(October 4, 2023) Luke Sikinyi, NYAPRS

Yesterday marked the second annual DREAM (Disability Rights & Employment Awareness Month) Symposium, dedicated to recognizing the rights of individuals with disabilities, celebrating the invaluable contributions they make to the workforce, and facilitating connections between potential qualified candidates and employers.

Our own, Harvey Rosenthal, Chief Executive Officer of NYAPRS, was awarded the Advocate of the Year Award for his tireless efforts on behalf of New Yorkers with mental health, substance use, and trauma-related challenges.

The event included:

·         An in-person vendor fair.

·         An in-person job fair, sponsored by the Department of Labor, at which dozens of employers who already recognize the value of hiring of people with disabilities, were their to welcome job seekers.

·         Six workshops of interest to New York’s disability community, most specifically pertaining to the improvement of the low employment rate of people with disabilities.

·         A disability history exhibit.

NYAPRS is strongly dedicated to improving the lives of people within disabilities which includes advancing employment opportunities in the most integrated settings, and we are unwavering in our commitment. New Yorkers with disabilities are counting on us to ensure that we are doing everything we can to honor their rights, especially their right to work.

Harvey has embodied this unwavering commitment throughout his career as a staunch advocate for the inclusion and rights of people with disabilities. He reiterated his and NYAPRS’ commitment to support New Yorkers with disabilities right to live and work in the ‘most integrated setting’ through the creation of a new state Olmstead plan. We are incredibly proud to have Harvey recognized for his tireless work, leadership, and advocacy. See below to read Harvey’s written remarks for the award acceptance.

Harvey’s Acceptance Speech