Nisha Agarwal has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in New York City, focusing on accessibility and equity reforms for residents with disabilities.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Nisha Agarwal as the new Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Agarwal, a seasoned public servant and advocate for immigrant rights, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
The daughter of Indian immigrants, Agarwal has a strong background in public interest law and civic engagement. Her selection signals a significant shift in the city’s advocacy efforts, particularly under the leadership of the youngest mayor in New York City history.
Previously, Agarwal served as the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs during the Bill de Blasio administration. In that capacity, she played a crucial role in launching IDNYC, the city’s municipal identification program, which aimed to provide identification to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
Most recently, Agarwal worked at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she focused on the intersection of policy and mental health. This experience further enhances her commitment to serving New York’s most vulnerable populations.
In her new role, Agarwal will be responsible for ensuring that New York’s infrastructure—ranging from transit and housing to education and employment—is inclusive for the millions of residents living with disabilities.
“I am honored to lead the MOPD,” Agarwal stated. She highlighted the administration’s core priorities, such as affordable housing and accessible transportation, as essential for the disability community. “I will work with and on behalf of disabled New Yorkers to tackle these issues and ensure that people with disabilities are at the forefront of creating a more livable city for all,” she added.
Agarwal’s appointment comes at a critical moment. Advocates have been closely watching how Mayor Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform of radical accessibility, would fill this important position. By choosing Agarwal, the administration is relying on a policy expert known for her ability to build broad coalitions.
Agarwal succeeds Christina Curry, who led the office for four years during the Adams administration. While Curry was recognized for her lived experience as a deaf and blind woman of color, Agarwal’s background as a systemic reformer suggests a focus on institutionalizing accessibility across all city agencies.
The transition has been met with a mix of anticipation and scrutiny. For many advocates, the true test of Agarwal’s leadership will be her ability to translate the administration’s ambitious promises into tangible improvements in the daily lives of New Yorkers with disabilities. Challenges such as navigating the subway system and securing equitable job opportunities remain significant hurdles.
As she steps into her new role, Agarwal’s first priority will likely be aligning the MOPD’s objectives with Mamdani’s broader “people-first” agenda. This alignment is crucial to ensuring that disability rights are not treated as an afterthought but are instead recognized as a central pillar of city governance.
According to The American Bazaar, Agarwal’s extensive experience and commitment to advocacy position her well to lead the MOPD during this pivotal time.