Enacts the New York commission for the deaf and hard of hearing act

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic2
• Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Patricia Fahy says this is needed

According to the American Community Survey, more than 2 million New Yorkers have some form of hearing loss. This bill seeks to create an executive level agency to improve how the state currently serves these New Yorkers. Many of our state's processes, ranging from public meetings to interactions with state agencies, are designed in non-accessible ways. In the past, interagency councils have convened to improve the state's accessibility, but no long-term body currently exists to expand on those efforts. New York can join many other states in increasing its commitment to being an accessible and open state to all of its residents by creating this agency, the New York Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The aim of this commission is to promote and advocate for New Yorkers who are deaf and hard of hearing. The commission will work to advance equality and opportunity in their lives; to enhance access to services and programs; and to advance the most effective policies in the state.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.