Other Agency Initiatives

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City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)

The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) works every day to uphold the City's Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach. The Commission’s goal is to address both historic and current inequities and to help create a city where everyone can live, work, and thrive free from discrimination.

Through trainings, educational programs, and policy initiatives, the Commission works to root out discriminatory practices. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination by testing employers, housing providers, and places of public accommodation. It also relies on investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations when they arise.

Anyone who believes they are experiencing disability discrimination-or who is not being provided a reasonable accommodation in the workplace, in housing, or in public accommodations-can contact CCHR by visiting nyc.gov/humanrights or calling (212) 416-0197.

The Commission educates the public about disability rights through workshops and community programming. It offers a dedicated training on the NYC Human Rights Law and protections for people with disabilities and regularly highlights disability rights in general human rights presentations.

CCHR continues to maintain and update guidance on disability discrimination, including clarifying discriminatory policies and practices, explaining how to engage in a cooperative dialogue as required by the NYC Human Rights Law, outlining best practices for assessing and providing reasonable accommodations, and offering examples of accommodations. The guidance also explains that the NYC Human Rights Law defines disability discrimination more broadly than state or federal law and outlines how the Commission interprets and enforces those protections.

The core principles of the City's protections against disability discrimination include:

• Housing providers, employers, and business owners must offer modifications or accommodations in their policies or physical spaces to ensure people with disabilities have equal access and rights.
• These entities are generally responsible for covering the cost of modifications or accommodations.
• Even if someone already complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, they must still meet NYC Human Rights Law requirements and provide accommodations tailored to an individual's needs, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship under the law.
• Service animals, which are trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities, must be allowed in any area open to the public. They do not need to wear special vests, carry licenses, or otherwise visually identify themselves as service animals.
• Housing providers, employers, and business owners are required to engage in a cooperative dialogue–an individualized, good-faith conversation–with a person with a disability to determine what accommodations can be provided.

Access to accommodations in housing can be a life-or-death matter for many New Yorkers with disabilities. That is why CCHR intervenes as early as possible when it learns of alleged discriminatory conduct. Through Project Equal Access, the Commission provides pre-complaint intervention and works with housing providers and places of public accommodation make their facilities accessible. This work includes identifying where ramps should be installed, determining needed bathroom renovations, adding electronic doors, grab bars and handrails, and training staff on how to accommodate people with disabilities. In Fiscal Year 2025, CCHR secured 61 accessibility modifications without needing to file a formal complaint.

CCHR investigates discrimination claims filed by the public and can secure accommodations, monetary damages, and other forms of relief. In Fiscal Year 2025, disability discrimination was the most common type of claim filed with the Commission, totaling 131 claims (67 in employment, 46 in housing, 16 in public accommodations, and 2 involving discriminatory harassment). 

The Commission has the authority to impose fines and obtain monetary damages for individuals harmed by violations of the Human Rights Law. It can also negotiate additional remedies, including reasonable accommodations, policy changes, training, rehiring, and accessibility modifications.

Under Commissioner Palma's leadership, CCHR continues to advance disability rights through strong partnerships with the Bronx Borough President's Disability Advisory Council, Disability Unite, and Centers for Independent Living. The Commission hosts multilingual trainings and co-sponsors the annual Disability Unite Festival in Central Park. Together, these efforts help ensure that people with disabilities can access protections and city resources in inclusive and welcoming spaces.

Sanitation

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City clean, safe, and healthy by collecting, recycling, and disposing of waste; cleaning streets; and clearing snow and ice. Since 2022, DSNY has implemented numerous initiatives to improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers, including mandating new waste set-out times and waste containerization for residences with one to nine units. DSNY has also mandated that all residents separate compostable materials from their other waste. Throughout this period, DSNY has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that its services are accessible to persons with disabilities, by continuing and expanding its accessibility initiatives.

Since 2022, DSNY has continued to accept requests for assistance with disposal of large or hazardous objects.

DSNY has likewise continued to assign Emergency Snow Shovelers and/or Sanitation Workers to clear bus stops and pedestrian ramps when necessary after a snow event. DSNY also clears pathways to accessible pedestrian signals to ensure that pedestrians who are blind or have low vision can safely cross the street.

The Residential Waste Containerization program became effective on November 12, 2024, and requires that all properties with one to nine units place waste materials for collection in bins with secure lids. Since April 1, 2025, all residents must also separate compostable materials from their trash.

