New York voters overwhelmingly support expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities, advocates and business leaders said during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 27, at Spectrum Designs in Port Washington.
The news conference brought together representatives from New York State Industries for the Disabled, Spectrum Designs, the governor’s office and local government to highlight new statewide polling and a report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government examining the economic impact of employment programs for people with disabilities.
The event also renewed a push to make New York’s Preferred Source program permanent by removing a provision that requires the program’s authorization to be periodically renewed by the state Legislature.
Maureen O’Brien (L.), president & CEO of New York State Institute for the Disabiled and Patrick Bardsley (R.), co-founder and CEO of Spectrum Designs discussed the new research.
“85% of all voters in New York state think that disability employment should be a priority,” said Maureen O’Brien, president and CEO and co-founder of New York State Industries for the Disabled. “90% think that the Preferred Source program should be expanded and have priority in the Legislature to be expanded.”
The survey, conducted by Global Strategy Group on behalf of NYSID, polled 1,000 registered New York voters from April 13 to April 20. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
O’Brien said NYSID is preparing to seek renewal of the legislation when the Legislature reconvenes in January. She said sponsors in both the Senate and Assembly are expected to move the legislation forward, with the organization seeking to ultimately make the program permanent.
The Preferred Source program allows state agencies and other public entities to purchase goods and services from organizations that employ people with disabilities.
John Beyer shared how Spectrum Designs provided his son with a job and a paycheck.
NYSID’s work, according to the Rockefeller Institute report, has a significant economic impact across the state. The report found that NYSID facilitated a $292 million contract portfolio that employed nearly 5,000 workers with disabilities. Those businesses generated $470 million in economic output, supported the equivalent of 4,794 full-time jobs and provided nearly $80 million in wages.
O’Brien said NYSID worked with about 100 agencies across the state and handled about 3,000 contracts, describing the network as a ready-made system for expanding employment opportunities.
“These are folks going to work, participating in their communities, paying taxes, just like everybody else,” O’Brien said.
Spectrum Designs CEO and 2026-27 said the organization demonstrates what can happen when people with disabilities have access to meaningful employment.
Spectrum Designs, a full-service brand and merchandise business headquartered in Port Washington, operates three locations. More than 70% of its workforce is made up of people with disabilities, according to Bardsley.
Kelli Fisher, an employee at Spectrum Designs, shared how the company changed her life. Larissa Fuentes
Bardsley said Spectrum Designs has been a member of NYSID for more than a decade and that the Preferred Source program has helped make New York state its largest customer.
“The report shows that people with disabilities want to work, they want to contribute, and they want to build independent lives,” Bardsley said. “But, unfortunately, too many are still facing barriers that stand in the way.”
Among those barriers are concerns about losing health care and other public benefits, complicated eligibility requirements and a lack of employment supports, according to the Rockefeller Institute research.
Joseph Ramirez, Nassau County regional representative for the governor’s office, said Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Executive Order 40 established New York as an “Employment First” state, emphasizing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
“All New Yorkers deserve to work with dignity, regardless of ability,” Ramirez said.
North Hempstead Town Council Member Mariann Dalimonte also called on state lawmakers to eliminate the sunset provision.
“When we support Preferred Source businesses, we are investing in people and in our communities,” DeMonte said. “We are helping individuals develop skills, gain valuable work experience, earn a paycheck and build confidence.”
She said the benefits extend beyond individual workers to their families, employers, communities and taxpayers.
“New York state elected officials, please, I am asking you to help make this legislation permanent and to end the existing sunset,” Dalimonte said.
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena praised Spectrum Designs and other organizations for creating opportunities for people with disabilities and said the community benefits from their work.
“We need this product. You put out the best, the best products,” DeSena said. “But most importantly, is that we all are valued and that we all contribute.”
For Kelli Fisher, a marketing development specialist at Spectrum Designs, the issue is personal. She spoke about her experience working in marketing and social media and the confidence and independence she has gained through her career.
“Employment is about so much more than a paycheck,” Fisher said. “It’s about being valued, being a part of a team, learning, growing and knowing that your work matters.”
She said people with disabilities need opportunities to demonstrate their abilities rather than sympathy.
“I hope my story reminds people that individuals with disabilities don’t need sympathy. We need opportunities,” she said.
John Beyer, a Port Washington resident and business owner whose son has worked at Spectrum Designs for 15 years, also spoke about the organization’s importance. Beyer said his son, who has autism, was unable to secure paid employment after spending three years training at a large retail store.
Spectrum Designs ultimately hired him, allowing him to earn a paycheck for the past 15 years, Beyer said.
Beyer said Spectrum Designs provides an opportunity that is difficult to find elsewhere.
“It’s just amazing, and it’s so enriching for these people to get a paycheck, and really earn a living,” he said.
The press conference concluded with O’Brien reiterating NYSID’s goal of eliminating the sunset provision and making the Preferred Source program permanent when lawmakers return in January.
“We need the sunset taken off the Preferred Source Law, and we’re going to work on that in January,” O’Brien said. “So I hope that we can get everyone’s support.”