PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jean Ryan, President of Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York (DIA), on Taxi Accessibility
1:39:12
ยท
145 sec
Jean Ryan, President of Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York (DIA), testified about the long-standing struggle for taxi accessibility for people with disabilities in NYC. She highlighted the slow progress towards the goal of 50% wheelchair accessible taxis and expressed concerns about proposed changes that might further delay this goal.
- Ryan criticized the TLC's plan to discontinue the Accessible Dispatch program, which has been crucial for people with disabilities to book accessible taxis.
- She requested more funding to maintain the Accessible Dispatch program and called for better enforcement of rules requiring drivers to pick up and properly secure passengers with disabilities.
- Ryan emphasized the need for drivers to be trained in proper securement techniques and to be able to communicate effectively with passengers with disabilities.
Jean Ryan
1:39:12
Hi.
1:39:13
I'm Jean Ryan, president of Disabled Inaction of Metropolitan New York, DIA for short.
1:39:21
DIA has been trying to get taxi access since 1996 when we founded Taxis for All campaign.
1:39:28
That's twenty nine years, and we have heard every flimsy excuse in the book for why we do not have access when we're trying to hail a cab on the street, get picked up at the airport, or book a trip through an app or call.
1:39:43
Years ago, we tried to get a law for a % taxi access with the city council to no avail.
1:39:49
It would not even go to committee even though a large majority of council members endorsed it.
1:39:56
We sued and got a legally binding agreement in federal court more than ten years ago that by 2020, half the cabs would be wheelchair accessible.
1:40:06
But it's 2025 and that goal has not been reached.
1:40:09
Last year, judge Daniels ordered the TLC to reach 50% accessibility again, and the TLC changed rules about length of ownership and mandatory buying of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
1:40:25
We believe that intro 03/2024 would again not allow the TLC to reach 50% in a timely manner as they legally agreed to and are under court order to reach.
1:40:41
Our disabilities, coupled with the fact that cab drivers need business, led the TLC to form Accessible Dispatch in 2018 so we can call or use an app to book a yellow cab trip.
1:40:53
If the vehicle doesn't show up, we can call back and get a human.
1:40:58
Accessible dispatch has been a lifesaver for us even though sometimes we have to wait one or two hours for a vehicle to show up.
1:41:06
And now the TLC wants to ditch it.
1:41:09
Why?
1:41:10
We are asking the council for more funding to keep accessible dispatch ask the TLC why they do not enforce their own rule that drivers must pick us up.
1:41:21
It takes only four to five minutes to secure us if drivers have the correct straps and knowledge.
1:41:28
But drivers refuse to pick us up, refuse to secure us, and do not speak English so that we can safely communicate with them.
1:41:37
Thank you.