Special Needs Advocate Diane Cahill

Diane Cahill is a seasoned special education advocate, skilled in all aspects of education advocacy on behalf of children and adults with autism and other disabilities.   Diane has spent more than two decades focusing on education, programs and services for individuals with special needs and their families. She has significant experience representing clients who have issues with the NYC Department of Education, NYS Department of Education, and the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and has represented clients in a multitude of aspects including acting as an educational advocate, community liaison, governmental relations professional, and facilitator.   With a proven track record when dealing with all aspects of the challenges facing those in the special needs community, especially related to Autism, she leads a seasoned team at the firm specialized in addressing the unique needs of the autism community and other disabilities.

Diane has been an advocate for children, adolescents with special needs and their families for more than two decades. Having worked in the field of autism as an outreach coordinator and community liaison for the Eden II / Genesis Programs in the New York region, Diane has gained the respect of the special needs community through her efforts to raise awareness and advocate for people with special needs. She supports increased funding for research, access to programs and services, and good health care. Through her efforts as a New York State Advocacy Chair for Autism Speaks and in her continued role as President of the Autism Coalition of Long Island, Diane was integral in New York State passing landmark autism insurance reform legislation that ended autism insurance discrimination in New York State. This past year, she furthered that accomplishment by assisting in getting the companion legislation for BCBA Licensure passed, so that the insurance mandate could provide behavior intervention services as intended.

Through her work at Gerstman Schwartz & Malito, she represents individuals and families through the screening and diagnosis process, working towards a meaningful IEP through CSE, advocating for appropriate services and placements, and guiding parents through the mediation and impartial hearing process. Diane calls upon her vast network of colleagues and experts, which enables her to provide the best possible outcomes for Gerstman Schwartz & Malito clients.

In addition, she works tirelessly to insure that good transition and vocational programs are developed in our state, by participating on regional panels and committees. She believes that each child is entitled to the opportunity to be as independent as possible as they approach adult services.  Diane is extremely passionate about the housing crisis in New York State for people with disabilities, working towards passing legislation to ensure that there is a bill of rights for individuals with disabilities and the creation of appropriate housing opportunities in the least restrictive environment, recognizing that a parents worst fear is what will happen to their child when they are gone. To further her dedication to the field of autism and individuals with special needs, Diane frequently testifies before government committees at the local, state and federal level, to keep the issues fresh in the minds of those elected to bring about effective change for the special needs community.

After college, Diane started her career working with two of the Long Island Region’s largest law firms, developing her talent for strategizing, problem solving, and mastering the complexities of business and government. Her career path then took her to work for the labor movement, with a focus on government relations and communications to advance efforts for workforce development, education, and post 9/11 efforts for incumbent and dislocated workers. Through this role, she created a regional Workforce Development Center in partnership with the AFL-CIO, and held the role of Executive Director for the Long Island Region, while holding seats on the regional Workforce Development Board in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and serving on the Nassau and Suffolk Boces External Review Boards. This center was the most successful of the five set up in New York State.   Diane has significant experience working with the US Department of Education, the NYS Education Department and the NYC Board of Education.

Diane continues to donate her expertise and time advocating for individuals with special needs in our communities. Through this role, she continues to raise awareness of issues related to education, healthcare, housing and family support with stakeholders. She advocates for increased funding for research, programs, services, education and healthcare, so that the lives of those she is entrusted to represent, to create lifelong support and independence for those living with a disability. Diane continues as a New York State Advocacy Chair for Autism Speaks, Executive Board Member of the Long Island Chapter of Autism Speaks, and as President of the Autism Coalition of Long Island, representing more than 35 regional groups and thousands of families. In 2014, Diane was named one of Long Island Business News’ Top 50 Women in Business.

You can contact Diane Cahill at (516) 880-8170 or by email at  dcahill@gothamgr.com