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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Angel Hernandez, Director of Government Relations at New York Botanical Garden
7:35:10
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139 sec
Angel Hernandez from the New York Botanical Garden advocates for the creation of a new citywide initiative called "Rooted in Accessibility" to enhance and expand accessible programming at botanical gardens. He requests an allocation of $250,000 for NYBG as part of a $1,000,000 total funding for this initiative in fiscal year 2026.
- The initiative aims to expand ASL tours, memory care sensory tours, touch tours, and programs for neurodivergent individuals.
- Funding would also provide necessary training for staff and volunteers.
- Partnerships with local schools, senior centers, and VA hospitals would benefit from this initiative.
Angel Hernandez
7:35:10
afternoon, Chair Lee, Chair Schulman, and members of the committee.
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I am Angel Hernandez, Director of Government Relations for the New York Botanical Garden.
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Thank you for granting us this platform and for your ongoing support for accessibility programming at our institutions.
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As stewards of some of our city's natural green spaces, NYBG stands with its fellow coalition partners today to advocate for the creation of a new citywide initiative called Rooted in Accessibility.
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This important initiative will be a special funding opportunity in fiscal year twenty twenty six to enhance and expand accessible programming at each of our botanical gardens.
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Since 1891, NYBG has been revered as one of the last vanishing oases of tranquility amidst a growing metropolis.
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Yet as populations grew over the years, so has the demand to meet the needs for citizens with an array of disabilities.
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And it presents challenges for the garden to maintain sufficient resources to ensure adequate attention for this special demographic.
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This is why NYBG, with our coalition partners, seek an allocation of $250,000 each from the 1,000,000 total funding for the rooted in accessibility initiative.
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New funding provides the following potentials for expansion enhancements for expanding our a s a ASL tours, more memory care sensory tours, also the same for touch tours, working with groups with neurodivergence intellectual and developmental disabilities, more early morning sensory events, and more multi sensory tables for new exhibitions and annual staple events like our holiday train show and Orchid show.
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In addition, new funding through the Rooted in Accessibility Initiative would provide necessary training whether it be led in house or by outside consultants for both staff and volunteers.
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Also, partners with our Boroughs District seventy five schools, senior centers, and local VA hospital for example will benefit benefit them for this newly funded initiative.
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Therefore, we ask for your support in creating the rooted in accessibility new initiative to allow us resource and ability in this remarkable endeavor.
7:37:29
Thank you.