DSNY released the NYC Bin for purchase beginning in the Fall of 2024. The NYC Bin is the official bin for properties with up to nine residential units to set out their trash. The NYC Bin was designed with accessibility in mind, featuring wheels, and is available in various sizes. To further assist residents with disabilities, DSNY developed and released a 25-gallon NYC Bin in Spring 2025, which can be used by residents who cannot physically move a larger bin on their own and do not have other assistance.

Following the implementation of the new containerization and compost requirements, DSNY has also assisted people with disabilities by approving numerous requests from residents to place waste, recycling, and compost materials at the curb before the mandated 6:00 PM set-out time. These set-out time modifications provide additional time for residents to get assistance from others with placing out their materials. To make a request for a waste set-out time modification, a resident can fill out the online form found at the following link: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/forms/disability-services. Residents can also contact 311 or call DSNY’s Customer Service Unit, who will forward the request to DSNY’s Disability Services Facilitator.

DSNY has engaged in targeted outreach to inform NYC residents about its accessibility initiatives. In 2024 and 2025 alone, DSNY presented at community board meetings in all 59 NYC districts, canvassed and had door-to-door conversations at over 62,000 different buildings regarding the new rules and waste set-out time options; and conducted over 30 online information sessions with more than 2,000 attendees.

NYPD

AccessibleNYPD outlines the concrete steps the NYPD has undertaken and will continue to implement, to ensure that its services, programs, and activities are fully accessible. The NYPD and its personnel affirm that ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities is fundamental to exemplary customer service, enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers, and promoting effective governance. A dedicated inter-bureau working group within the NYPD convenes regularly to oversee the remedial measures and proactive strategies outlined in this plan.

New York City's five boroughs are organized into eight NYPD patrol boroughs: Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Patrol Borough Bronx, Patrol Borough Manhattan North, Patrol Borough Manhattan South, Patrol Borough Queens North, Patrol Borough Queens South, and Patrol Borough Staten Island. Within these patrol boroughs, the NYPD maintains and operates 78 precinct stationhouses.

The AccessibleNYPD plan is informed by a thorough review of the NYPD’s programs and services. This includes internal surveys of precinct stationhouses and detailed architectural accessibility assessments of numerous facilities conducted by two independent architectural firms. Two newly constructed stationhouses are fully ADA-compliant: the 116th Precinct stationhouse, which opened to the public on December 18, 2024, and the 40th Precinct stationhouse, which opened on November 20, 2024, incorporate essential accessibility features, including elevators, ramps, and accessible travel routes, ensuring equitable access for all individuals. Remediation efforts are currently focused on a total of 16 strategically identified designated hub sites distributed throughout the five boroughs, which the NYPD aims to make fully accessible for public interaction and arrest processing. Full accessibility for these hub sites is projected for completion by 2029. During the transitional period, these hub sites will serve as crucial accessible resources while the remaining stationhouses undergo upgrades to achieve full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In instances where officers from non- compliant stationhouses encounter individuals requiring accessibility accommodations for services, programs, or arrest processing, these designated hub locations will provide the necessary accessible facilities.

Below are the 16 hub sites:

• Bronx – 48th & 50th Precincts
• Brooklyn North – 83rd & 90th Precincts
• Brooklyn South – 61th & 67st Precincts
• Manhattan North – 25th, 30th, & Central Park Precincts
• Manhattan South – 7th & 13th Precincts
• Queens North – 112th & 114th Precincts
• Queens South – 105th & 107th Precincts
• Staten Island – 121st Precinct

The New York City Police Department is resolute in its commitment to ensuring equitable and seamless access to all its services, programs, and activities for every member of the public. Guided by the principles of inclusivity, the NYPD established AccessibleNYPD to proactively address and eliminate barriers within its facilities citywide. The NYPD has instituted robust internal mechanisms for the continuous monitoring and strategic remediation of existing infrastructure. This is complemented by the development of progressive policies and the provision of comprehensive training for all personnel on disability rights and accessibility obligations. Its revised use-of-force policy now explicitly directs officers to ask themselves whether a person’s apparent noncompliance might be caused by a medical issue, mental-health condition, developmental disability, or physical limitation. At the Police Academy, recruits receive training on interacting with people with disabilities, including people with autism spectrum disorder as required by Local Law 53 of 2023. NYPD employees receive training through multiple methods, including, but not limited to, roll call trainings, command level trainings, promotional trainings, publications distributed by email and/or Department intranet, and videos. Through these comprehensive initiatives and steadfast dedication to accessibility, the NYPD remains committed to serving all New Yorkers with dignity and respect, ensuring that every interaction upholds the NYPD’s promise of equal protection and service for all communities.

