Programs and Agencies

You should not have to figure this all out alone.

Programs, agencies, and public systems can open doors, stall progress, or bury people in paperwork. For many people with disabilities, the hardest part is not the goal itself. It is navigating the system that claims to help.

Marijuana Advocacy Group Inc. helps people better understand the programs, agencies, and institutions that may affect their rights, opportunities, benefits, education, employment, and independence. We work to make confusing systems more understandable, more accountable, and more accessible.

Types of programs and agencies we may discuss

Vocational and employment programs

Programs that help with job readiness, training, career counseling, workplace access, self employment support, and other employment related services.

Disability services and accommodations systems

Agencies and institutions involved in accommodations, disability rights, access needs, and support services in education, work, and public life.

Education and workforce development programs

Schools, training providers, workforce programs, and related institutions that shape access to career paths and advancement.

Public benefit and support systems

Programs connected to independent living, financial support, case management, and related public services.

Regulatory and oversight bodies

Government agencies, public offices, and administrative systems that create rules, make determinations, handle complaints, or oversee public programs.

What we believe

Systems should serve people.
Programs should be accessible.
Agencies should be accountable.
Disability should never be treated like an inconvenience.
And nobody should have to become a legal scholar just to get a straight answer.

Government Programs

NY DOL

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is the state agency responsible for enforcing labor laws, protecting workers' rights, and managing unemployment benefits. It connects job seekers with opportunities, supports businesses with hiring, and regulates workplace safety and wages. Key services include career counseling, labor market data, and labor standard enforcement.

ACCES-VR

ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) is a New York State Education Department program that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment. It provides personalized services, including career planning, training, and job placement assistance, to support independent living and vocational success.

Small business development centers

Small Business Development Centers provide counseling and training to small businesses including working with SBA to develop and provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion.

Hempsteadworks

HempsteadWorks is a local career center in Hempstead, NY, operated by the Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources. It acts as a comprehensive resource for job seekers and businesses, offering career counseling, job readiness workshops, skill training, and recruitment services to Nassau County residents.

Non-profit Organizations

The Arc New York

The Arc New York believes in self-determination and self-advocacy. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.

Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York

CIDNY is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978. They are part of the Independent Living Centers movement: a national network of grassroots and community-based organizations that enhance opportunities for all people with disabilities to direct their own lives.

The Nicholas Center

The Nicholas Center (TNC) is a New York-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports autistic adults in living, learning, and working within their communities. It addresses the high unemployment rate among autistic individuals by providing vocational training, job placement, and social skill development, often partnering with its social enterprise, Spectrum Designs..

Best Buddies

Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in New York.