Disability Rights Employment Awareness Month Exhibit Now on View...

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy and New York State Chief Disability Officer (CDO) Kimberly Ridley today announced the opening of a new Disability Rights Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) exhibit at the Governor’s Reception Room in the New York State Capitol. Titled “New York’s Blueprint for Disability Access: Past, Present, and Future,” the exhibit is now on display in the Governor’s Reception Room. 

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “New Yorkers with disabilities have a fundamental right to equitable opportunities in the workplace. Governor Hochul has made it a priority to ensure New York State continues to lead as a model inclusive employer. This powerful exhibit shares the stories of the fierce advocates and groundbreaking legislation that paved the way for that vision, reminding us that building a truly accessible, dignified workforce is a continuous journey shaped by tireless activism.” 

New York State Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, “Disability Rights and Employment Awareness Month (DREAM) is a powerful reminder to all New Yorkers that inclusive employment is not just a goal, but a standard we must continually uphold. This year’s exhibition at the Capitol honors the trailblazing advocates who paved the way while highlighting the talent and value New Yorkers with disabilities bring to our workforce every day. I am deeply grateful to both my team and our partners at OGS for their dedication and creativity in bringing this powerful exhibit to life. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we remain dedicated to building on this historic foundation, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that every New Yorker has equal opportunity to succeed in a career of their choice.” 

Reflecting the 2026 National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) national theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” the exhibit underscores the state’s ongoing commitment to advancing disability equity. Highlights of the installation include: 

• Compelling accounts of prominent advocates, including Eunice Fiorito, Willie Mae Goodman, and Judith “Judy” Heumann, whose leadership and activism advanced reforms and elevated national awareness of disability rights. 

• A look back at pivotal moments in the disability rights movement’s progression, such as the closure of the Willowbrook State School and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), illustrating the enduring impact of sustained advocacy. 

The free DREAM exhibit will be on view in the Governor’s Reception Room on the second floor of the New York State Capitol until October 31. The Capitol is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The exhibit space will not be open to the public on Monday, October 12.  

For those unable to attend in person, more information and the full exhibition, including its American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, can be viewed online on the exhibit’s webpage.