NYC EEO Policy ~ Addendum || About EEO: What You May Not Know ~ Addendum
The Top Ten Things to Know About EEO || Agency EEO Officers
NYC 55-a Program || Agency 55-a Program Coordinators
Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Procedure
Discrimination Complaint Procedures

The City of New York is strongly committed to improving the representation of persons with disabilities within its work force. One of the programs used by the City to provide opportunities to qualified persons with disabilities is a program known as the "55-a Program."

Section 55-a of the New York State Civil Service Law permits municipalities to employ persons, who have been certified as physically or mentally disabled, in civil service positions on a non-competitive basis. This provision is implemented by the City of New York through the 55-a Program, which is administered by the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services. You must be certified as being physically or mentally disabled and qualified to perform the duties of the job.

A qualified person with a disability who is appointed to the 55-a Program is not required to take a written or oral examination. Persons eligible under this program are not placed on a civil service list. Eligible persons will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications and interviews. Eligibility for the 55-a Program is determined based on an official certification that an individual is physically or mentally disabled and qualified to perform the duties of the job.

Any individual who has questions abou the 55-a program should contact their human resources director, their agency 55-a coordinator or the Citywide 55-a Coordinator at DCAS. Applicants for employment within New York City agencies who wish to be certified for the 55-a program should apply directly to the human resources director of any City agency.

Qualified persons must meet the skills, education and/or experience qualifications for the position. Further, they must meet other criteria relative to being certified as physically or mentally disabled and qualified to perform the duties of a position, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

A free brochure with more complete information may be requested by calling: (212) 669-8643 (212) 669-8660 (TTY)

Or by mail from:
The City of New York's 55-a Program
New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Division of Citywide EEO / 55-a Program
1 Centre Street, 17th Floor North
New York, NY 10007