Issue Position: Disability Rights

Issue Position

James has been a consistent champion for disability rights and continues to pass legislation expanding resources for individuals with disabilities.

Last session, James authored and enacted two key bills: one extends a property tax benefit to active members of the armed forces who are severely disabled, and the other enables closed captioning on televisions in public areas for visually-impaired New Yorkers. He also sponsored legislation to open a state advocacy office for the rights of people with disabilities.

James served as Chairman of the Task Force on People with Disabilities and authored a constitutional amendment to include disability rights under the equal protection requirement. James additionally introduced and enacted a law that ensures students with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in high school graduation ceremonies.

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