FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2024
CONTACT: mbeller@talent.nyc.gov, (212) 531-3941

THE CITY OF NEW YORK CELEBRATES NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH WITH MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO CONNECT NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES TO CAREERS

City Acknowledges Employers, Advocates, Community Organizations and Individuals That Are Championing This Year’s Theme of “Access to Good Jobs for All”

Recent City Efforts Include the Launch of an Advisory Council Comprised of Business Leaders Who Will Help Reduce Barriers to Employment and Expand Paid Internship Opportunities

NEW YORK – The City of New York, the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Workforce Development (NYC Talent) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) today celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by acknowledging the employers, advocates, and community organizations that are helping to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities and make the city’s economy more inclusive for all New Yorkers.

NDEAM is held every October to honor the achievements and contributions made by individuals with disabilities in the workplace and showcases supportive, inclusive policies and practices that benefit employees and employers alike. This year’s theme, set by the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” NYC Talent and its Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion (CWAI), in partnership with MOPD, convened today’s event and acknowledged the contributions of several employers and providers who exemplify this theme by championing access and inclusion for all.

Organizations acknowledged include:

• Accenture, Sarah Cline, Global Workplace Inclusion & Diversity Lead – Corporate Services & Sustainability.  Accenture’s Accessibility Center of Excellence is focused on the assistive technology aspects of an inclusive workplace. Successes to date includes: the establishment of Workplace Accessibility Standards; the review and update of all internal marketing and communications processes to ensure creation of accessible content; and the establishment of digital accessibility targets for all internal employee traffic.
• The Axis Project, George Gallego, Founder.  The Axis Project offers adaptive programming for people with disabilities and seniors. It catalyzes societal change, celebrating diverse talents and accomplishments. Partnering with various brands, it creates transformative experiences, emphasizing a commitment to a world where everyone is acknowledged and celebrated. 
• The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School, Leslie Jones, Executive Director. The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG Music School), founded in 1913, is committed to helping people pursue their study of music while addressing the challenges posed by vision loss.  For over a century, FMDG has garnered high regard for its instruction, performances, and teacher training. They serve as a resource to music educators and performers nationwide as one of the leading providers of large print and braille music.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Miranda Hoffner, Director, Accessibility. Lincoln Center fosters collaboration and deepening impact across the Lincoln Center resident organizations; championing inclusion and increasing the accessibility and reach of Lincoln Center’s work; and nurturing innovation on stage and off to help ensure the arts are at the center of civic life for all.  
• NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Office of Human Capital, Laura Gibson Rimer, Executive Director, eLearning and Development, for their collaboration with Microsoft in making digital accessibility training available to more than 300,000 city employees, leading the way for NYC as a model employer in accessibility and inclusion.
• Tech Kids Unlimited, Beth Rosenberg and Jack Rubin, Co-Founders. Tech Kids Unlimited uses technology tools, computer science thinking, and social-emotional learning to ignite unlimited futures for neurodiverse students. Students who learn and think differently explore the creative power of tech, practice work readiness skills, and build confidence through virtual and in-person programs in a fun and supportive community.

“Our city is stronger when we ensure that including a diverse array of people in our workforces and I applaud the employers who are making sure that all have access to good jobs,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “By focusing on building more opportunities for economically disadvantaged New Yorkers to be connected with job opportunities we are building a more inclusive economy.”

"I am proud of the significant accomplishments we made over the past year to reduce systemic barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. "The launch of the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Council deepens our commitment to connecting New Yorkers with disabilities to meaningful employment opportunities."

"Today we are recognizing the contributions of organizations and individuals who are promoting access and inclusion, helping to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities and making the city’s economy more inclusive for all New Yorkers," said NYC Talent Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. "We are well on our way of meeting the city's goal of connecting 2500 New Yorkers with disabilities to good paying careers over three years, especially with last week's launch of the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion's Advisory Council."

"National Disability Employment Awareness Month highlights the incredible talent and potential that New Yorkers with disabilities bring to our workforce," said NYC MOPD Commissioner Christina Curry. "MOPD is deeply committed to expanding programs that champion equitable access to meaningful employment opportunities, empowering individuals to achieve their career goals and economic independence. We are proud to work closely with NYC Talent, whose efforts and collaboration with our office are critical in breaking down barriers and creating pathways to good jobs. Together, we’re not only opening doors for employment but also reshaping the employment landscape to ensure every New Yorker has the fair chance they deserve to contribute to and thrive within our city’s economy."

