ASL INTERPRETERS ABSENT FROM PRESS BRIEFINGS

ALBANY, NY (04/29/2020) (readMedia)-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albany, NY April 29, 2020:

Disability Rights New York (DRNY), has filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Cuomo requesting that the court immediately order Governor Andrew Cuomo to provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at his live televised press briefings.

Deaf New Yorkers do not receive critical information from the Governor and other officials about the steps taken by the government to address the health crisis and the recommendations on how they can stay safe and limit the spread of COVID-19.

"It is inexplicable that during this pandemic, the Governor would choose not to have ASL interpreters at his daily live televised briefings. As a result, deaf New Yorkers are unable to obtain vital life and death information at the time they need it most." - Timothy A. Clune, DRNY Exec. Director.

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DRNY is the designated independent non-profit Protection & Advocacy System empowered by Congress to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect and provide legal and non-legal advocacy services to people with disabilities in New York State. The Protection & Advocacy System was created by Congress as a direct result of the horrific conditions that were uncovered in the 1970's at New York's Willowbrook State School.

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DRNY is supported at tax payer expense by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Administration for Community Living; Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration; U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration; and, the Social Security Administration. This press release does not represent the views, positions or policies of, or the endorsements by, any of these federal agencies.