In a major local government leadership appointment announced on February 12, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has selected Nisha Agarwal to serve as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), positioning her at the forefront of efforts to advance accessibility, equity, and inclusion across the nation’s largest city.

Agarwal’s selection represents both a significant milestone in her distinguished career as a public interest attorney and civic advocate and a notable moment for South Asian American representation in municipal governance. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, she brings a deeply rooted commitment to equity and community empowerment to this leadership role. Her appointment comes at a time when disability rights and accessibility are increasingly central to public policy discussions at all levels of government.

The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities is charged with advocating for and coordinating citywide policies that ensure people with disabilities can fully participate in New York City’s civic, economic, and social life. The role of commissioner involves working across city agencies to improve transportation access, affordable housing, employment opportunities, public education, and other critical services for the millions of residents who identify as living with a disability.

Before this appointment, Agarwal built a broad and impactful portfolio of public service and advocacy work. She previously served in leadership roles at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, focusing on policy and communications that intersect with public health and mental wellbeing. Earlier in her career, she was Executive Director for Policy and Communications for the Division of Mental Hygiene, where she partnered with community stakeholders and city leaders to address complex health issues affecting vulnerable populations.

Agarwal also served as Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs under the Bill de Blasio administration, where she helped launch IDNYC, the city’s widely praised municipal identification program that expanded access to services for immigrant New Yorkers. Her tenure in that role was marked by coalition building and innovative policy strategies that strengthened inclusion and civic participation.

Beyond city government, Agarwal has worked with national and international advocacy organizations. She held senior advisory and leadership positions at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), where she supported global legal aid and advocacy efforts. She also co-founded and directed major advocacy initiatives in the nonprofit sector, including advancing disability justice within broader social justice movements and influencing public policy through legal frameworks.

In announcing her appointment, Mayor Mamdani described Agarwal as a seasoned policy expert whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to equity and access. He emphasized her ability to work across government and civil society to create measurable improvements in the daily lives of New Yorkers with disabilities. Her leadership is expected to drive forward the administration’s stated goal of making city services, infrastructure, and opportunities more inclusive for all residents, with disability rights as a central pillar.

Agarwal’s own remarks highlight her personal and professional investment in this mission. In her first public statement as commissioner, she noted that the priorities of the Mamdani administration – including affordable housing, accessible transportation, health and mental health support, and equitable employment – are all critically important to people with disabilities. She emphasized that her office will work to integrate disability considerations into every aspect of city governance, ensuring that inclusion isn’t treated as an add-on but as a core objective.

Her appointment arrives amid ongoing conversations in New York City and nationwide about the need to reduce barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing essential services and participating fully in community life. Public transportation systems, public buildings, educational institutions, and workplaces continue to pose challenges for accessibility despite legal protections established under the Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws. Agarwal’s leadership in MOPD positions her to shape policy responses that aim to close these gaps more effectively.

For South Asian American communities – particularly those engaged in public policy and civic leadership – Agarwal’s appointment is part of a broader narrative of increasing representation in senior roles within U.S. government. Her career reflects the impact that immigrant-rooted leaders can have on large, complex municipal systems and the ways that diverse backgrounds enrich public service leadership.

As Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Agarwal will be expected to collaborate with advocacy groups, community leaders, and city agencies to implement citywide policies that empower residents of all abilities. Her work will likely focus on amplifying disabled voices in policymaking, dismantling structural obstacles to access, and aligning city resources with the lived realities of people with disabilities.

Key Takeaways About Nisha Agarwal

• Nisha Agarwal was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. 
• Her career spans legal advocacy, immigrant rights, public health policy, and civic leadership. 
• The role puts her at the center of citywide disability inclusion and accessibility efforts. 
• Agarwal brings experience from leadership roles in city government and nonprofit advocacy. 
• Her appointment underscores growing South Asian American leadership in U.S. municipal governance.