Share
Nick Lacentra and Matt Seagriff, two self advocates from Long Island, had a chance to attend this year’s LI SANYS Regional Conference and learn about how to overcome challenges in society as people with I/DD.
The self advocacy conference was in-person for the first time since 2019 and held at the Marriott in Melville on July 14. This year’s theme was “Unite for Change” and close to 80 attendees heard from speakers all over Long Island, including Josh Mirsky, a 29-year-old advocate and member of the New York State Autism Advisory Board who designed a flag to represent the neurodiverse population.
“It was so nice to have the conference be in-person this year and see Matt and Nick greet their friends who they haven’t seen in years,” said Colleen Ryan, Long Island Regional Support Supervisor. “I think it inspired them to advocate for different wants and needs. This year our advocacy group wants help with fundraising so they can go to more conferences like this... they want to organize a dance to help them raise funds because they love socializing and meeting new people.”
“I thought the conference was pretty cool and I am hoping to go back next year and the years beyond,” said Nick Lacentra, the president of the LI self advocacy group and Dix Hills IRA resident. “People need to respect me and my friends and people with disabilities because we contribute a lot to our communities and our voices matter.”