NYSEG and RG&E Advocate for Customers with Disabilities

July is Disability Pride Month
 

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — July 25, 2025 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are highlighting the important work they do to accommodate customers with a disability and other vulnerable populations in recognition of Disability Pride Month. 

 

“Customers with a disability deserve equitable opportunities to access the same information as everyone else,” said Jackie Sykas, a customer advocate for NYSEG and RG&E. “This Disability Pride Month, we recognize the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We take pride in our year-round advocacy work for individuals who need additional assistance.”

 

The Companies provide services to support customers with disabilities. Individuals with a visual impairment are given invoices and newsletters with text that is significantly larger than a typical invoice. All customers with a TTY Relay can dial 711, which will connect them to the New York Relay Service to communicate with the Companies’ Customer Service team. 

 

NYSEG and RG&E have a team of customer advocates whose role is to work with customers and make accommodations for them based on their unique circumstance. For example, customer advocates assist customers who may have a specific medical need which depends on electricity. Advocates also partner with outside agencies, which allow NYSEG and RG&E to assist individuals with life emergencies that extend beyond their utility account. Having advocates allows NYSEG and RG&E to better identify vulnerability and ensure they are getting the protections that they need. 

 

“We appreciate the efforts by NYSEG and RG&E to accommodate people with disabilities.” said Luke Mayo, Director of Business Relations at Job Path, a division of The Arc of Monroe. “Their customer advocates play an important role in providing equitable access to important information to all populations. Their work helps to empower our community.”

 

The Companies’ care about making a difference in the community. Last July, the Oswego-based ARISE Ramp Program teamed with NYSEG and RG&E to aid an individual who had difficulty entering and exiting their home. This individual used a wheelchair for mobility. However, steps at their home made it virtually impossible for them to leave. NYSEG and RG&E volunteers helped install a ramp to make it possible for this person to enter and exit their home safely.

 

“The relationship between the NYSEG and RG&E and ARISE flourished from there and two other ramps we installed,” said Scott Pecoy, Ramp Coordinator at ARISE. “This relationship was key to helping the program to assist individuals in our community. We are honored to have NYSEG and RG&E as one of our volunteer groups, and we look forward to working again with NYSEG and RG&E again this year. We want to thank NYSEG & RG&E for all they are doing for individuals in our community and the ARISE/EFR Ramp Program!”

 

Individuals who have a disability, or their caregivers, who wish to seek support are encouraged to contact NYSEG Customer Service at 800.572.1111 or custserv@nyseg.com. RG&E’s Customer Service can be reached at 800.743.2110 or customer_service@rge.com. 

 

Media Contact:
Michael Baggerman
mbaggerman@nyseg.com 
716.368.1284