Emergency Management

Emergency Planning and Preparedness

Below are a few of the many ways the City has expanded its emergency preparedness and response capabilities in recent years to better serve people with disabilities before, during, and after emergencies. These efforts are led by NYC Emergency Management (formerly the Office of Emergency Management), with MOPD playing a critical advisory and supportive role.

Emergency Communications

NYCEM continues to use its Accessible Communication Policy at Hurricane Evacuation Centers and its other accessible shelters and Service Centers. The policy outlines clear procedures for staff at these locations to accommodate the communications needs of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision. The policy has been paired with an Accessible Communication Protocol regarding its implementation during all shelter and service center operations in support of the City’s commitment to equitable and effective communication in its public-facing programs during emergencies.

NYCEM continues to use Nixle, a communication platform that enables public safety agencies to share timely and relevant information with New York City residents and other stakeholders. Nixle has provided a useful additional platform for supporting outreach to the public regarding evolving emergencies across the five boroughs of New York City.

Moreover, NYCEM has expanded Nixle functionality to provide a more localized and targeted communication down to the precinct and community board levels with real time updates on such items as localized disruptions to roadways and public transportation as well as activity involving the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and New York City Police Department (NYPD). The goal of this initiative is to improve the geographic precision and relevance of alerts to members of the communities within the affected areas.

NYCEM continues to improve its emergency communication and preparedness initiatives. It provided comments on the development of the federally managed Multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system, a federal managed program which operated in conjunction with localities, to deliver geographically targeted alerts to mobile devices. The system will expand nation-wide by mid-2027 to support the 13 most spoken languages in the United States, including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), French, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. In addition, American Sign Language ASL is made available through form-filled video templates to provide accessibility for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Additionally, NYCEM continues to use its Advance Warning System (AWS) website and grew the list of subscribers to approximately 6000. AWS alerts are being updated to provide enhanced guidance for DAFN service providers. Alerts will include a clear call to action tailored to the service provider audience, along with hazard-specific action items, conversation templates for client outreach, and reminders for clients who may need extra support (such as, those with service animals or pets, people on dialysis, or those receiving home meal deliveries).

Digital Accessibility

In alignment with the city-wide goals of equity, inclusion and accessibility, NYCEM has appointed a Digital Inclusion Officer (DIO) to oversee the accessibility of both internally and externally facing documents. The agency DIO is responsible for identifying relevant digital assets and has developed a three-year strategic plan to make those assets accessible. The Digital Inclusion Officer will work to ensure that NYCEM digital communications are inclusive, accessible and user-friendly to all New Yorkers, especially individuals with communication-related disabilities who may have limited access to websites and other digitized documents.

NYCEM Language Access & Notify NYC

Notify NYC, the city’s emergency alert system, currently provides notifications in all 13 WEA Languages, in addition to American Sign Language.

In 2024, NYCEM launched its first citywide multilingual mailer campaign, encouraging residents to sign up for Notify NYC alerts in their preferred language. This campaign aims to broaden inclusivity as it fosters a culture of preparedness among diverse New York City residents, irrespective of language or background, to increase access to essential information, so residents can make decisions and respond effectively during emergencies.

Community Engagement

NYCEM’s Community Engagement Unit initiatives include a program called Strengthening Communities, which engages emergency preparedness organizations operating at the community level. Participating groups have been trained and provided various forms of assistance. They made notable progress in addressing a compressive range of community needs, in tandem with Community Engagement staff.

Through Strengthening Communities and other initiatives, NYCEM has increased its focus on promoting grant opportunities to expand community-based organizations’ access to funding opportunities. From its inception, NYCEM has recruited organizations that directly serve individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into Strengthening Communities, ensuring that disability inclusion, and inclusion of others with access and functional needs, reflecting NYCEM’s continuing commitment to inclusive emergency preparedness and deeper collaboration with organizations that support individuals with disabilities, accessibility and functional needs.

Ready NY Program

NYCEM’s Ready NY Program is designed to help all New Yorkers, including individuals with disabilities, accessibility and functional needs, by providing guidance on effective emergency planning and preparedness, including specific guidance on gathering supplies and creating Go Bags to have ready in the event of an emergency.

NYCEM as the coordinating agency for citywide emergency response continues to prioritize inclusive preparedness by incorporating Disability, Accessibility and Functional Needs (DAFN) considerations into its exercises.

