Assemblyman David Koon (D-Perinton) announced that in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Day, the Assembly passed a package of bills to provide additional help for people with disabilities, including a bill he sponsored.

“People with disabilities often face significant obstacles and challenges in their day-to-day lives,” Assemblyman Koon said. “Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day is an opportunity to bring attention to these issues and help ease some of the burdens.”

One piece of legislation authored by Assemblyman Koon provides that ballots for elections be printed in Braille and large print (A.7196). “Voting is one of our fundamental rights,” Assemblyman Koon said. “Those wishing to vote independently or by absentee ballot currently do not have the means to do so. I urge the Senate and Governor to take this bill up for consideration so we can protect the fundamental rights of every New York voter.”

In addition, this package includes a series of bills that will make it easier for people with disabilities to bank, vote, get gas and obtain medical help and other needed services by:

• requiring ATMs to use both audio and visual systems to relay messages (A.73-A);
• requiring polling places to be accessible to physically disabled voters (A.244-A);
• ensuring, where feasible, that polling places are located on public transportation routes (A.7103);
• requiring gas stations that provide both full and self service to provide full service to people with disabilities with a handicapped parking permit at self service price (A.5954); and
• ensuring health services are accessible to the deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing so they feel comfortable accessing health care (A.7137).