REMARKS
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez opens Technology Committee hearing on accessibility bills
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Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, chair of the Committee on Technology, opens a hearing to discuss several bills aimed at improving accessibility to city services. She introduces the bills under consideration, emphasizes the importance of accessibility for all New Yorkers, and sets the stage for testimony from the Office of Technology and Innovation.
- Intros 138, 646, and 197 are the main bills being discussed, focusing on sign language PSAs, text-to-911 accessibility, and language availability for emergency services.
- Gutiérrez stresses the need for accessibility beyond physical spaces, including for deaf, hard of hearing, and non-English speaking individuals.
- The council member acknowledges committee staff, present committee members, and reminds attendees about available ASL translation.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
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Thank you, and good afternoon.
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I'm council member Jennifer Gutierrez, chair of the Committee on Technology.
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Today, we will be discussing several bills, all of them addressing improvement to the accessibility to city services.
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Intro 138, sponsored by council member Brooks Powers in relation to sign language public service announcements for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing on Link NYC kiosks.
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Intro 646, sponsored by council member Riley, in relation to accessibility for the deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf blind community in the implementation of text to 911 and intro 197 sponsored by myself in relation to requiring text to 911 and Next Generation 911 to be available in the designated city languages.
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Excuse me.
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In our diversity, accessibility must extend beyond physical spaces.
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It is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities or the language they speak, can fully access the resources, information, and services that the city offers.
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This includes people who are deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with visual and other disabilities, and the growing number of people who speak languages other than English.
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By improving accessibility, we are not only addressing barriers, but also building an inclusive and equitable community where everyone belongs.
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Today, I wanna hear from the administration and disability advocates about the changes we can make to improve accessibility into critical services like 9 one one and make a real difference in their daily lives.
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I'd like to thank the technology committee staff, policy analyst Eric Brown, legislative counsel Irene Byowski, and my senior adviser Anya Lyra for their work in putting this hearing together.
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I'd also like to recognize the technology committee members who are here with us today, council member Eric Bodger and via Zoom, council member Bob Holden.
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And, lastly, I would just like to remind folks that we have ASL translation available today.
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So reminder a reminder to myself, certainly, to speak clearly and slowly so we can capture everything.
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I'll now turn it over no?
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Okay.
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Oh, great.
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Just continue to step up.
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Okay.
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Today, we will hear Office of Technology and Innovation.
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Thank you for being here.
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Followed by testimonies from the public.
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Now, I want to welcome Robert Barbera, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety and Emergency Management.
