Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Nisha Agarwal as the new Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities, aiming to enhance accessibility and inclusion in New York City.
NEW YORK, NY – On February 10, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a series of senior appointments across key New York City agencies, including new leadership for technology, disability affairs, and aging services. These appointments are part of the administration’s broader initiative to improve service delivery and coordination within city government.
Among the notable appointments, Nisha Agarwal has been named the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities. In this role, she will oversee efforts to ensure accessibility and inclusion across various city programs, infrastructure, and services.
Mayor Mamdani emphasized Agarwal’s extensive background in government, law, and advocacy, which he believes will enable her to effectively collaborate with various agencies and the disability community. “It’s not enough for New York City to be affordable for everyone; it must be accessible to everyone, too,” Mamdani stated while announcing her appointment. He expressed confidence that Agarwal would play a crucial role in dismantling barriers related to housing, health care, education, and other essential services.
Agarwal is a seasoned public interest attorney and a dedicated public servant whose career has primarily focused on equity, access, and the needs of vulnerable populations. Before her current role, she served as the executive director for policy and communications at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Mental Hygiene. Additionally, she held the position of deputy executive director for impact and senior adviser at the International Refugee Assistance Project, a global legal aid and advocacy organization.
During her tenure in the de Blasio administration, Agarwal led the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, where she worked on initiatives aimed at supporting immigrant communities.
In her new role, Agarwal expressed her commitment to addressing the priorities outlined by Mayor Mamdani, which she believes are vital for individuals with disabilities. “All of the priorities that Mayor Mamdani supports are critical for people with disabilities, from affordable housing and food to health care, transportation, education, and employment,” Agarwal stated. “I will work with and on behalf of disabled New Yorkers to ensure accessibility is central to how this city serves its residents.”
This appointment reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all New Yorkers, particularly those with disabilities, and signals a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by this community.
According to India West, Agarwal’s leadership is expected to bring significant improvements in accessibility and inclusion across the city.