In honor of the Assembly’s annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced the passage of a series of measures to fight discrimination and strengthen protections for individuals with disabilities, helping to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

“As the parent of a daughter with disabilities, I understand the everyday challenges many families face trying to make sure their loved ones receive the support that they need,” said Assemblyman Stirpe. “The Assembly’s legislation will help to make our state more inclusive and ensure that all individuals can lead quality independent lives.”

The Assembly’s legislative package includes measures that do the following:

• improve public accessibility by requiring that state or local governments remove barriers in existing structures, vehicles or rail passenger cars unless the removal would constitute an undue burden (A.136-A);
• require that the services of sign-language interpreters be made available at public hearings and meetings upon request, so hearing-impaired individuals can fully participate in discussions (A.1669-A);
• enable blind and visually impaired voters to request Braille or large-print absentee ballots for elections administered under the election and education laws allowing them to vote independently (A.2104-A);
• ensure consideration of a treating physician’s opinion in determining work limitations due to a disability or health issue that might affect the individual’s compliance with public assistance work requirements (A.3450);
• help service-disabled veterans returning from military duty access the resources they need by establishing the New York State Interagency Coordinating Council for Service-Disabled Veterans (A.4789); and
• ensure equal protection for all New York State employees under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (A.5388).

“All individuals deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity,” said Assemblyman Stirpe. “With the passage of this legislation, the Assembly is taking a critical step toward guaranteeing that all New Yorkers are afforded that opportunity.”