Welcome to the 2025 legislative session, where two positions crucial to the welfare of the intellectual and developmental disability community have been filled.
New York State Sen. Patricia Fahy has been appointed as Chair on the Senate’s Standing Committee on Disabilities for the 2025-26 session, and Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara Chair on the Assembly’s People with Disabilities Committee.
“OPWDD looks forward to working with the new legislative Chairs of the Senate Disabilities Committee and Assembly People with Disabilities Committee … to further advance supports and services for people with developmental disabilities,” OPWDD Acting Commissioner Willow Baer shared with The Boost in an email.
“Both members have a history of working closely with our agency in support of issues that benefit people with developmental disabilities and their frontline support staff,” Baer continued, “and we are excited about the leadership and advocacy these new chairs will bring.”
Fahy replaces Sen. John Mannion, who left the state Senate to join Congress, while Santabarbara takes the slot formerly filled by Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright, who has been appointed Chair of the Aging Committee.
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First elected in 2012, Fahy, in her role in the State Assembly, served as Chair of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee, and served on four additional committees as well. In 2019, she received the NYS Industries for the Disabled’s (NYSID) Legislative Champion Award for work on behalf of individuals living with developmental disabilities.
You can contact the senator’s office at (518) 455-2225, Fahy@nysenate.gov.
Santabarbara has long championed disability issues. His official bio notes that his son Michael, has autism: “This life-altering event prompted Angelo to transition from his more than 15-year career as a civil engineer to embark on a path of public service and advocacy for people with disabilities.”
RELATED NEWS: NY State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara’s Personal Mission of Advocacy on Behalf of New Yorkers with Disabilities (Autism Spectrum News)
Below is Santabarbara presenting a proclamation from the Assembly recognizing the Autism Society Greater Hudson Region, New York for 30 years of service and supports.
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Santabarbara was elected to the Assembly n 2012. He’s a member of several committees, including on Mental Health, and has been involved in several pieces of disability-related legislation,
You can contact Santabarbara’s office at 518-455-5197, SantabarbaraA@nyassembly.gov.