Last week the CWAI, which works with for-profit businesses, nonprofit providers, and government agencies to reduce systemic barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities, launched its council. Chaired by Angela Lean of Microsoft, the council is comprised of public and private sector partners and advises NYC Talent and other city agencies on workforce development strategies, elevates best practices, and provides resources for employers. The council was first announced in July when the city celebrated major progress towards its goal of connecting 2,500 New Yorkers with disabilities to good paying jobs and careers over three years. In the first year of this plan, more than 500 individuals were connected to employment, significantly exceeding its original goal of 350 and placing the city ahead of schedule. Building on this momentum, NYC Talent announced the expansion of the Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII) program to place 100 additional New Yorkers with disabilities over three years into paid internships with the goal of becoming employed full time.

Individuals interested in applying or learning more about job opportunities for people with disabilities can visit NYC: ATWORK, which exists within MOPD and recruits, pre-screens, and connects New Yorkers with disabilities to jobs and internships with established business partners in both the public and private sectors. To learn more about internships through PII, individuals can visit this website. 

These initiatives focused on increasing employment for people with disabilities reflect a broader commitment by the Adams administration to building a more inclusive economy and robust pathways to opportunity for economically disadvantaged New Yorkers. In September, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Talent announced nearly 8,500 job-seeking New Yorkers were connected to employment, free training, and workforce development resources over six months through the through the “Jobs NYC” initiative. Jobs NYC is a multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment.

Building on the success of the previous hiring halls, NYC Talent and SBS will continue holding regular hiring halls, with the next one being held on October 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the JCC Gerard Carter Center, 230 Broad Street Staten Island, NY 10304. To register for the hiring hall and to find job opportunities, free training, and employment resources, New Yorkers can visit the Jobs NYC website.

In August NYC Talent announced expanded workforce services for New Yorkers with disabilities and celebrated a hiring milestone for this community. Further, earlier this summer, Mayor Adams announced the city’s first-ever community hiring effort, which will leverage more than $1.2 billion in city contracts to create job opportunities for underserved New Yorkers. Community hiring allows the city to use its purchasing power, set hiring goals across city procurement contracts, and build on the success of existing project labor agreements and agency-specific hiring programs.

The administration has made continued investments in creating apprenticeship opportunities across New York City. In June, NYC Talent celebrated major progress towards achieving the administration’s moonshot goal of delivering 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030, a key commitment first laid out in Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City address. The city is currently on track to deliver over 14,000 apprenticeship opportunities by the end of 2024 — ahead of schedule and nearly halfway towards the goal announced last year. 

In April, Mayor Adams also announced the launch of the New York City Workforce Development Council, a group of leaders from the business community, educational institutions, unions, and training providers who will help develop and sustain strategies that will aid New Yorkers in finding family-sustaining careers and help employers tap the talent they need to succeed. In February, Mayor Adams unveiled a first-of-its-kind plan to grow the city's green economy and best position New Yorkers to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected 'green-collar' jobs in New York City by 2040. Additionally, last year, Mayor Adams announced “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” an over $600 million action plan to bolster the city's talent ecosystem.    

"This is the first year the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion is hosting a NDEAM celebration in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities," said Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion Executive Director Martha Jackson. "Our community benefits from their entrepreneurship, arts, culture, technologies and best practices that foster inclusion, and demonstrate an enduring commitment to access for all New Yorkers."

"As MOPD and the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, SBS extends a hand of partnership to all employers who are committed to taking the accessible steps that will allow their organizations to benefit from the excellence that exists in the diverse community of New Yorkers with disabilities," said NYC Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross. "This is a benefit of hiring through the Workforce 1 system of career centers, which has integrated MOPD's NYC at Work career advisors and trained all staff on best practices on serving jobseekers with disabilities. Work with us to build inclusive pathways to opportunity, making your workforce stronger, more diverse, and more reflective of the communities we serve."

