Assembly adopts resolution asking Gov. Hochul to proclaim May 8, 2025, Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

The New York State Assembly on May 8, 2025, adopted Assembly Resolution 455 memorializing Gov. Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 8, 2025, as New York State Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day.

Assemblymember Santa Barbara, chair of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, introducing the measure said, “This day is more than symbolic. It's a reflection of our values as a legislative body. It's a reminder that inclusion, empowerment, and equal opportunity must be at the heart of our work.”

The resolution was taken up on the Assembly floor after a series of ceremonial introductions of advocacy groups and community delegations. Members emphasized the role of people with disabilities across the state in schools, workplaces and civic life and urged continued legislative work.

In remarks supporting the resolution, Assemblymember Anderson said he spoke both as a legislator and “as an individual that identifies with a disability,” and thanked local organizations in his district that serve people with autism. Assemblymember Burdick, a member of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, said the Assembly has made progress but “much more needs to be done.” Assemblymember People Stokes also praised statewide advocates and singled out the West New York Independent Living Center for work in her district.

Santa Barbara told colleagues the Assembly is “advancing a legislative package that reflects the concerns of the disability community,” and said the bills address “access, inclusion, workforce support, and quality of care.” The transcript and floor remarks did not specify bill numbers or the package’s legislative timetable.

After floor debate and recognition of advocacy organizations, the Assembly adopted the resolution by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded on the floor transcript. The clerk announced the resolution as adopted.

Guests acknowledged during the proceedings included youth from Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region and delegations representing Nepali community organizations from across the state. Committee members also introduced family and peer advocates: Katie Fave, state lead for the New York State Alliance for Developmental Disabilities; Shannon Levine, a disability advocate; and Simca Weinstein, identified on the floor as a family peer advocate.

The Assembly also announced committee meetings slated for the day (Ways and Means and Rules) related to the pending state budget, but no budget actions were taken on the floor in connection with this resolution.

The resolution asks the governor to issue a formal proclamation for May 8, 2025. Members said the day is intended to raise awareness and help advance policy work on disability inclusion, but the resolution itself does not enact funding or new legal requirements.