Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
New York City Council
Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction
Apr 21, 2025
·
01:00 PM
2 hr 3 min
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Summary
A hearing on evaluating access to healthcare for patients with disabilities in New York City.
Discussions focused on:
- Physical accessibility issues in healthcare facilities
- Communication barriers
- Provider training
- Transportation challenges
- The need for inclusive decision-making processes
Specific topics included accessible medical equipment, ASL interpretation, challenges for plus-size patients, mental health needs, and culturally competent care for immigrant communities.
Features testimony from the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), NYC Health + Hospitals, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Linda Lee's opening remarks on healthcare access for patients with disabilities
Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Mental Health Disabilities and Addictions, delivers opening remarks for a joint hearing on evaluating access to healthcare for patients with disabilities. …
0:01:11
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3 min
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse addresses accessibility in healthcare facilities
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, chair of the committee on hospitals, delivers remarks on the importance of accessibility in healthcare facilities for New Yorkers with disabilities. She highlights the challenges faced …
0:04:15
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3 min
Commissioner Christina Curry's testimony on healthcare accessibility for people with disabilities
Commissioner Christina Curry of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) testifies on the challenges faced by New Yorkers with disabilities in accessing healthcare and the efforts being made …
0:09:01
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3 min
Council Member Lee's opening remarks on improving healthcare access for people with disabilities
Council Member Linda Lee opens the discussion by thanking Commissioner Curry and posing an initial question about how the council and other government entities can help increase and facilitate access …
0:12:40
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96 sec
Discussion on barriers to healthcare access for people with disabilities
Council Member Lee inquires about the biggest barriers to healthcare access for people with disabilities, particularly in hospital settings. The discussion touches on issues faced by both private practices and …
0:14:17
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85 sec
Update on the Digital Inclusion Officer (DIO) program across city agencies
Commissioner Curry provides a comprehensive update on the Digital Inclusion Officer (DIO) program, explaining its purpose, current status, and impact across city agencies. - The DIO program is voluntary, with …
0:15:43
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3 min
Process for submitting accessibility complaints on city websites
Council Member Lee inquires about the process for submitting accessibility complaints on city websites, and MOPD representatives explain the current system in place. - Most city agencies have website accessibility …
0:19:36
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101 sec
Clarification on agency responsible for overseeing website accessibility compliance
Council Member Lee seeks to clarify which agency is ultimately responsible for overseeing and enforcing website accessibility compliance across city agencies. The discussion reveals some ambiguity in the current system. …
0:21:18
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140 sec
Training requirements for housing providers on ADA compliance
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about whether housing providers and developers are required to take MOPD's trainings on barrier-free construction and ADA compliance. Commissioner Christina Curry explains that MOPD currently …
0:23:37
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98 sec
MOPD's partnerships with other city agencies
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about MOPD's partnerships with other city agencies, particularly regarding ADA compliance in older buildings. Commissioner Christina Curry confirms that MOPD has regular meetings and collaborations …
0:25:19
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68 sec
MOPD's site assessments for ADA compliance
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the nature of MOPD's site assessments mentioned in their 2024 report. Commissioner Christina Curry explains that these assessments were primarily for evaluating potential venues …
0:26:32
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81 sec
Process for handling ADA compliance complaints in residential buildings
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the process for handling ADA compliance complaints in residential buildings, particularly focusing on the partnership between MOPD and the Department of Buildings (DOB). Emily …
0:27:53
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54 sec
Suggestion for increased MOPD involvement in compliance processes
Council Member Linda Lee suggests that MOPD should have more involvement in ADA compliance processes and decisions across city agencies. She emphasizes the importance of including the voices of the …
0:28:48
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87 sec
Council Member Farah Louis questions accessibility of Disability Service Facilitators
Council Member Farah Louis inquires about the awareness and access to Disability Service Facilitators (DSFs) across city agencies. Emily Sweet from the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities responds, discussing …
0:30:15
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98 sec
