More Disability Advocates Urge Governor to Reject Discriminatory Taxi Bill

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Dec 20, 2011, 08:50 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today more advocates for the disabled took aim at discriminatory legislation that would allow as many as 30,000 non-accessible taxis in a new "street-hail" system, urging Governor Cuomo to veto any measure that doesn't provide equally for wheelchair users.

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As we enter the final days of the Governor's Wednesday deadline to sign or veto the legislation, the Disabilities Network of New York City, Helen Keller Services for the Blind, and United Spinal Association (formerly Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association) called on the Governor to remain on the side of equality.

"We applaud Governor Cuomo's willingness to stand up to discrimination," said Susan Scheer, Disabilities Network of New York City. "All New Yorkers—regardless of physical disability—should have the right to hail taxis and liveries. To accept anything less would simply be unfair and unequal."

Disabled New Yorkers are treated like second-class citizens under the city's street-hail proposal," said Deborah Rodriguez Samuelson, Helen Keller Services for the Blind. "It's just plain wrong to expand street hails to neighborhoods like Bayside, Queens and Soundview in the Bronx-- but not to make them accessible to tens of thousands of disabled New Yorkers throughout the city."

"Whether you're working in Midtown Manhattan or living in Park Slope, Brooklyn, this measure would ensure that taxi after taxi will pass you by if you're in a wheelchair," said James Weisman, SVP and General Counsel, United Spinal Association.

"We're urging the Governor to stay strong and resist pressure to sign any bill that perpetuates discrimination," he added.

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James Weisman
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SOURCE United Spinal Association