In spite of bullying by the likes of New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, the outlook for all-accessible taxis in New New Amsterdam is good, thanks to the work of activists at United Spinal, the Taxis for All Campaign, Disabled in Action, and Disability Rights Advocates. On Friday, they, along with plaintiffs Christopher Noel and Simi Linton, won a civil rights class action suit against the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission and Commissioner David Yassky.
Judge George Daniels ruled that “meaningful access” to NYC taxis is a must.
“It is clear…that less than 2% of the city’s fleet being wheelchair accessible, resulting in the unavailability of taxi transportation and significantly increased waiting times for disabled persons who require wheelchairs, is not meaningful access. In fact, during oral argument, [the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission] conceded that its regulations do not provide meaningful access to individual who require wheelchairs. It must do so… Meaningful access for the disabled to public transportation services is not a utopian goal or political promise, it is a basic civil right. Title II [of the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibiting discrimination against disabled people] requires immediate and full compliance.”
Until the city comes up with a “comprehensive plan” for cab accessibility, it will only be allowed to issue new medallions (fancy word for licenses) for wheelchair-accessible taxis.
And this won’t stop at NYC. As United Spinal argued before the legal victory, “this fight reaches far beyond the city’s front lines. If NYC creates an equitable system of accessible public transportation then other cities both small and large will follow.”
via Rolling Rains