Declare Mobility Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 5234 BY: Senator PARKER MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Mobility Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Mobility Awareness Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Each May, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) kicks off National Mobility Awareness Month (NMAM); driven by the theme "Life Moving Forward," NMEDA members and the industry partners team up to organize an international campaign that works to highlight and celebrate the ways in which people living with disabilities persevere and triumph over their physical challenges while bringing attention to the many life-changing mobility solutions available to make independence more accessible; and WHEREAS, NMAM also works together to offer people living with disabilities the chance to win an amazing prize during the Local Hero Contest, a brand new wheelchair accessible vehicle customized to the winner's needs; and WHEREAS, The mission of Mobility Awareness Week is to promote the recognition and understanding of the challenges people who use wheelchairs must face on a daily basis; and WHEREAS, Mobility Awareness Week strives for the proliferation of curb cuts, wheelchair heights at stores and supermarkets, handicapped parking spots, and handicapped accessible mass transit to accommodate friends and family; and WHEREAS, The objective of Mobility Awareness Week is to bring more consideration and kindness to New York State's wheelchair users, and to provoke thoughts and consideration with regard to the public and private institutional deficiencies that impede their mobility; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Mobility Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.