NYCEM leads regular functional and tabletop exercises across Emergency Support Functions to test key components of the Coastal Storm Plan, including evacuation procedures, sheltering operations, and communication strategies. Recent activities included a no-notice drill simulating a building collapse, which tested rapid mobilization and interagency coordination while incorporating DAFN considerations such as accessible emergency alerts, evacuation support, and onsite services. A dedicated exercise for Language Access Coordinators, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, focused on equitable communication during emergencies, ensuring DAFN language access through accessible formats. The Recovery Working Group held an interagency exercise centered on post-disaster recovery, addressing long-term housing, social services, and accessible rebuilding with DAFN needs integrated into planning efforts. In addition, the City Hall Functional Exercise Series facilitated three interagency exercises aimed at enhancing citywide learning and testing high-level decision-making, with a strong emphasis on inclusive governance and continuity of operations that support DAFN communities.

Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency

NYCEM continues to advance its commitment to embedding equitable considerations into its short, medium- and long-term recovery operations and has enhanced its suite of analytical recovery tools to support city agencies and the public when identifying risks and understanding the greater challenges impacting underserved communities.

NYCEM continues to advance inclusive planning and equitable delivery of services to communities that are at high risk from climate related hazards and other emergencies situations.

Recent updates include the following:

• Targeted Climate Outreach: NYCEM conducted targeted outreach to climate- vulnerable communities to help support residents during extreme heat events, aligning with the City’s broader climate resistance goals.
• Hazard Mitigation & Risk Communications: NYCEM leads the design of the NYC Risk Landscape, Reduce Your Risk guide, and the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. Collectively, these efforts aim to identify hazards and develop strategies for long term mitigation. All materials are developed with built-in accessibility, which is guided by an inclusive design process beginning at the Request for Proposal stage, and continuing with developments of Scope of Work, and implementation stages of mitigation efforts.
• DAFN Integration: The Hazard Mitigation Plan formally includes Disability, Accessibility and Functional Needs (DAFN) into its methodology to ensure a full understanding of New York City social and physical to identify key risk factors and support responsive mitigation planning.
• Inclusive Engagement Methods: NYCEM regularly engages with agency representatives and diverse stakeholders, including those with disabilities, for input into its plan development and execution, via a variety of means, including Teams, email and in-person meetings, educational sessions and site-visits. NYCEM is committed to continuously testing and adopting tools that improve coordination and accessibility.

Disaster Law Symposium

In November 2025, NYCEM hosted a Disaster Law Symposium, which convened legal and policy professionals to examine legal frameworks, ethical questions, and interagency coordination challenges that arise during crises. The symposium featured opening remarks by MOPD Commissioner Curry and a session entitled Invisible Disabilities and Disaster Law that featured Howard Rosenblum, Founder and CEO of Deaf Equality Now and New York State Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon as panelists.

Campaign Finance Board

Progress Made 2022-2025

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) continues to make advancements in the accessibility of services and information across all aspects of city elections. As the agency works toward a more inclusive experience, the CFB receives valuable guidance from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, as well as from members of the public who attend agency events and use agency services.

From 2022 through 2025, the CFB has expanded accessibility efforts beyond public hearings. Requests for American Sign Language Interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services have increased significantly, so the agency’s Language Access and Accessibility teams work to provide these services to as many events as possible. Given the importance of offering voter materials in accessible formats, the CFB has contracted a print vendor to produce and print its voter guides and materials in large print and braille formats.

In 2023, the CFB launched a fully accessible voter-facing website, allowing voters to access essential voter information and accessible ballot instructions. Another key development in accessible information sharing is the agency’s plan to include captions and audio descriptions on all videos related to the Matching Funds Program starting in 2026.

The CFB is expanding the accessibility of the agency’s Language Access offerings. The Language Access team provides all public-facing materials in 13 languages, as well as in large print and braille, so all New Yorkers can have access to print or digital materials in their preferred language. The team follows the Language Access Implementation Plan (LAIP), developed in consultation with the agency’s Strategy, Policy and Innovation division; the LAIP outlines a clear structure, vision, and goals for current and future language access services. The LAIP is posted publicly on CFB’s Accessibility and Language Access page.

The CFB maintains that representation, lived experience, and proper expertise are of critical importance. In 2022, the agency hired a Disability Outreach coordinator to communicate directly with the disability community, establish trust, and deliver accessible voter education. In 2024, the agency hired an Accessibility Specialist to lead and carry out a 5-Year Accessibility Plan, provide expertise for implementing accessibility practices, and equip employees with the tools and knowledge needed to learn about, innovate, and maintain accessibility. Through these staff additions, the agency has seen marked growth in both representation and feedback from the disability community.

