Committee on Disabilities

This bill would require the New York City Department of Health (DOHMH) to create a disability competency and accessibility training program, as well as educational resources for health care providers and patients regarding disability-related health care access rights, accommodations, and available city resources for New Yorkers with disabilities. The training would be designed to help health care providers learn disability-inclusive practices and strategies for helping disabled New Yorkers receive care. DOHMH would be required to offer trainings to health care providers employed by New York City Health + Hospitals, share any educational resources developed on the DOHMH website, and report on the progress of the training program.

This bill would require that the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development, develop and implement a pilot program to establish incubator sites that will provide training, guidance, and resources for individuals with disabilities who own or are interested in owning a business, as well as raise awareness about the business incubator pilot program. The bill would also make clear that SBS has primary responsibility for workforce development for people with disabilities.

This bill would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in consultation with the Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), to develop guidance and a public education campaign on service animal access in places of public accommodation. The guidance would cover what qualifies as a service animal, how service animals differ from emotional support animals, the obligations of businesses and other public accommodations under the law, and how to file a complaint when someone is denied access. The agencies would also be required to create informational pamphlets for service animal users and for businesses, as well as model signage indicating that service animals are welcome. All materials would be posted online in the designated citywide languages and in accessible formats, and would be reviewed and updated at least once every three years.

This bill would create a film, television, and theater accessibility fund administered by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development. Through this fund, MOME would award grants to film, television, and theater productions that commit to hiring and accommodating persons with disabilities, including through the engagement of production access coordinators. MOME would also provide resources and guidance to productions, collect and analyze data on disability employment in the industry, and share best practices. In addition, the bill requires MOME to post information about the fund on its website, and submit an annual report detailing how grant money was used, the number of persons with disabilities hired by each production, and other information relevant to evaluating the fund’s effectiveness.