Help NYC Employers Build Accessible Workplaces and Make Accommodations Work
Decision-maker: New York City Commission on Human Rights

I’m Legally Blind, and getting a job and having what I need to do that job are two different things. In the past, when I started somewhere new, my on boarding process  included learning my responsibilities while also figuring out how to navigate the space and whether I could use the tools and materials I’ll need. When I asked for an accommodation, there was a question in the back of my mind: Will they doubt that I can do the job because I asked for what I need?
I’m grateful to currently work with a team that accommodates me. I want more employees with Disabilities to have that experience. There’s a lot employers can do before anyone has to ask. 
For example: sharing onboarding materials in accessible formats, turning on captions for virtual meetings, and checking whether software works with screen readers can remove common barriers from day one. People will still have individual needs, and employers should know how to respond when someone asks for something specific.
New York City already requires covered employers to provide reasonable Disability accommodations. I’m asking the New York City Commission on Human Rights to expand its free employer education with practical training on how to build accessibility into everyday work and follow through on individual accommodation requests.

Some examples of what that  training could teach managers and HR staff are:
-Build accessibility into everyday work. Start with hiring, onboarding, meetings, and workplace technology. 
-Show employers simple changes they can make before an applicant or employee has to flag a barrier.
-Respond promptly to individual requests. Tell the worker who is handling the request and what happens next.
-Talk through options with the worker. Listen to what they need and agree on clear next steps for putting an effective accommodation in place.
-Follow up after the accommodation is in place. Ask whether it works in practice and address any barriers that remain.

Accommodations level the playing field. They give disabled people the tools and access we need to do our jobs and grow in our careers. Please sign this petition to ask the Commission to help NYC employers build accessibility in from day one and follow through when workers need individual support. Thank you!