Ongoing Work and Future Goals

While the CFB has made great strides over the last four years, there is still important work to do. The agency’s Candidate and Committee Services team has initiated the process of making all candidate campaign materials more accessible. This entails an audit of the language and accessibility of all documentation required for campaigns, as well as the need for information committees to be compliant with accessibility standards and reach a wider audience. The CFB’s main website requires accessibility improvements, which will be addressed via the commission of a digital accessibility audit to be completed by next year.

Finally, the creation and implementation of the CFB’s 5-Year Accessibility Plan will guide the agency’s future efforts. This process was developed through a cross-collaborative process commissioned by MOPD and allowed the identification of areas needed to improve accessibility at the CFB and within the NYC Votes Program. The plan is divided into five sections, defined by the access need: Digital, Physical, Programmatic, Effective Communication, and Workplace Inclusion. The plan was opened for public review and received important feedback and suggestions which will help the agency strengthen the plan and align it with best practices. To read the 5-Year Accessibility Plan and annual updates on implementation goals, please visit CFB’s Accessibility and Language Access page.

Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)

Education for Human Services Providers

The New York Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations (CBOs) and programs to alleviate the effects of poverty. DYCD contracts with CBOs to provide a wide range of programs, including afterschool, workforce, and community development programs. DYCD recognizes the important contribution that these organizations make to the wellbeing of NYC’s communities. DYCD provides capacity building to these organizations to foster continuous improvement. In 2024, DYCD expanded capacity building offerings to enhance approaches to advancing equity. This included providing training on accessibility. DYCD provided training to CBOs on how to make programs accessible; hands-on workshops to enhance plans and strategies to be inclusive of a wide variety of learners. Virtual training was also developed on accessibility and accommodations to design spaces that are inclusive of participants with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.

Youth Services Division

All DYCD-funded programs serve youth with disabilities. Some of DYCD’s programs are funded specifically to serve students with disabilities, and DYCD also funds organizations which specialize in serving youth with disabilities. DYCD created a Disability Resource Guide to help CBO staff, youth and families access support in a range of areas, from education and housing, mental health and professional development. The COMPASS after-school program in NYC has a specific focus on including youth with disabilities. While the general COMPASS program offers after-school care and enrichment activities for all students, there's a growing movement to ensure it is universally accessible and inclusive of all students, including those with disabilities.

For example: 

• Summer Rising: The major initiative is a collaboration between NYCPS and DYCD to provide free, full-day summer programming for students in grades K-8. It combines academic instructions led by NYCPS staff with enrichment activities facilitated by DYCD-funded community-based organizations (CBOs). It also includes training which facilitates escalation processes; regular meetings to address challenges and opportunities.
• COMPASS After School: COMPASS after school does the Section 504 process, which involves identifying students with disabilities who may need accommodation to succeed in school, conducting evaluations to determine eligibility, and developing a 504 plan with appropriate supports. 

You can read about other work of DYCD in the Employment and Financial Empowerment section of this report.

Public Benefits

Reasonable Accommodations

Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and Human Resources Administration (HRA) applicants and clients with disabilities can request Reasonable Accommodations (RAs) to help them access and maintain their benefits and services. A Reasonable Accommodation is a change or exception to a rule, policy, or practice that removes disability-related barriers to services. These accommodations help ensure access to essential supports, such as Cash Assistance, SNAP, housing placements, and other programs administered by HRA and DHS.

Clients can request a Reasonable Accommodation through any of the following methods:

• By completing and submitting the HRA-102c Request for a Reasonable Accommodation found here: Disability Access - HRA
• By informing an HRA staff person at their Center
• By contacting the Office of Constituent Services via email or by phone.
• Email: constituentaffairs@dss.nyc.gov
• Phone: Call the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399. After selecting a language, press “2” to reach then main menu and then press “5” to ask for help with a Reasonable Accommodation request.

Once a request is submitted, it is reviewed based on the type of accommodation being requested. For clients who indicate they are clinically unable to travel, the next step is an evaluation for Home Visit Needed (HVN) status—a specific type of accommodation that enables eligible clients to receive services without visiting an HRA location in person.

