Page Introduction
This page is a continuation of the New York State Disability Histroy Timeline Exhibit with specific information about the 1990s.
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1990s
The 1990s were marked by the continued closure of New York State developmental centers, with the goal of having them all closed by the year 2000. A total of 7 institutions are closed across New York State. The Americans with Disabilities Act, one of the most significant pieces of legislation, is signed into law. The New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) steps up plans to supply more community-based services and to decrease the number of individuals on waiting lists for placement in residential housing in New York State.
1990
OMRDD: Elin M. Howe becomes 5th Commissioner for the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (1990-1993).
1990
President George H. W. Bush signs the "Americans with Disabilities Act" into law. The act guarantees people with disabilities the same rights to employment and access to public facilities as other citizens.
1990
Wheelchair lifts required on public transit busses is issued by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Samuel Skinner which were regulations implementing the 1970-Urban Mass Transit Act which required lifts on new busses. It took 20 years to enforce the regulation.
1991
Governor Mario Cuomo called on NYS OMRDD to devise a plan to close remaining institutions by the year 2000.
1991
The Self Advocacy Association of NYS holds its first statewide seminar, emphasizing the maturity and continued expansion of the self-advocacy movement across the State.
1991
Newark Developmental Center Opened 1878 Closed July 16,1991
1991
Health Care Financing Administration approves NYS’s application for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver allowing individuals with disabilities to receive certain Medicaid-funded services while living in the community. The Waiver became a central component of the Individualized Service Plan, case management and other parts of person-centered planning in NYS. It was introduced as a pilot program in the JN Adam, Letchworth, Long Island and Wassaic Developmental Disabilities Service Offices.
1991
Manhattan Developmental Center Closed December 31,1991
1992
Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Public Accommodations passed by U.S. Congress requiring privately owned businesses to provide access for customers with disabilities.
1992
Bronx Developmental Center Closed December 8,1992
1992
New York City sued for failing to provide emergency Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) services in violation of Americans with Disabilities Act.
1993
J.N. Adam Developmental Center Opened 1960 Closed April 29,1993
1993
OMRDD: Thomas A. Maul becomes 6th Commissioner for the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (1993-2006).
1993
William J. Clinton becomes President (1993-2001).
1993
Long Island Developmental Center Opened1965 Closed June 10,1993
1993
New York State Independent Living Council established in response to the amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1992. The agency is separate from any state agency, operating as a not-for-profit organization with an independent board of directors.
1994
|Center for Intensive Treatment opens on the campus of Sunmount Developmental Center in Tupper Lake NY. The treatment program provides clinical services for the disabled ranging from basic life skills to intense sex-offender therapy and relapse prevention services.
1995
George E. Pataki begins first of 4 terms as Governor of New York State (1995-2006).
1996
Letchworth Village Developmental Center Opened1911 Closed June 5,1996
1996
Governor Pataki signs the Medicaid Managed Care Bill during a ceremony at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. The legislation gives NYS the authority to implement a statewide, mandatory Medicaid Managed–Care Program and makes NY the first state in the nation to provide special managed care plans for those with HIV or serious mental illnesses.
1997
Governor Pataki announces "Hate Crimes Act of 1997." Victims of hate crimes are intentionally selected in whole or in part because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, sexual orientation and/or disability.
1997
Pataki offers a nine-point plan to preserve rent law protections for every senior citizen and every individual with a disability regardless of income.
1997
Pataki signs into law a package of bills that provided a tax credit for businesses who employ persons with disabilities and ensures reasonable accommodations in the workplace for New Yorkers with disabilities.
1998
Syracuse Developmental Center Opened 1854 Closed June 17,1998
1998
New York State Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments and Services (NYS-CARES). This plan was prompted by the need to provide housing for thousands of individuals with disabilities still on waiting lists, some of whom were also homeless, living on the streets or in shelters.
1998
Pataki signs Senate Bill #7072 into law as chapter 33d2 of the Laws of 1998. The new law allows students who are disabled as defined by the 1990 Federal Americans with Disabilities Act to receive tuition assistance program payments regardless of full or part-time status.
1999
Humanitarian Award from New York State Association for Retarded Citizens, Inc. presented to NYS Governor Pataki. The award recognizes individuals who contribute to the lives of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
1999
Pataki signs a law strengthening the penalty for intentionally harming a guide dog or other animals used to assist people with disabilities. The law requires those convicted of this crime to pay restitution to the owner and serve jail time if the court deems it necessary.