Adam Barnes Urges Congress to Tackle 67% Disability Unemployment in New York

1 articles · Updated · Spectrum News · Sep 9

Adam Barnes, a Human Technologies employee with Asperger's syndrome, will go to Washington next week to press lawmakers for legislation expanding jobs for people with disabilities.
67% unemployment among disabled New Yorkers is driving that push, according to New York State Industries for the Disabled, which says stronger employment support would cut reliance on programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and SSDI.
Part of Barnes' message is making elements of the Preferred Source Law permanent so workers with disabilities can keep accessing government-contract jobs like his.
$15.5 billion in 2023 economic impact and more than $2 billion in related tax revenue from New York nonprofit disability service providers are central to advocates' case, alongside a survey of 1,000 voters showing bipartisan support for more opportunities.