HRA’s centralized Home Visit Needed (HVN) Center provides home visits and processes applications and re-certifications for those that are unable to come into a Center due to an illness or disability. Staff provides outreach to eligible HRA applicants and clients, and tracks and monitors cases to ensure that vulnerable populations can access and maintain their benefits. Applicants and clients are able to schedule Home Visit appointments directly through HRA’s Office of Constituent Services by calling 718-557-1399. Additionally, HRA’s Homebound Assessment and Referral Unit (HARU) provides individualized services that are centered on the needs of applicants and participants as needed.

Plain Language

HRA continues to review all of its public-facing notices for Plain Language in order to improve readability for everyone, including people with cognitive and learning disabilities. Additionally, all new notices are developed with a Plain Language lens aimed at ensuring readability and accessibility across all of HRA’s public facing notices.

Access HRA

HRA continues to leverage technology to increase access and make it easier for people with disabilities to apply and maintain their public benefits. Through Access HRA, a free, online-accessible portal with a companion mobile app, many people with disabilities have been able to apply for benefits and manage their cases without having to call HRA or come to a Center in person.

With Access HRA, through secure user accounts, clients can apply for a range of benefits including Cash Assistance (with Emergency Assistance), SNAP, Medicaid for older adults and people living with a disability, including those who are blind, HEAP, and Fair Fares NYC. They can also recertify or renew benefits for Cash Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid for individuals who are aging, living with a disability, or blind, as well as Fair Fares and CityFHEPS. Clients have the ability to submit case changes or request case closures for Cash Assistance and SNAP, request child care as part of their Cash Assistance case, read notices online or opt in to paperless delivery, and view payment information, case status, appointments, and other case details. Additionally, they can request budget letters for Cash Assistance or SNAP, request Medicaid coverage letters for older adults and people with disabilities (including blindness), and—via the mobile app—submit child support referrals or enrollments and make child support payments.

They can also instantly download a statement of benefits letter to show proof of receiving HRA benefits, receive SMS notifications of upcoming appointments, and upload documents electronically for all case types—including SNAP, Cash Assistance, Fair Fares NYC, Medicaid, HEAP, and Child Support—by taking a photo or selecting an image from their device’s gallery using the ACCESS HRA mobile app. With a client’s consent, HRA’s Access HRA Provider Portal allows partnering organizations to view real-time case information. Currently, over 300 community-based organizations are using the site to help clients with their cases.

For notices available on Access HRA, clients can use the site’s accessible features to read or listen to their notices. HRA is continuing its robocall program to let people who are blind or have low vision know that their Medicaid renewal or surplus payment is due, inform them that HRA can assist them by reading their recertification over the phone, arrange an appointment at a Medicaid center, or arrange home visits.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Generally, HRA’s SNAP On-Demand is a way for clients to complete a SNAP eligibility interview during their recertification or application period. This allows clients to call HRA during business hours for their interview at a time most convenient for them, which gives clients more flexibility while applying or recertifying for SNAP. Additionally, cases where adults in the household are aged 60 and over or have a disability and have no earned income are encouraged to use the SNAP simplified form (which consists of only two pages) when applying or recertifying for benefits. For applicants using this form an interview will still be required, however, for recertifying clients no interview is required unless the participant wishes to have an interview. Lastly, for older adults and people with disabilities who have no earned income and no changes to their household size, they can also recertify by answering questions on a simple, automatic system over the phone, which is faster and easier than any other method of recertification.

SNAP applicants and recipients also benefit from regulations that allow community organizations to serve as an authorized representative on behalf of a client. Clients may authorize a representative to submit applications and communicate with HRA on their behalf

Through the reasonable accommodation process, clients who have difficulty completing and submitting applications, can be referred to Center 90 staff who will take applications and recertification submissions over the phone.

SNAP recipients can avoid the grocery store and shop from home by ordering groceries online using their EBT card. Participating retailers include Amazon, ShopRite, and Walmart. This program, which was piloted in 2019 but is now a permanent program, helps address the needs of people who are elderly or have disabilities, especially those who are homebound or lack access to convenient transportation. The program is particularly beneficial for those working long and inconvenient hours, those who act as caregivers, or those who live far from a grocery store with fresh produce.

WeCARE

When applying or recertifying for Cash Assistance, clients may be referred to HRA’s Wellness, Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment (WeCARE) program. WeCARE offers a continuum of services to support clients with medical and/or mental health conditions that affect their ability to work, helping them achieve their maximum level of self-sufficiency.

