PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eman Rimawi-Doster, Senior Community Organizer of the Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
1:41:57
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Eman Rimawi-Doster from NYLPI advocates for the integration of accessibility and electrification in New York City's for-hire vehicle industry. She emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to transportation that includes people with disabilities in the transition to electric vehicles.
- Supports a council resolution for a statewide surcharge on inaccessible Uber and Lyft trips
- Calls for the establishment of a green and accessible transportation authority
- Urges the TLC to take action in developing accessible electric vehicles and including accessibility in their studies on electric for-hire vehicles
Eman Rimawi-Doster
1:41:57
Hi.
1:41:57
Good morning.
1:41:58
My name is Eman Romawi Doster, and I am the senior community organizer with the disability justice program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
1:42:06
Thank you, council members, for allowing me to speak this morning.
1:42:09
On February 6, the state legislature had a joint transportation budget hearing, which included testimony from the New York State Department of Transportation, the MTA, and various organizations from all over the state.
1:42:21
Ron Epstein, president and CEO of the New York Material Construction Association, talked about the need for the protection of our environment and the role electric vehicles can play in doing that.
1:42:32
And a few people mentioned accessibility for people with disabilities like myself, yet no one married the two.
1:42:38
We need to talk about accessible transportation in a holistic way that includes everyone.
1:42:43
Intentional language, including people with disabilities, matter.
1:42:47
Why hasn't the TLC taken broader action to develop an accessible electric vehicle like when they did with the taxis for tomorrow in 02/2009?
1:42:56
Why is the TLC conducting studies on the cost, challenges, and opportunities related to the use of electric for hire vehicles without considering the need for accessibility.
1:43:07
It's the responsibility of every government agency across New York state to ensure access for people with disabilities, including the TLC.
1:43:16
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest strongly supports a council resolution in favor of a statewide surcharge on inaccessible Ubers and Lyft trips, and the establishment of a green and accessible transportation authority to support accessibility and electrification in the for hire vehicle and powertrain fleet.
1:43:35
New York City is one of the largest markets in the world for multibillion dollar ride share corporation, Uber and Lyft.
1:43:42
Our local government should take a proactive leadership role in requiring this industry to develop and adapt vehicles that are both fully accessible and zero emission.
1:43:53
As someone who uses for hire vehicles frequently through the MTA's Accessoride on demand pilot program and a person who uses manual wheelchairs for my residual limbs when they're sore or when my lupus is extra aggressive, which happens the more more and more I get older, I can tell you that I am worried about wheelchair users being left out once again.
1:44:14
Electric vehicles, cleaner air, and moving from fossil fuel combust combustion are vital to disabled New Yorkers.
1:44:20
I, along with other advocates, wanna be involved with this planning as they directly affect our lives and how much or little we can participate in work, school, doctor's appointments, social events, and more.
1:44:31
Let's make our city more accessible, not less.
1:44:33
That's the ethical thing to do.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
1:44:35
Thank you.