Contacts: Wendy McCarthy, Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY,
Email: [email protected], Cell: 585.794.0408
John Moscato, Person Centered Services,
Email: [email protected], Cell: 716.572.6408
NIAGARA FALLS, NY (April 8, 2025) – Registration is open to attend the 37th Annual Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day (DD DAY), a staple for the developmental disability community in Western New York hosted annually by the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY), featuring a wide variety of vendors, various interactive workshops and an award winning journalist, author, and screenwriter as
keynote speaker on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, 101 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303.
DD Day, the largest event of its kind in the United States, brings together advocates, industry connected vendors and suppliers, local and regional agencies, and leading experts to share, present and discuss a wide variety of topics of interest for those with developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers and others who support them throughout Western New York and Finger Lakes regions.
The keynote speaker is Keah Brown, an award-winning journalist, author, and screenwriter. She is the recipient of Ulta Beauty’s Muse 100 award, a celebration of 100 inspirational voices around beauty. She is one of The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2018. Keah is also the creator of the viral hashtag, #DisabledAndCute. Her work on disability, identity, and pop culture has appeared in Town & Country Magazine, Teen Vogue, Elle, The LA Times, Marie Claire UK, And The New York Times, among other publications. Her essay collection, The Pretty One, picture book, Sam’s Super Seats and a young adult novel
titled The Secret Summer Promise are out now.
People with disabilities, families, and professionals from across the region work together on DD Day to present a comprehensive, informative conference. Professionals from area agencies that specialize in services for people with developmental disabilities and similar health-related industries will be on site to provide workshops, guidance, literature, and general information about services and emerging trends.
The Niagara Convention Center is fully accessible. Ample parking options surround the Convention Center and parking will be discounted for city lots.
The conference is open from 8 am to 3 pm with a reception following from 3 to 5 pm. Vendors are available throughout the day, workshops are held during the morning and the keynote address is presented after lunch.
Tickets are $30 in advance to attend, $50 including lunch, and $35 at the door (no lunch). Online registration in advance is recommended.
Registration and other information is available online at https://ddawny.org/event/dd-day-of-2025-developmental-disability-awareness-day-conference/
This year, the presenting sponsor of DD Day is Intandem, which provides extraordinary services to people with developmental disabilities and a wide array of business services to Cattaraugus and Niagara counties.