Employment First
Equality and inclusiveness play a central role in the history of New York State, and New York state is continuing that legacy by standing up for the employment needs of people with disabilities. This Executive Order relays what we stand for as New Yorkers it will help provide fair opportunities to all people, and I am proud to move our state forward by signing it.
The Employment First policy is part of a national movement to support the employment of people with disabilities. The employment rate for a New Yorker with a disability (aged 18-64) is 31.2% compared to 72% for a person without a disability, resulting in a gap of 40.8 percentage points. In addition, the poverty rate for New Yorkers with disabilities aged 18-64 living in the community is 28.6%, which is more than twice that of people in New York State without disabilities (12.3%). The Governor has set a tentative goal of a 5% increase in the employment rate and a 5% decrease in the poverty rate among this population.
