Senate Resolution No. 308

BY: Senator GOUNARDES

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 8, 2023, as Students with Disabilities
Advocacy Day in the State of New York

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

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long- standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 8, 2023, as
Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Students with Disabilities Day is a campaign which raises
awareness about the need for removing barriers to key reasonable
accommodations and support services that promote access and success for
students with disabilities, who attend public and private institutes of
higher education in New York State at increasingly higher rates; and

WHEREAS, Our great Empire State has a history of excellence in
education and values providing educational opportunities to students
with diverse backgrounds; students with disabilities contribute greatly
to New York State's colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, According to the New York State Education Department, as of
late last fall there were nearly 86,040 identified students with
disabilities attending New York State degree-granting colleges and
universities; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that these institutes of higher learning
are provided with the necessary resources to empower students with
disabilities and help them achieve academically and beyond; and

WHEREAS, New Yorkers with disabilities, like all New Yorkers, are
entitled to not only full participation in our society, but also full
opportunity in our society; their talents and contributions are vital to
the strength of our State's workforce and our future prosperity; and

WHEREAS, Together, we can ensure persons living with disabilities
are provided key reasonable accommodations and support services that
promote access and success while attending public and private institutes
of higher education in New York State; and

WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to recognize the
achievements which have been made thus far, and to continue these
efforts by promoting the awareness and fostering the understanding of
persons with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 8, 2023, as
Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day 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.