Upon referral, clients undergo a comprehensive clinical assessment to identify medical, mental health, and social factors that may impact employability. Based on the results, WeCARE vendors determine the client’s functional capacity, and deliver tailored services that include:

• Assistance with applying for Social Security benefits if the client's condition may meet disability criteria.
• Participation in Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), including job development, placement support, and retention services through 180 days of employment, if the client is capable of working with accommodations.
• Ongoing Wellness Plan monitoring for clients with unstable medical or mental health conditions, with the goal of stabilization and future employability.

WeCARE services are now provided through a hybrid model which is a combination of in-person and virtual appointments. While some services, such as a medical assessments and select VRS activities, are conducted on-site, most Wellness and post-application SSI services can be delivered virtually, improving accessibility and reducing the need for travel.

Virtual service delivery has also proven to be effective in increasing client engagement and flexibility. WeCARE continues to refine this approach by:

• Maintaining virtual access for services that do not require physical presence.
• Offering in-person support when clinically necessary or preferred by the client.
• Using internal systems to track participation and document progress toward self-sufficiency goals.

WeCARE continues to evolve by combining the strengths of remote access with essential on-site services to better serve clients with complex needs.

Cash Assistance and the Disability Screening Tool

HRA has developed a Disability Screening Interview Tool to assist HRA workers in identifying individuals with disabilities who may need reasonable accommodations to apply for and maintain their Cash Assistance benefits. An electronic version of this tool is available as part of all Cash Assistance application and recertification interviews as of early 2021.

Beginning April 2023, applicants and recipients of cash assistance and/or emergency assistance were able to call the Cash Assistance On Demand phone line to complete their interviews. There no longer is a need for individuals to physically come to any of the Benefit Access Center locations. They can apply online and conduct their interviews over the phone. Benefit Access Centers across the city remain in operation and are available for individuals to visit and apply/recertify, and all reasonable accommodations will be honored as normal.

Beginning August 2024, applicants and recipients of ongoing cash assistance received employment assessments/employment plans as part of their application or recertification interviews. During these assessments, any individuals who identified as having and mental/emotional/physical (including substance use) barrier or limitation, could be referred to the appropriate part of HRA, to address the identified barrier or limitation.

Homeless Services

Based on the settlement of the Butler Lawsuit in 2017, DSS and DHS leadership have:

• Implemented an extensive reasonable accommodations (RA) process so that clients with disabilities may make RA requests to meaningfully access shelter programs and services;
• Hired a Director of Disability Affairs for Homeless Services;
•  Created a Disability Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Unit;
• Engaged an experienced consulting firm to assess shelter accessibility;
• Opened 22 fully ADA accessible sites since 2021, serving a variety of client populations; and
• Completed plans to construct a new, accessible women’s intake facility in Brooklyn which is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

DHS provides comprehensive full-day Introduction to Disabilities training for all client-facing DHS and provider agency staff. All other staff receive a half-day version of the training. These trainings promote positive interactions/outcomes, explore the history of the disability rights movement, discuss related legal requirements, outline reasonable accommodations and disability etiquette/culture, and address attitudes that can be barriers to effectively working with people with disabilities. These trainings are being rolled out to all DHS and provider shelters on an ongoing basis and new DHS staff receive this training as part of their onboarding process.

DHS is also continuing to train shelter staff on accommodating people who are deaf or hard of hearing and have produced a guide to support staff in these efforts. Video Remote Interpretation is available at all DHS-run shelters and intake facilities, as well as the Office of the Ombudsman. DSS/DHS has extended the use of their sign language interpretation contract to all provider agencies who do not have their own contract and who complete a written agreement. The agency has also implemented an ASL Options Card: A Tool for Staff, making it easier for employees to communicate interpretation options and time frames to the people they serve. Please see ASL (above) for information on the soft launch of the DSS Communicard that will support people who are deaf in shelter.

Through a generous grant from the Taft Foundation, AHRC NYC has hired a Director of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Complex Needs Initiatives stationed within the DSS Office of Disability Affairs. This individual is managing a 2-year program supporting adults and children with I/DD in shelter.

Local Law 23 of 2023 created an Advisory Board for Accessibility in Shelters, and DHS is committed to serving on this board and supporting its members to further refine and achieve DHS’s accessibility goals.

For more information on disability access at DHS and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit DHS’ webpage on Disability Access.

NYCitizenship

NYCitizenship, which was launched in 2016 as a joint initiative of the New York City Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), but now operating as NYCitizenship at DSS, provides immigrant New Yorkers who receive DSS benefits and meet the program eligibility criteria with free citizenship application assistance.

