will be many visitors passing through security. If you can, we suggest you allow a minimum of 30 minutes to find your bearings and pass through security.

Who will be there?

CDANY and NYAIL will both have staff present to help attendees check in. It varies from year to year, but there are usually at least a couple hundred people present in the Well – consumers, personal assistants, fiscal intermediary staff, community organizers and advocates, reporters, and more.

Speakers from both houses of the Legislature, the Assembly and the Senate, will also be present to address the group.

What should I bring?

We will provide meeting materials and t-shirts to attendees who register ahead of time. In terms of other items – it is advisable to carry your essential healthcare items plus wallet, keys, phone.

DO NOT BRING knives (including small pocket knives on keychains) or other sharp objects such as nail clippers or other items that could possibly be categorized as a weapon. Further, potentially disruptive items such as whistles or noisemakers are not allowed.

Where do I park?

Visitors to the Empire State Plaza who arrive by private vehicle typically use the V-Lot parking garage. There are several garages off exit 3 from I-787. Additional parking information can be found here. NOTE: The parking garages all take credit or debit cards, but not cash. 

If you need to reserve an accessible parking space, please contact Nicole Mastroianni (nmastroianni@ilny.org) by Monday, January 29.

What should I wear?

We suggest wearing comfortable, clean clothing. There is no specific dress code. Plus you will be provided a cool blue CDANY t-shirt.

If you are sick, please stay home.

Is transportation provided?

Advocacy Day attendees are responsible for getting to and from Albany on their own. However, some of our members are providing bus transportation. We recommend contacting your fiscal intermediary to learn what they may offer.

CDANY is offering travel scholarships for eligible consumers to help offset costs. We will provide as much assistance as possible; however, scholarships are not guaranteed to cover all costs.

Will CDANY schedule my meetings for me?

In the spirit of self-direction, attendees are responsible for scheduling their own meetings with your representatives. It is recommended that you coordinate with your FI or other consumers you know are attending in order to minimize repeat meetings with Legislators.

For more information on how to schedule your meetings, check out our resource.

Who should I schedule my meetings with?

The State Legislature in Albany includes two houses: the Assembly and the Senate. Every New York resident has one State Senator and one State Assemblymember. These are your state representatives, which are different from federal representatives (Congress and U.S. Senate).

You can look up your elected officials using the “Find Officials” tool at our Action Center.

What time should I schedule my meetings?

Please avoid scheduling legislative meetings between 11:00 and 12:15 so that we can show our strength in numbers during the rally in the Well.

How does a meeting work?
Legislative meetings are typically 15 to 30 minutes long. You will likely meet with a member of legislative staff, not the member themselves. Before going into the meeting, if you are in a group, identify a “run of show” – who will say what, in what order?

For detailed support and meeting tips, please view our resource here.

I can’t go to Advocacy Day. How else can I help?
If you absolutely cannot make it work to come to Albany, that’s okay! There are many alternative ways you can show support and take action:

• Sign up as an advocate and tell us about you – what skills or talents you have or want to develop.
• Join as an Individual Member of CDANY for just $22.50.
• Schedule a meeting with your elected officials at the district office. Many are conducting meetings via Zoom, so you don’t even need to leave the house.
  
• Share Advocacy Day and other information with your family and friends and encourage them to get involved and take action.