EQUAL ACCESS

People with disabilities have a right to participate fully in all areas of life, including housing, public accommodations, employment, education and transportation. Federal, state and city civil rights laws prohibit discrimination based on disability and promote equal opportunity and equal access.

Equal Access: It’s the Law summarizes disability rights under the NYC Human Rights Law in areas of housing, public accommodations, and employment.

The Commission’s Equal Access program assists people with disabilities, and housing and service providers in making reasonable accommodations. Staff conduct presentations for residents, consumers, landlords, storeowners and others to inform them of their rights and obligations and, more generally, to raise awareness about the legal and social significance of equal access and inclusion.

On behalf of someone with a disability, Equal Access staff members will intervene to speak to the landlord or service provider to see if they will grant a reasonable accommodation voluntarily. When early intervention is not successful, a formal complaint is filed by the Commission’s Law Enforcement Bureau, which investigates and prosecutes allegations of discrimination.