The 2007 Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State (CP of NYS) Annual Conference had nearly 900 people from across the state attend three-days of workshops and meetings, October 22-24 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany.

Highlights of the event included a strong Keynote Address by John D. Kemp, a nationally-recognized expert on disability issues and Chief Executive Officer of ACCSES, The Voice of Disability Service Providers; a panel discussion of key statewide issues headlined by Lieutenant Governor David Paterson and Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of the State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) and the CP of NYS Annual Awards Dinner on October 22.

Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD); Edward Placke, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities in the State Education Department; Gregory Allen, Director of Financial Planning and Policy in the Office of Health Insurance Programs at the NYS Department of Health and Bruce E. Feig, Executive Deputy Commissioner from the State Office of Mental Health; joined lieutenant Governor Paterson in addressing more than 100 people from CP of NYS Affiliates across the state about issues critical to people with disabilities and provider agencies. All touched on the need to form partnerships between state agencies, providers and consumers and their families to efficiently provided services and support to people with disabilities and their families.

The 2007 Annual Conference was packed with more than 40 sessions and meetings dealing with issues ranging from Autism to Medicaid regulations and health and clinical issues. The CP of NYS Annual Awards Dinner on Monday evening provided an opportunity to recognize and honor individuals and organizations from across the state for their success in overcoming obstacles, or for their contributions to people with disabilities and their families. The next night 61 employees from 21 Affiliates were honored for outstanding service at the Celebrate Staff Dinner.

Again this year there was a display of artwork submitted by Affiliates from across the state during the day on Tuesday. The art display was accompanied by music from "Creation", a musical group from UCPA of Nassau County. Tuesday evening include a performance by comedian and motivational speaker Brett Leake and dancing to the music of "Universal Mind", a group of talented musicians from Aspire of Western New York. Mr. Leake, the first comedian with a disability to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, concluded the conference Wednesday morning with a light-hearted and inspirational presentation.