Governor Hochul Launches Fifth Annual New York State Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) Symposium

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the fifth annual New York State Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) Symposium, a comprehensive event to connect New Yorkers with disabilities to inclusive employers, vital state and nonprofit resources, and assistive technology. Day one of this two-day event will feature a career fair, a resource fair and assistive technology demonstrations designed to empower job seekers and support New York State's "Employment First (E1st)" and "State As a Model Employer" initiatives.

"The fifth annual DREAM Symposium showcases what qualified people with disabilities have to offer to public and private sector employers, innovative strategies for our businesses, schools, and communities, and how much progress we can make together to improve learning and earning opportunities for all New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "New York's Employment First community is leading the way to bridge the gap for job seekers and learners with disabilities, not just because we know it's the right thing to do, but because these efforts result in happier, healthier and more inclusive communities."

The Symposium will be led by the New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer, in tandem with: the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; the Department of Labor; the Office of Mental Health; the Department of Civil Service; the State Education Department; the Office of Children and Family Services/Commission for the Blind; the Office of General Services; the Workers' Compensation Board; the Division of Human Rights; the Office of Employee Relations; the Council on Developmental Disabilities; the Department of Motor Vehicles; and the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability at Cornell University.

DREAM is an annual two-day event hosted by the Office of the Chief Disability Officer, in partnership with several state agencies, the disability community and essential stakeholders, celebrating E1st as a civil rights, economic, workforce, and public health movement. Free to attendees and exhibitors, DREAM brings together the all-inclusive E1st ecosystem, which is composed of people with disabilities, their families, advocates, service providers, policy and research professionals, state representatives from around the country, vendors and business leaders to celebrate and promote improved earning and learning opportunities for people with disabilities.

Breakout sessions will be running on issues including: The Business of Inclusion in the Private Sector; Universal Design in the Workplace; Transition Across the Lifespan; The Power of Community Participation; Public Benefits and Financial Literacy; Self-Advocacy in the Workforce; Disability Employment in the 21st Century; and other pertinent topics.

In recognition of the value and talent that New Yorkers with disabilities bring to the workforce, Governor Kathy Hochul has officially proclaimed October 2026 as Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) in New York State. The proclamation aligns with the national theme "Celebrating Value and Talent" and builds on the state's commitment to an inclusive, equitable and accessible New York.

The Governor also announced that 15 landmarks will be illuminated red, light blue, and gold/yellow on Wednesday, October 14 in honor of Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month. The landmarks include:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

This year marks the 81st anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and New York State continues to lead with concrete action. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, the state has implemented Employment First Executive Order 40, which prioritizes competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. The proclamation supports a broader slate of state activities throughout October, including the DREAM Symposium and exhibit at the NYS Capitol.

New York State's Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, "Reaching the fifth annual DREAM Symposium is a powerful testament to New York's unwavering commitment to building an inclusive state where every individual has equal access to opportunity. I am deeply honored to serve in Governor Hochul's administration, as her steadfast dedication to disability rights and accessibility ensures these vital issues remain a top priority for our state. This symposium is more than a gathering; it is a catalyst for real change - connecting talented jobseekers with forward-thinking employers and proving that true inclusion makes New York stronger."

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, "As we celebrate the fifth annual Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month Symposium, we also celebrate five years of meaningful progress under Governor Hochul's leadership to expand opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities. I want to thank Governor Hochul and New York's first Chief Disability Officer for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every New Yorker has the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment. Work is about far more than a paycheck; it provides purpose, independence, connection and the chance to contribute to your community. Because of the Governor's leadership and the collaboration of state agencies across New York, we are making real progress in ensuring that people with disabilities have a seat at the table in every industry, including our own state workforce. I encourage employers throughout the State to recognize the tremendous talent and diversity the disability community brings and to invest in a workforce that is consistently recognized for its dedication, enthusiasm and reliability."

