New York State Lights State Landmarks Red, White and Gold to Hono...

NYS Neurodiversity Strength Flag Created by Long Island Resident Josh Mirsky Raised at Jones Beach State Park on April 1 Kicking Off Autism Acceptance Month Symbolizing Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Accessible Parks and Open Spaces for All New Yorkers

April 1, 2026, Wantagh, NY – April is National Autism Acceptance Month and New York is lighting up state buildings and other landmarks in red, white and gold to celebrate the strength, diversity, and pride of neurodiverse New Yorkers on April 2nd. This marks the first use of the new colors which were specifically chosen by New Yorkers with autism who did not feel that the national color, which is blue, adequately represented themselves as people who are living their lives as someone with autism. To kick off Autism Acceptance Month, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) joined the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) at Jones Beach State Park on April 1 to raise New York State’s Neurodiversity Strength Flag and highlight recent accessibility upgrades made to the park under Governor Hochul’s leadership to make New York state more inclusive for people with disabilities.

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, “Here in New York State, we are so fortunate to have a Governor who celebrates the value that people with developmental disabilities add to our communities and who is committed to making our state lands more accessible for all to enjoy. I am so proud to fly New York’s Neurodiversity Strength Flag to represent belonging for the tens of thousands of self-neurodiverse New Yorkers who add value to our families, workplaces, and communities. The new colors of red, white, and gold selected to illuminate New York’s landmark buildings shift the narrative from one of acceptance to one of celebration.”

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “In honor of National Autism Acceptance Month, we are proud to raise the Neurodiversity Strength Flag at Jones Beach State Park and on Long Island, where it was first designed. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, and in partnership with OPWDD, we are celebrating neurodiversity and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring all are welcome at parks across New York State.”

Governor Hochul took the opportunity in her State of the State address to redouble her commitment to making New York State more accessible for people with disabilities, including New Yorkers with autism. Her initiatives will help students with disabilities access and succeed in higher education with the creation of a for-credit inclusive post-secondary education at SUNY and CUNY campuses. The Governor’s State of the State address also called on the New York State Department of Health’s Disability and Health program to collect and analyze data about people with developmental disabilities’ experiences with access to healthcare, increased access to American Sign Language Translation and improve reading and language acquisition for deaf children, and a new initiative called “These Lands are for Everyone” to help make our parks and open spaces accessible to all New Yorkers.

OPRHP’s commitment to increasing accessibility for all is evidenced by current renovations to the Jones Beach East Bathhouse which will bring the historic facility to modern accessibility standards. It includes a new accessible zero-entry pool and ADA splashpad with accessible lockers, additional ADA restrooms, and three family restrooms equipped with adult changing stations – the first such installation within the New York State Parks system. This feature will greatly help people with disabilities, their families and caregivers to enjoy Jones Beach. East Bathhouse is expected to open in this summer. Recent renovations completed by Live Nation’s Northwell at Jones Beach Theater included two additional accessible seating areas bringing the total to nine, ADA restrooms, an additional elevator, and walkway improvements. Live Nation also created an accessibility unit of 10 staff members to assist concert goers with disabilities.

In 2022, New York’s Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Board held a design contest for the creation of New York’s first Neurodiversity Strength Flag. Nearly 40 designs were received and people with lived experience voted on the final design selected, which was designed by self-advocate and OPWDD Peer Specialist Josh Mirsky.

New York’s Neurodiversity Strength Flag is red and gold and features an infinity sign inside a diamond, symbolizing strength and value. Winning artist Josh Mirsky said he chose red “because it is a powerful color; we want society to take us seriously...Gold means ‘1st place,’ it represents value; we are not second or third-class citizens. The infinity symbol stands for autism acceptance.”