H&H's accessibility measures for patients with mobility-related disabilities
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about NYC Health + Hospitals' (H&H) measures to ensure access for individuals with mobility-related disabilities. Manny Saez, Vice President of Facilities at H&H, responds by …
0:32:02
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62 sec
H&H's policies and accommodations for plus-size patients
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about NYC Health + Hospitals' (H&H) policies to ensure plus-size individuals receive appropriate healthcare. Manny Saez, Vice President of Facilities at H&H, responds by outlining …
0:33:04
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40 sec
H&H's handling of Section 1557 complaints related to disability discrimination
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the number of Section 1557 complaints NYC Health + Hospitals (H&H) received related to disability discrimination in the past year and the organization's process …
0:33:44
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59 sec
H&H's efforts to improve WCAG compliance and website accessibility
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about NYC Health + Hospitals' (H&H) efforts to increase compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer …
0:34:45
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102 sec
Training for H&H staff on providing care for patients with disabilities
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the frequency and nature of training provided to NYC Health + Hospitals (H&H) clinicians on caring for patients with disabilities. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, Chief Diversity …
0:36:27
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108 sec
Communication accommodations for deaf, hard of hearing, and visually impaired patients at H&H
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the availability of real-time communication accommodations for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have visual impairments at NYC Health + Hospitals (H&H). …
0:38:16
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57 sec
Status update on NYC H&H South Brooklyn campus (formerly Coney Island Hospital)
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the operational status and construction timeline of the NYC Health + Hospitals (H&H) Coney Island Hospital, now known as the South Brooklyn campus. Manny …
0:39:18
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35 sec
Accessibility features at the new Critical Services Tower in South Brooklyn
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about specific technologies available at the new Critical Services Tower at the South Brooklyn campus (formerly Coney Island Hospital) designed to improve accessibility for patients …
0:39:53
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62 sec
Inquiry about progress on H+H facility accessibility improvements
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the progress of accessibility improvement projects at specific H+H campuses, referencing a 2021 report and $2.5 million in City Council investment. Manny Saez, VP …
0:40:57
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46 sec
Discussion on wheelchair accessibility at H+H facilities
Council Member Narcisse inquires about wheelchair accessibility at H+H hospital locations and Gotham Health Center campuses, particularly focusing on older buildings. Manny Saez responds with information about H+H's compliance with …
0:41:43
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105 sec
Resources and career opportunities for employees with disabilities at H+H
Council Member Narcisse inquires about H+H's policies for providing resources and career opportunities for employees with disabilities. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer at NYC Health and Hospitals, …
0:43:30
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52 sec
Telehealth reimbursement and community partnerships for accessibility
Council Member Narcisse inquires about telehealth reimbursement for patients with mobility-related disabilities and explores ideas for community partnerships to improve accessibility. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano responds to these inquiries. - Commercial insurance …
0:44:23
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142 sec
EMS procedures for transferring patients with disabilities
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the procedures followed by EMS and EMT personnel when transferring custody of patients with disabilities from ambulances to hospital personnel. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano responds to this …
0:46:45
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28 sec
Frequency of website and digital resource accessibility reviews
Council Member Narcisse inquires about how often H+H reviews their website and other digital resources to ensure compliance with current accessibility standards. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano provides information on the review process. …
0:47:17
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31 sec
Communication about transportation barriers to H+H facilities
Council Member Narcisse inquires whether H+H communicates with patients about nearby public transportation issues that might affect accessibility to their facilities. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano responds, and Narcisse suggests looking into improving …
0:47:49
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64 sec
Consideration of billing for accessibility accommodations
Council Member Narcisse raises questions about billing for accommodation and accessibility services, particularly focusing on reimbursement for qualified ASL interpreters. She notes that this issue should be looked into further. …
0:48:54
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31 sec
