New York voters overwhelmingly support expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, advocates and business leaders said during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 27, at Spectrum Designs in Port Washington.
The news conference brought together representatives from New York State Industries for the Disabled, Spectrum Designs, the governor’s office and local government to highlight new statewide polling and a report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government examining the economic impact of employment programs for people with disabilities.
The event also renewed a push to make New York’s Preferred Source program permanent by removing a provision that requires the program’s authorization to be periodically renewed by the state Legislature.
“85% of all voters in New York state think that disability employment should be a priority,” said Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO and co-founder of New York State Industries for the Disabled. “90% think that the Preferred Source program should be expanded and have priority in the Legislature to be expanded.”…