State Senate Announces Expanded Opportunities for New Yorkers With Disabilities

State Senate Announces Expanded Opportunities for New Yorkers With Disabilities

Albany, NY - State Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) announced the passage of a comprehensive package of legislation providing New Yorkers with disabilities expanded access to polling places, transportation and medical equipment, as well outlawing discriminatory practices in employment, housing and public services.

“This legislative package ensures that the disabled are afforded the same rights, opportunities and quality of life as all New Yorkers,”  Senator Valesky said. "Discrimination is not acceptable, and passage of this legisation is a step forward in ensuring equality in daily life for the disabled."

Legislation

Legislation passed by the senate includes bills that will expand polling locations that follow the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, equality in regards to public transportation and public entities, and stricter reimbursement regulations for insurance companies.      

The legislative package includes:

S7800: Ensures that housing protections offered to people with disabilities on the Federal level are also offered  and enforced on the State level.

S7482: Clarifies the scope of protections against discrimination on the basis of disability in services provided by public entities.

S713-A:  Requires insurance companies to respond within 30 days to a request for reimbursement for a wheelchair.

S2933 : Mandates that paratransit fares be no higher than fares for transportation of non-disabled adults.

S5029A: Requires polling places to comply with disability standards and train poll workers in disability etiquette, including ballot marking devices.

S7860: Expands the pool of available accessible polling places for people with disabilities.

S7329: Ensures the protection of individuals with disabilities under the human rights law.

S6819: Establishes the universal design incentive which reduces building permit fees for new construction or substantial alterations providing for accessible housing for persons with physical disabilities.

S7931: Designates the 18th of October as Disabilities History Day.

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