Senate Resolution No. 391

BY: Senator GOUNARDES

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        February  25,  2021,  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 25,  2021,  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 25,  2021,  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.