Barriers to implementing accessible healthcare and potential council assistance
Council Member Narcisse inquires about the barriers to implementing accessible healthcare and how the council can work with H+H and the city to improve access for patients with disabilities. Ivelesse …
0:49:17
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33 sec
Consideration of potential Medicaid cuts on disability services
Council Member Narcisse inquires whether H+H has considered the impact of potential cuts to Medicaid on the provision of services, especially for adults with disabilities. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano responds with H+H's …
0:49:52
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36 sec
Council Member Marmorato questions NYC Health + Hospitals about radiology exams for plus-size patients
Council Member Kristy Marmorato engages in a discussion with NYC Health + Hospitals representatives about radiology exams and equipment accommodations for plus-size patients. She inquires about weight limits on various …
0:50:42
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107 sec
Council Member Bottcher inquires about Access-A-Ride and transportation barriers
Council Member Erik D. Bottcher raises concerns about transportation barriers for people with disabilities, focusing on Access-A-Ride. He acknowledges some improvements over the past 15 years but notes ongoing issues …
0:52:36
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61 sec
Commissioner Curry discusses MOPD's involvement with MTA and Access-A-Ride
Commissioner Christina Curry of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) responds to Council Member Bottcher's question about Access-A-Ride, highlighting MOPD's increased involvement with the MTA. - Curry acknowledges …
0:53:42
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31 sec
Discussion on the need for improvement in Access-A-Ride services
Council Member Bottcher and Commissioner Curry engage in a discussion about the current state of Access-A-Ride services and the need for significant improvements. - Both acknowledge some progress in the …
0:54:13
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146 sec
Commissioner Curry emphasizes the universal benefits of accessibility
Commissioner Christina Curry expands the discussion to highlight how improving accessibility for people with disabilities benefits various groups in society. - Curry mentions MOPD's ongoing collaboration with MTA on various …
0:56:40
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60 sec
Council Member Lee concludes the discussion on Access-A-Ride
Council Member Linda Lee provides brief closing remarks, acknowledging the extensive nature of the Access-A-Ride topic. - Lee mentions that entire day hearings have been dedicated to Access-A-Ride in the …
0:57:44
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10 sec
DOHMH's five-year accessibility plan and facility renovations
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about DOHMH's five-year accessibility plan and the status of facility renovations to ensure accessibility. Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen responds, explaining that while DOHMH facilities are …
0:57:55
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117 sec
Capital budget allocation for DOHMH accessibility upgrades
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the capital budget allocation for DOHMH accessibility upgrades. Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen explains that while she doesn't have the exact total budget figure, a …
0:59:52
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116 sec
Accessible facility signage in DOHMH buildings
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the status of accessible facility signage in DOHMH buildings. Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen responds that this is an ongoing project with some progress made …
1:01:52
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34 sec
Updating DOHMH digital materials for audiovisual accessibility
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the status of DOHMH digital materials' audiovisual accessibility. Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen explains the ongoing efforts to improve digital accessibility across the agency. - …
1:02:26
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120 sec
DOHMH's efforts to improve workplace inclusion for people with disabilities
Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen details DOHMH's initiatives to improve workplace inclusion for people with disabilities. She highlights several key efforts and their positive impacts on the agency's culture. - Created …
1:04:26
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157 sec
Communication training for DOHMH employees to improve accessibility
Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen outlines the communication training opportunities provided to DOHMH employees aimed at improving accessibility with external patients and partners. - All employees are mandated to take the …
1:07:04
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72 sec
Training for DOHMH clinical staff on providing care to patients with disabilities
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about the training DOHMH clinical staff receive on providing appropriate and respectful care to patients with disabilities. The discussion reveals some uncertainty about the specifics …
1:08:16
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67 sec
Council Member Narcisse inquires about accessibility features and staff training
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about accessibility features in city buildings, particularly focusing on elevator access for people with disabilities. She also asks about the frequency of training for clinic …
1:09:23
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95 sec
Testimony by Evan Yankey, Advocacy Director of Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled
