• ARC : Advocacy and Services for People with Disabilities
• CAB : Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI)
• CNYDSO : Central New York Developmental Services Office
• FAC : Family Advocacy Center
• HTC : Human Technologies Corporation
• The Kelberman Center
• RCIL : Resource Center for Independent Living
• UCP : Upstate Cerebral Palsy

The ARC -- Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC

The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC was started in 1954 by a group of parents who envisioned a rich full life for their children with special needs.  The parents who started the ARC believed their children could learn and grow to become participating members of the community.

The Arc provides a full spectrum of educational, vocational, residential, family support, service coordination, guardianship, respite care, recreational rehabilitation, day habilitation, clinical, senior, and children services to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

One of the goals of The Arc is to increase public awareness about the needs, rights and most importantly, the abilities of people with developmental disabilities.

CAB -- Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI)

Established in 1929, CABVI is a not-for-profit agency, that serves people who are blind or visually impaired from newborns to elderly.  The professional staff offers comprehensive vision rehabilitation, employment, and technology services personally tailored to people with visual impairments.  CABVI has a contract with Oneida County to provide a day training program for people with both, developmental disabilities and visual impairment.

CNYDSO  -- Central New York Developmental Services Office

New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.  It provides individualized services for people with developmental disabilities and their families in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis counties.  Onondaga Central New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) is an agency of the Oswego, Cortland, and Cayuga Counties.  Central New York DDSO works in partnership with families, voluntary agencies, and local governments to design, develop, and deliver programs and services that meet the needs of each individual and his or her family.

FAC  -- Family Advocacy Center

The Family Advocacy Center, FAC, is a not-for-profit agency located in Deerfield, New York, which serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

FAC began over 25 years ago as a grass-roots parent advocacy group and was later incorporated in the State of New York as "Parent Advocates for the Retarded and Developmentally Disabled".  In 1994, the agency's name was changed to "Family Advocacy Center".

FAC has a staff of seven advocates/service coordinators, an executive director and a secretary who serve Oneida, Herkimer and Lewis Counties in upstate New York. The agency provides information and referral, advocacy, special education advocacy, Medicaid Service Coordination, trainings and workshops for parents and other professionals in the area of special education, guardianship, SSI, etc.

In order to receive services from FAC, individuals must have a developmental disability, live in Oneida, Herkimer, or Lewis County, and live at home with their family.

HTC -- Human Technologies Corporation

Human Technologies Corporation (HTC) is a company of diverse businesses helping people to overcome barriers and achieve personal success.

HTC's mission is to assist individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment to attain their fullest potential by providing an array of quality services and employment opportunities.  The agency is committed to assisting people by providing training, work and supportive services for those with obstacles to employment and by providing counseling and clinical services for those seeking to improve the overall quality of their lives.

RCIL --Resource Center For Independent Living

With almost 1000 employees providing service in 26 counties in Upstate New York, the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) is the largest of 37 independent living centers (ILCs) in the state and one of over 400 nationally.

RCIL is a community-based nonprofit agency offering a wide range of independent living and advocacy services for and -- most importantly -- with people with disabilities.

UCP -- Upstate Cerebral Palsy

Upstate Cerebral Palsy is a provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families.  Upstate Cerebral Palsy currently employs over 1,800 full and part-time employees at 73 locations throughout central New York.  As direct-care and education centers, these include medical, clinical and therapeutic personnel, teachers, social service staff, maintenance, clerical and general support staff.

Providing care and support to more than 14,000 children and adults in the last year, Upstate Cerebral Palsy also benefits from the services and support of hundreds of community volunteers.  As one of the largest employers in the central New York region, Upstate Cerebral Palsy centers also provide educational opportunities for students from area high schools, as well as partners with several colleges and universities in hosting clinical and major-related student internships.

From the first seven children with cerebral palsy in 1950 to the thousands of people it serves today, Upstate Cerebral Palsy has remained focused on its initial purpose...providing care to people with differing abilities.  It has grown from a clinic for children with cerebral palsy into a comprehensive system of programs and services focused on meeting a variety of needs for people of all ages.