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "New York State recognizes the valuable contribution that individuals living with disabilities make to our workforce each and every day. The DREAM Symposium highlights the innovative steps we are taking as a state to engage individuals with disabilities in gainful employment that promotes dignity and independence. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is a proud Employment-First state, extending opportunity to people with disabilities and fully embracing inclusivity in our workforce."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The New York State Department of Labor is incredibly proud to sponsor the 2026 DREAM Symposium, an initiative that exemplifies our unwavering commitment to building an inclusive, diverse, and robust workforce. By connecting talent with opportunity and dismantling barriers to career success, we ensure that every New Yorker has the resources and support needed to thrive in our state's growing economy. We are thrilled to partner in this vital effort to empower the next generation of leaders and foster economic growth that benefits all of our communities."

New York State Department of Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission President Timothy Hogues said, "The Department of Civil Service and the Office of the Chief Disability Officer partnered last year on a campaign that reached more than 10 million New Yorkers with a message that continues to resonate: Public servants are defined by their talents, which they use to help their fellow New Yorkers every day all across the state. I encourage New Yorkers with disabilities and a passion for service to use their skills and life experiences to find themselves in a rewarding career in state government."

New York State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, "Talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Every New Yorker deserves the chance to pursue their aspirations, contribute their talents, and build a meaningful future without barriers standing in their way. Through ACCES-VR, the State Education Department is committed to helping individuals with disabilities access the education, training, resources and employment opportunities they need to succeed. We are proud to join our state partners in advancing a future where opportunity is defined by ability and ambition, not circumstance."

New York State Division of Human Rights Commissioner Denise M. Miranda, Esq. said, "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace. Under the New York State Human Rights Law, New Yorkers with disabilities have nation-leading protections against discrimination in the hiring process and on the job. The Division of Human Rights is committed to defending those rights, holding violators accountable, and advancing equal opportunity for all. We are proud to sponsor the DREAM Symposium, and we are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Office of the Chief Disability Officer for their continued leadership in advancing workplace equity."

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "OGS is proud to welcome the DREAM Symposium back to the Empire State Plaza for its milestone fifth year, where job seekers, employers, advocates, and community partners come together to advance disability rights and build a more inclusive future for all. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State is creating more opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue meaningful, rewarding careers. We are honored to support this essential event and help create a space where every New Yorker can connect with opportunities to succeed."

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said, "Creating an inclusive, equitable, and accessible agency benefits New Yorkers every day and strengthens our workforce. Hiring employees with disabilities isn't doing them a favor. It is not a handout. We at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles are proud to participate in making sure our staff represents the diverse state we serve and hope to be seen as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. The DREAM Symposium is a tremendous event that should be a source of pride for all New Yorkers as these individuals represent the best of us. Our workforce should reflect all our customers and we are committed to ensuring that people of all backgrounds know they are welcome to work here."

New York State Council on Developmental Disabilities Executive Director Kristin Proud said, "The Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) is grateful to Governor Hochul for making New York an Employment First state. Connecting people with developmental disabilities to meaningful employment in inclusive workplaces while ensuring they have the support needed for success is a pathway to independence, economic stability and personal growth."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, "OCFS is proud to join our state partners in sponsoring the annual Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) Symposium. It is truly a privilege to live in New York State where Governor Kathy Hochul has prioritized DEIA, expanding awareness and opportunities for all, including the disabled community. This symposium will afford rich conversations about ways the state can advance labor force participation, individuals can access employment opportunities, and how to best serve individuals with a wide range of abilities."

New York State Office of Employee Relations Director Michael Volforte said, "The Office of Employee Relations (OER) continues to support an inclusive and accessible workplace for all New York State employees including people with disabilities through collective bargaining, training, and protected class policy. The OER is proud to support the work of the Office of the Chief Disability Officer in bringing events like the DREAM Symposium to fruition in an effort to increase opportunities for people with disabilities, foster diversity and inclusion, and create space for all employees to be successful in their roles as State employees."

New York State Workers' Compensation Board Chair Freida D. Foster said, "Every worker deserves the dignity of meaningful employment. The NYS Workers' Compensation Board is dedicated to helping injured and disabled New Yorkers recover and return to work. The DREAM Symposium reminds us that New York's workforce is at its strongest when it is inclusive and accessible to all."

Cornell University K. Lisa Yang & Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment & Disability Executive Director Wendy Strobel Gower said, "YTI loves working with the Office of the Chief Disability Officer on the DREAM Symposium. It is a great celebration of what people with disabilities bring to the workforce in New York State."