Evan Yankey, representing the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, testified about the barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing healthcare in New York City. He urged the …
1:19:17
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164 sec
Testimony by Nina Shields, Pro Bono Scholar of the Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
Nina Shields from NYLPI's Disability Justice Program testifies about the barriers to healthcare access for people with disabilities in New York City, despite legal protections. She highlights the need for …
1:22:12
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124 sec
Testimony by Andrew Sta. Ana, Interim Co-Executive Director of Asian American Federation (AAF)
Andrew Sta. Ana, representing the Asian American Federation, testified on healthcare access for people with disabilities, focusing on the challenges faced by Asian New Yorkers. He highlighted the increased mental …
1:24:19
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131 sec
Testimony by Sonyong Lee, Bilingual Counselor at Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)
Sonyong Lee, a bilingual counselor at the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC), testified about the challenges faced by immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in accessing mental health care, especially …
1:26:36
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137 sec
Testimony by Elinor LaTouche, Executive Director of Epilepsy Institute, on Mental Health Needs for Epilepsy Patients
Elinor LaTouche, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Institute, testified about the mental health needs of individuals with epilepsy in New York City. She highlighted the prevalence of epilepsy, its impact …
1:29:51
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166 sec
Testimony by Chelsea Rose, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Care for the Homeless
Chelsea Rose from Care for the Homeless testified about challenges in providing healthcare to homeless individuals with disabilities. She highlighted issues with telemedicine reimbursement, an aging shelter population, and long-term …
1:32:42
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145 sec
Testimony by Sharon Brown on Mental Health and Healthcare System Changes
Sharon Brown testifies about implementing biblical teachings into the health system, particularly focusing on changes to the mental health system. She argues for updating access to care and reassessing mental …
1:35:09
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128 sec
Testimony by Neal Kalish, Representative of United Ambulette Coalition
Neal Kalish, representing the United Ambulette Coalition, testifies about the critical transportation services provided by ambulettes for disabled and elderly Medicaid enrollees in New York City. He highlights the challenges …
1:37:22
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3 min
Council Member Lee's response to ambulette parking challenges
Council Member Linda Lee acknowledges the issues raised by the ambulette service representative regarding parking challenges and patient drop-offs. She recognizes the complexity of balancing the needs of various road …
1:40:49
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52 sec
Council members' closing remarks on ambulette services
Multiple council members offer brief closing remarks on the testimony about ambulette services. They express understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by ambulette providers in dropping off patients safely. …
1:41:49
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38 sec
Testimony by Mbacke Thiam, Housing and Health Committee Organizer at Center for Independence of the Disabled New York (CIDNY)
Mbacke Thiam from CIDNY advocated for improved healthcare access for patients with disabilities, emphasizing the need for language assistance, disability training for healthcare workers, and addressing physical accessibility issues. He …
1:43:37
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129 sec
Testimony by Kathleen Collins, Board Member of Disabled in Action in Metropolitan New York, on Healthcare Access for People with Disabilities
Kathleen Collins, a board member of Disabled in Action in Metropolitan New York, provided testimony on healthcare access issues for people with disabilities. She focused on transportation challenges, particularly with …
1:45:56
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4 min
Testimony by Miranda DeNovo, Founder of Long COVID Safety Net
Miranda DeNovo, founder of Long COVID Safety Net, testified about communication access issues affecting people with long COVID and other chronic illnesses who are unable to make phone calls due …
1:50:31
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3 min
Testimony by Melissa O'Brien, Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at Project Renewal
Melissa O'Brien, Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at Project Renewal, testified about the challenges people with mental illness and disabilities face in accessing healthcare. She highlighted how Project Renewal addresses …
1:53:53
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122 sec
Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public, on Mental Health Access
Christopher Leon Johnson testified in support of the committee's work on mental health access, emphasizing the need for broader recognition and treatment of mental health issues beyond just severe conditions …
1:56:00
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129 sec
Testimony by Avonne Parra on Inadequate Gender-Affirming Care in Hospitals
Avonne Parra testified about the inadequate gender-affirming care in hospitals, highlighting violations of patients' legal rights and the need for better staff training on gender identity issues. Parra emphasized the …
1:59:05
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67 sec