K 744: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, as Disability Pride Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 744 BY: M. of A. Epstein MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2025, 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 2025, 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 2025, 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.