No. 31

E X E C U T I V E O R D E R

COMMITTING NEW YORK STATE TO BECOMING A MODEL EMPLOYER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

WHEREAS, New York has 2,359,842 people with disabilities, 1,137,516 are between the ages of 18-64, only 419,234 of them are employed;

WHEREAS, nearly one-third of people with disabilities live in poverty in New York State, versus 13% for those without a disability;

WHEREAS, the number of people with disabilities living in the community who are employed is 36.9%, versus 73.8% of their non-disabled peers;

WHEREAS, in February 2022, I established the Office of the Chief Disability Officer to advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities;

WHEREAS, it is critical that New York State serve as a model employer that is committed to increasing the participation of people with disabilities in state service and ensuring equal access to opportunities;

WHEREAS, the State of New York has a vested interest in eliminating barriers to employment for all New Yorkers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York, do hereby commit New York State to become a model employer for people with disabilities and do hereby direct as follows:

A. Definitions

1. “State Agency” shall have the same meaning as that term in Section 74 of Public Officers Law.
2. "State officers and employees" shall have the meaning given to "officer or employee of a state agency" in Section 74 of the...

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