As part of NYCitizenship, you can:

• Meet with a free, trusted lawyer in your language of choice.
• Apply for citizenship easily and receive assistance with obtaining medical forms that provide for exemptions from taking the citizenship exam for certain applicants.
• Obtain fee waivers that allow you to file your application with the Federal government for free.

Through NYCitizenship at DSS, the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) has reached out to almost 27,000 immigrant clients with disabilities and select older adults receiving benefits who were identified as potentially eligible to become U.S. citizens. As of June 2025, with the help of the program’s legal partner, NYLAG, the program has scheduled nearly 4,300 appointments, filed over 1,600 applications, and naturalized over 1,000 U.S. citizens. Many of those people who successfully naturalized through NYCitizenship have gone on to receive greater benefits through Supplemental Security Income from the Social Security Administration.

IDNYC

The City’s municipal identification card program IDNYC allows NYC residents aged 10 and up with physical or intellectual/ developmental disabilities—regardless of possession of photo identification or proof of residency— to apply for an ID card if accompanied by a caregiver who has a photo ID and who can demonstrate proof of a relationship to the applicant. Visit the Residency and Caretaker Relationship page of the IDNYC website for more information (How to Apply - IDNYC). To further expand accessibility, “IDNYC” now includes tactile braille on the front of all new IDNYC cards to help cardholders who are blind or have low vision distinguish and use the card. IDNYC is the largest and most successful municipal ID program in the country with over 1.8 million cardholders and is now the first locally-issued ID in the nation to include braille. The City will continue to work with the blind and low vision community to increase accessibility for the cards.

NYC Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH)

The NYC Office of Administrative Trials & Hearings (OATH) is the city’s central independent administrative law tribunal. OATH’s mission is to provide fair and impartial hearings, timely decisions, and access to justice for all. In addition to ensuring that OATH’s services are accessible to all New Yorkers — including persons with disabilities — OATH handles cases where an individual’s disability is the core issue.

For example, OATH’s Special Education Hearings Division (SEHD) provides fair and neutral impartial hearings to resolve disputes between parents of students with disabilities and the New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). SEHD hears cases filed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 (Section 504), which are federal laws. IDEA requires that students with disabilities get appropriate special education services. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against students or parents with disabilities.

SEHD was established in 2021 by Mayoral Executive Order 91 to address the growing backlog and undue delays in the adjudication of special education due process claims. SEHD began operations in March of 2022, and by January 2024, SEHD became the exclusive tribunal for all new due process complaints filed with the NYCPS by parents challenging the NYCPS’s determination relating to special education services. 

OATH is achieving the city’s goal of reducing the time it takes to adjudicate claims filed by parents. Specifically, the backlog of approximately 11,000 cases waiting for assignment to an impartial hearing officer was eliminated and as of July 2025, the average case length was reduced by over 50%. Since March 2022, SEHD has taken on over 48,000 cases and has closed over 42,500 cases.

Department for the Aging (NYC Aging)

With an overarching vision of an age-inclusive New York City, the Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) offers a host of supports and services that enable older New Yorkers to age-in-place.

You can read about transportation services provided by NYC Aging in the Transportation section of this report.

NYC Aging values public information and community perspectives, and the agency has acquired many key learnings from our transportation program and current network of service providers. Those learnings will inform and influence how the transportation program should evolve to meet the needs of older adults. Furthermore, in 2025, NYC Aging issued a Community Care concept paper that includes three major programs, including transportation, soliciting the critically important perspectives of current providers, potential contractors, and other experts in the field.

In addition, now in its third year under the NYC Cabinet for Older New Yorkers, agencies continue to collaborate to eliminate age-related barriers and inequities in services while advancing cross-agency solutions to challenges faced by older New Yorkers. As part of this multiagency collaborative, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and NYC Aging partnered on a focused discussion on the intersectionality of aging and disability. The discussion highlighted the unique experiences of older New Yorkers with disabilities and examined critical steps both agencies are taking to address these issues.

Small Business Services

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) hosts a page, developed with input from MOPD and CCHR, that provides accessibility resources for small businesses: nyc.gov/bizaccessibility.

In October 2025, SBS, MOPD, and CCHR hosted an accessibility training for Business Improvement Districts focusing on physical access, digital accessibility, and workplace inclusion. In December 2025, MOPD presented on physical and digital accessibility to SBS’s NYC Business Express Service Team (NYC BEST).

You can read about other SBS initiatives in the Employment and Financial Empowerment section of this report.

 

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