Assembly Resolution No. 562

BY: M. of A. Epstein

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
July 2023, as Disability Pride Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2023, as Disability
Pride Month in the State of New York, in honor of the passing of the
Americans with Disabilities Act in July of 1990; and

WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed by Congress
in 1990, enshrining the civil rights of people with disabilities by
prohibiting discrimination on the basis of a disability, committing to
greater accessibility in public spaces and requiring employers to
provide basic reasonable accommodations to ensure equality for all, no
matter your ability; and

WHEREAS, Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to honor the
heroic activism of disability rights organizers in paving the way for
the ADA and continuing the fight to ensure greater equity for people of
all abilities, with protests such as the Capital Crawl of 1990,
protesting for pedestrian ramps in New York City and many more
courageous moments of activism; and

WHEREAS, Disability Pride Month is also a time to amplify diverse
stories of New Yorkers with disabilities and their immense contributions
to our state as approximately 1 in 5 New Yorkers has a disability; and

WHEREAS, During Disability Pride Month we honor the experience of
every person with disabilities and their own unique experience, whether
they experience a physical, mental, invisible, undiagnosed or sensory
disability; and

WHEREAS, People with disabilities still continue to face
discrimination and struggle to have equal access to meaningful
employment, education and healthcare; and

WHEREAS, There is still a long way to go in supporting New Yorkers
with disabilities, from greater awareness to accessibility; Disability
Pride Month represents a commitment to create better accessibility
across public and virtual spaces for all individuals with disabilities;
and

WHEREAS, It is imperative to continue educating the public on the
historical activism and the unique stories of people with disabilities
and their incredible contributions to ensuring New York is an accessible
and equitable place for all New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2023, as Disability
Pride Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.