The Journey from Advocacy to Activism

Matthew Weiler, Program Director; Evan Yankey, NYC Regional Coordinator SANYS AHRC Melissa Riggio Higher Ed Prog. @ CSI, KBCC Kingsborough Community College, The College of Staten Island, AHRC New York City, and Self Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS) have collaborated to give college students, students with intellectual disabilities, direct support professionals, and community members a thorough understanding of self-advocacy and community activism. “Advocacy Unlimited” is a course offered through Continuing Education on both college campuses to develop future leaders in the self-advocacy movement. Bio Matthew Weiler Matthew Weiler is the Director of numerous individualized programs, including the Melissa Reggio Higher Education Programs at Kingsborough Community College and the College of Staten Island. Mr. Weiler has a long history with AHRC New York City in both administrative and direct service positions. He has been developing the infrastructure for community based supports for young people with intellectual disabilities in New York City.   Evan Yankey Evan Yankey is the New York City Regional Coordinator for the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State where he reports to a Board of Directors controlled entirely by people with developmental disabilities themselves, and is responsible for advocacy and organizing for the 50,000+ people with developmental disabilities in the 5-borough region. Evan has worked with and alongside people with developmental disabilities for over a decade in Idaho, Oregon, and New York State; working in residential, day service, and individualized service programs. He also has community organizing and lobbying experience through work with the Service Employees International Union, United Students Against Sweatshops, and various Peace and Anti-Globalization organizations. He graduated from Columbia University in 2008 with a BA in American Studies and a Concentration in Disability Studies with a thesis on controversial treatments for autism. In his capacity as Coordinator for SANYS he has focused on issues of relationships and sexuality as well as non-facility based services for people with developmental disabilities. Click here to go back