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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of the NYC Commission on Human Rights
0:16:04
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77 sec
JoAnn Kamuf Ward, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs at the NYC Commission on Human Rights, introduces herself and provides an overview of the agency's role in ensuring New Yorkers can live and work free from discrimination.
- The Commission protects against discrimination based on over 25 protected categories, including disability.
- Protections cover employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Nearly one million New Yorkers live with a disability, emphasizing the importance of accessibility in civic and economic life.
JoAnn Kamuf Ward
0:16:04
Good afternoon Chair Felice, Chair Williams, members of the City Council Committee on Small Businesses and Civil and Human Rights, as well as committee staff and public advocate Williams.
0:16:15
Thank you so much for convening today's hearing.
0:16:18
As already mentioned, I'm Joanne Camafford, Deputy Commissioner for Policy and External Affairs at the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
0:16:26
And I'm joined by my colleague Michael Griffin, as well as Kitty Chan and Harris Khan from Small Business Services.
0:16:35
The Commission on Human Rights is dedicated to ensuring New Yorkers can live and work free from discrimination.
0:16:41
We appreciate today's opportunity to highlight how the New York City Human Rights Law protects against disability discrimination and how we educate the public about their rights and responsibilities.
0:16:53
More details about the agency's mandate and structure are in the written testimony that I provided, but I am aiming to be briefer than usual today so we can get to the heart of the conversation about the work that we all do and want to do together.
0:17:08
The New York City Human Rights Law protects New Yorkers against discrimination on the basis of over 25 protected categories.
0:17:15
That includes protecting people from disabilities from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.