Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities – New York, NY

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

Championing Accessibility and Inclusion

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) acts as the primary liaison between the New York City government and the disability community. Located at 100 Gold Street in the Civic Center, MOPD works tirelessly to ensure that the rights and needs of people with disabilities are included in all City policies, programs, and projects. Established in 1973 as the Office for the Handicapped and renamed in 1990, the agency collaborates with over 50 city agencies to make New York the most accessible city in the world 🌎. MOPD’s mission encompasses a wide range of advocacy and policy work, from ensuring physical access to buildings and transportation to promoting digital accessibility and inclusive emergency preparedness.

Employment and Advocacy Programs

A cornerstone of MOPD’s work is the NYC: ATWORK program, a public-private partnership designed to connect New Yorkers with disabilities to meaningful careers and financial security. The office also actively enforces Local Law 12, which requires city agencies to develop and implement five-year accessibility plans 📜. MOPD serves as a resource for guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the NYC Human Rights Law, providing technical expertise on architectural codes and communication access. They also offer a Disability Service Facilitator (DSF) program, ensuring that every city agency has a dedicated point person to assist the public with accessibility requests.

Visiting 100 Gold Street

The MOPD is housed in a large municipal office building at 100 Gold Street, situated near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. As with most city government buildings, security is a priority. Visitors are required to pass through security screening, including metal detectors, and must present valid photo identification to the lobby security desk to receive a visitor pass. The building is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring compliant ramps, elevators, and restrooms. Visitors are encouraged to contact the office via 311 or the dedicated video phone for ASL users before visiting to ensure the appropriate staff members are available to assist them. The location is well-served by public transit, with major bus and subway lines nearby 🚌.