As the Center for Disability Rights, we believe in a future where policy is shaped with Disabled people — not around or in spite of us. That’s why we have to speak out.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s record on Disability issues was deeply harmful. From our standpoint as an organization fighting every day for the rights of Disabled and institutionalized people, his administration consistently undermined efforts to advance Disability Justice.

We won’t forget the barriers his leadership created or the lives that were lost because of it.

Throughout his time as Governor, Cuomo had a consistent pattern: veto after veto of legislation designed to expand rights and access for Disabled New Yorkers. These weren’t fringe bills — they were key efforts supported by the Disability community, crafted by advocates, and backed by evidence. He blocked them anyway.

When we talk about systemic ableism in government, Cuomo’s tenure is a prime example.

ASL Interpreters Denied

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo’s daily press briefings were hailed for their clarity. But if you were Deaf or hard of hearing, you were shut out, because he refused to provide an in-person American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.

Only after being sued did, he comply. Even then, he did not want to be in the same room as the interpreter. This was more than a symbolic failure; it was an access violation that sent a chilling message: that Deaf New Yorkers didn’t matter enough to be informed in real time.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Designed Without Us

When the COVID vaccine became available, the rollout in New York State his administration ignored basic accessibility. One glaring example: in Rochester, the site chosen was largely inaccessible by public transportation — cutting off Disabled people who don’t drive or can’t walk long distances.

Advocates flagged the issue. We reached out to the Governor’s office. We offered solutions. They shut us out. This wasn’t just neglect. It was a refusal to engage.

This rollout failed to meet the needs of our community because it wasn’t built with us in mind.

The Nursing Home Deaths

Then, there are the 14,000+ nursing facility residents who died during the pandemic — the vast majority of whom were low-income Disabled Medicaid recipients, many of them Disabled.

Research has shown that while Disabled people in the community and those in congregate settings had similar fatality rates once infected, those in nursing homes were 11 times more likely to be infected in the first place.

That means over 12,700 people could have survived if they had been given the chance to socially distance outside of institutions.

But instead of investing in emergency deinstitutionalization strategies, Cuomo’s administration actively blocked initiatives that advocates — including CDR — fought to advance. These initiatives would have helped nursing home residents transition to safer community-based settings during the pandemic.

We were ignored. And people died.

This wasn’t just a public health failure — it was a civil rights failure.

No Apology. No Accountability.

To this day, Cuomo has not apologized to the Disability community. He has not taken responsibility. He has not engaged in dialogue with advocates or offered a vision for how to repair the harm his administration caused.

From our perspective, this lack of accountability is disqualifying.

If a politician’s policies and inaction are linked to the deaths of over 10,000 Disabled New Yorkers, and they don’t even acknowledge that harm… What does that say about their values? About whose lives matter in their vision of leadership?

A New Path Forward

Cuomo’s failure in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary race — is important to recognize.

We know that representation alone is not enough. But we also know that change begins with listening, inclusion, and a willingness to challenge entrenched systems of oppression.

The future mayor of New York City should show a willingness to meet with advocates, to center marginalized voices, and to take seriously the policy solutions offered by the Disability community. The Disability Community is hopeful about working with the new administration to support meaningful progress.