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Eric Dinowitz on Legislation for Increased Accessibility and Informing Students on Financial Aid
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Council Member Eric Dinowitz presents three pieces of legislation aimed at improving accessibility in the city and informing students about financial aid opportunities.
- The first bill establishes accessibility guidelines for public facing print documents, inspired by an FDNY mailer's issues.
- The second bill focuses on creating bike storage in city-owned buildings to support alternative transportation and environmental benefits.
- The third resolution calls for New York State to mandate schools to provide thorough information on financial aid opportunities, like FAFSA and the Dream Act, to their students.
- Dinowitz emphasizes the impact of accessible information and infrastructure on creating a more inclusive and sustainable city.
Eric Dinowitz
0:33:42
Thank you, madam, a majority leader.
0:33:43
Today, I'm proud to introduce 3 pieces of legislation that seek to ensure more New Yorkers are able to access our city and the great resources and information we have.
0:33:55
The first bill I'm introducing, introduction 163.
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Is inspired by an actual mailer from the FDNY that was sent to constituents in my district.
0:34:05
Everything about this mailer was inaccessible from the font size to the colors used.
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This bill introduced in collaboration with Council member Birelli and Lee establishes accessibility guidelines and ensures that every public facing print document follows these accessibility guidelines.
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From fire safety mailers to public assistance application.
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Print documents from the city should be accessible to everyone particularly our older adults and people with disabilities.
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The 2nd bill, introduction 162, introduced alongside council member, Marte, is focused on increasing accessibility to alternative modes of transportation by creating bike storage for employees and visitors of city owned buildings.
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2023 showed record numbers for New Yorkers biking.
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And by prioritizing bike parking in public buildings, we are making cycling a more accessible and viable option for commuters contributing to a more environmentally friendly city.
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And finally, in should resolution number 75, urging the New York State legislature to acquire all schools to provide comprehensive information on post secondary financial aid opportunities including programs like FAFSA and the Dream Act to their students.
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The numbers speak for themselves.
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High school seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84%, more likely to immediately enroll in post secondary education, and that this percentage increases to a 127% among students in the lowest socioeconomic quintile.
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I urge my colleagues to support these measures as we work toward a more inclusive and SESSIBLE CITY FOR ALL.