“We’re excited to be collaborating with our partners across the City to develop and launch new initiatives that support full participation, economic self-sufficiency, career advancement, and equity for New Yorkers with disabilities,” said David S. Berman, Director of Programs and evaluation, Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “For too long, we have allowed systems to fail people with disabilities, and so we are pleased to see these organizations and individuals recognized for their ongoing commitments to advancing accessibility and inclusion for all New Yorkers.”

“Accessibility education is vital to creating a supportive environment for employees with disabilities, and we at DCAS are honored to be recognized by the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, NYC Talent, and the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion for the expansion of our digital accessibility trainings for city employees,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “I congratulate our Human Capital division and media services team for their work on this project to enhance training opportunities and prioritize avenues of employment for people with disabilities. This only furthers our work to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the materials, information, and platforms they need to thrive.” 

"We are honored to be acknowledged during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) by The Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion (CWAI), which is housed at NYC Talent and Workforce Development," said George Gallego, Founder of the Axis Project. "Their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces is making a profound impact in New York City and beyond. The efforts of CWAI not only align with our mission at Access Initiatives and the Axis Project but also enhance our ability to empower individuals with disabilities. Together, we are creating a more equitable future, ensuring that diverse talents are recognized and celebrated in every workplace."

“Accenture’s Accessibility Centers are interactive spaces where employees can explore assistive technology and collaborate with clients and communities,” said Sarah Cline, Global Workplace Inclusion & Diversity Lead - Corporate Services & Sustainability. “Supported by a global Accommodation Support Tool, these Centers are part of Accenture’s holistic approach to workplace accessibility. This commitment reflects Accenture’s vision of a workplace where everyone is empowered and supported to thrive.”

“FMDG Music School lives the mission of accessibility and inclusion. Our faculty, students, staff, and Board believe that when provided with appropriate access to opportunities and materials, anyone can achieve success who is willing to work hard,” said Leslie Jones, Executive Director, The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School.  “Music is a universal language which has the capacity to create harmony among all peoples. The arts teach that to make something meaningful and beautiful, one works with others for the best product possible—a piece of music, a painting, a play or a dance masterwork. At FMDG Music School, we live this philosophy!”

“Accessibility is engrained in who we are, who we serve, and how we extend a broad invitation to everyone interested in experiencing the arts. For over 40 years Lincoln Center has engaged disabled people as advisors, audience members, staff and artists, and recognizes that it is never a one size fits all solution,” said Miranda Hoffner, Director of Accessibility at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. “Through targeted work-based learning initiatives, including our Access Ambassadors program for high school students with disabilities and recent collaboration through the Summer Youth Employment Program, we have offered pathways to employment for hundreds of young people.  We are honored to be recognized for this important work along with so many local leaders.”

"Tech Kids Unlimited is honored to receive this recognition from the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion,” said Beth Rosenberg, Executive Director, Tech Kids Unlimited. “This award validates our commitment to empowering neurodiverse youth ages 10 to 24 with the work-based learning skills and confidence they need to thrive in today's workforce. We are excited to continue building pathways for our neurodiverse youth with autism and other disabilities to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

“Business has a critical role to play in advancing workforce development and expanding access to jobs for all New Yorkers," said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director, New York Jobs CEO Council. "The Jobs Council is proud to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month and support our members' commitment to a more inclusive economy. New York City wins when we all have access to good jobs. Congratulations to the organizations acknowledged for their leadership in creating inclusive workspaces where every New Yorker can thrive.” 

"The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly one in six New York City residents lives with a physical or mental health condition that significantly impacts their daily lives. These figures underscore the urgent need for collaborative and effective approaches to ensure equitable access to education and employment opportunities," said JobsFirstNYC CEO and President Marjorie D. Parker. "At JobsFirstNYC, we are dedicated to developing innovative solutions and removing barriers to economic prosperity for all young adults in New York City. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a vital reminder of the need for inclusivity and equity in our workforce. As leaders in improving and coordinating workforce development efforts, we support the work that NYC Talent and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities are pioneering and believe that through strategic collaborations we can create a more accessible and inclusive future for everyone in our City.”

“We’ve seen time and again how expanding employment and educational opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities helps our entire city thrive,” said Rachel Pardoe, The New York Community Trust’s senior program officer for people with disabilities. “The Trust is proud to support programs like the FMDG Music School and Tech Kids Unlimited, which are training tomorrow’s artists and tech talent and contributing to more inclusive workplaces.”