Assemblyman Pat Burke (D-Buffalo) announced that he helped pass a series of bills to strengthen the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities in recognition of this year’s Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, May 29.

“Far too often, people with disabilities are seen only for their disability. But these New Yorkers deserve the same opportunities given to everyone else, and it’s our job to make sure those opportunities are available. With this legislation, we’re helping New Yorkers gain independence and live on their own terms.”

This year’s legislative package has many measures to assist those with disabilities, including:

• re-establishing the Office of Advocate for People with Disabilities (A.4737);
• allowing state employees to sue if their rights are violated 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.1092);
• requiring public officers and bodies to provide interpreters and assistive listening devices for deaf or hard of hearing individuals at public hearings under certain conditions (A.3385-A);
• clarifying that “reasonable accommodation” to enable a person with a disability to use and enjoy a dwelling includes use of a service animal (A.7331);
• expanding the allowable maximum account balance for the New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) Program to help more New Yorkers with disabilities achieve financial security (A.7473);
• establishing a small-business tax credit for the employment of people with disabilities (A.7475), and;
• creating a tax credit for either new or retrofitted principal residences that are universally designed to be accessible or adaptable (A.2493).

“A disability shouldn’t hold back anyone from achieving a good life,” said Assemblyman Burke. “These measures will ensure people with disabilities are treated with fairness and dignity and have the accommodations they need to be successful.”