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Several New York state Senators and Assembly members say they were surprised to learn that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration does not provide internet access to people living in state-run group homes and other congregant settings, and they want that fixed immediately.
Senator James Skoufis, the chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, says two of his constituents alerted him to the lack of Wi-Fi at the state-run group homes. Phil and Maryann Smith’s daughter Michelle, who has a disability, was living at a state-run home when the COVID-19 pandemic started last March. They were not allowed to visit her, and she had no internet access to visit with them virtually. Skoufis, a Democrat, said he was shocked to learn that no facility operated by the state’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, or OPWDD, provides broadband access for residents.
WBFO Albany Correspondent Karen Dewitt reports
Sen. James Skoufis, chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, said two of his constituents alerted him to the lack of Wi-Fi at the homes. Phil and Maryann Smith’s daughter Michelle, who has a disability, was living at a state-run home when the COVID-19 pandemic started last March. They were not allowed to visit her and she had no internet access to visit them virtually.
Skoufis said he was shocked to learn that no facility operated by the state’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides broadband access for residents.
Doug Hovey with Independent Living Inc. speaks of the need for Wi-Fi service for state-run homes for New Yorkers with disabilities. At left is Sen. James Skoufis; behind him and to the right is Alex Thompson of the New York Association on Independent Living and Sens. Samra Brouck and John Mannion. Photo: Karen Dewitt
Jan 25, 2021 Several state senators and Assembly members say they were surprised to learn that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration does not provide internet access to people living in state-run group homes and other congregant settings, and they want that fixed immediately.
Several state senators and Assembly members say they were surprised to learn that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration does not provide internet access to people living in state-run group homes and other congregant settings and they want that fixed immediately.