Recognize Disability Advocacy Day

February 5, 2020, as Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days 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 intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 5, 2020, as Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Students with Disabilities Day is a campaign which raises awareness about the need for removing barriers to key reasonable accommodations and support services that promote access and success for students with disabilities, who attend public and private institutes of higher education in New York State at increasingly higher rates; and WHEREAS, Our great Empire State has a history of excellence in education and values providing educational opportunities to students with diverse backgrounds; students with disabilities contribute greatly to New York State's colleges and universities; and WHEREAS, According to the New York State Education Department, as of late last fall there were more than 73,000 identified students with disabilities attending New York State degree-granting colleges and universities; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that these institutes of higher learning are provided with the necessary resources to empower students with disabilities and help them achieve academically and beyond; and WHEREAS, New Yorkers with disabilities, like all New Yorkers, are entitled to not only full participation in our society, but also full opportunity in our society; their talents and contributions are vital to the strength of our State's workforce and our future prosperity; and WHEREAS, Together, we can ensure persons living with disabilities are provided key reasonable accommodations and support services that promote access and success while attending public and private institutes of higher education in New York State; and WHEREAS, It is in the interest of New York State to recognize the achievements which have been made thus far, and to continue these efforts by promoting the awareness and fostering the understanding of persons with disabilities; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 5, 2020, as Students with Disabilities Advocacy Day 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.