WORKFORCE AND STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH
WORKFORCE AND STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH
TRAID Program The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program provides assistive technology to New Yorkers with disabilities through Regional TRAID Centers. These centers provide device loans and hands-on training to people with disabilities. The Justice Center administers TRAID through grants from federal and state partners. TRAID Centers loan a variety of devices for use in different settings such as at home, school, or work. The 12 regional TRAID Centers provided 1,030 device demonstrations in 2025. A demonstration is conducted when staff members show individuals two or more similar devices so they can ask questions, compare specifications, and make an informed choice on what might work best for them. Individuals can then choose to borrow the devices to try them in real-world settings.
SDMC Program The Surrogate Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) is a volunteer-driven program supported by the staff at the Justice Center and contracted regional organizations. SDMC provides a personalized approach to medical decision-making for non-emergency major medical treatment and end-of-life care for qualified people with disabilities who are unable to give their own informed consent and do not have someone to do so for them. The first program of its kind in the country, SDMC has served as an alternative to the court system for such decisions for over 30 years. Instead of going to court for consent, a request for decision is submitted to SDMC and an online hearing is held with the person in need of services and those who support them, including a representative of Mental Hygiene Legal Service, who provide legal support. The SDMC panel asks questions about the person’s capacity, surrogate availability, and the proposed treatment and issues an informed decision on the request. SDMC has over 300 volunteers—including health care professionals, attorneys, family members of people with disabilities and advocates—spread across every county in the state. SDMC held over 800 proceedings in 2025 and served more than 700 individuals. SDMC is actively recruiting new volunteers. If you are interested in applying, click below.
3,000+ short-term assistive technology device loans provided by the TRAID centers
300 SDMC volunteers across every county in New York
700+ individuals served in 2025
The TRAID Centers provided 3,386 short-term assistive technology device loans in 2025. A short-term loan is typically for 60 days or less. This gives individuals the opportunity to try out a device before purchasing it and provides access to devices that may only be needed for a short period of time. If an individual needs a device for longer than 60 days, the TRAID Center can provide a long-term loan. The TRAID program receives donated devices from members of the community, which they clean and then provide to individuals who need them long-term. The TRAID Centers loaned 1,456 devices on a long-term basis this year. Because individuals are sometimes able to receive donated devices rather than spending money on a new one, the cost-savings for these New Yorkers totaled nearly $402,000 in 2025.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
A woman who had lived in a facility setting for many years started the process of transitioning into a community-based home. The TRAID Center worked with her support team to provide her with the necessary devices to help her live independently.
A regional TRAID Center loaned a wheelchair and bedside commode to a woman so she could return home safely following a stroke.
A parent contacted their local TRAID Center to obtain a posterior walker to help improve their child’s mobility. Following the device loan, the child’s independence and participation increased significantly.
2025 Annual Report 19
NYS JUSTICE CENTER 2025 Annual Report 18
NYS JUSTICE CENTER
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator