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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Madison Pinckney, Legal Fellow of the Disability Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)
3:20:24
·
92 sec
Madison Pinckney from NYLPI discusses the importance of ensuring disability access in the Dining Out NYC program, emphasizing the need for clear sidewalks and robust enforcement of accessibility requirements. She urges the council to allocate resources for investigating complaints and suggests an annual report on accessibility issues.
- Highlights that sidewalks are often the primary mode of navigation for people with disabilities due to inaccessible subway systems
- Applauds the program's mandated clear path requirements but stresses the need for effective enforcement
- Recommends an annual report on accessibility complaints and city responses to ensure accountability
Madison Pinckney
3:20:24
Hi, thank you for the opportunity to testify.
3:20:27
My name is Madison Pinkney, and I'm a legal fellow at the disability program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
3:20:34
The dining out program offers a vibrant opportunity for the community growth and engagement, but it has to do so while ensuring disability access to these restaurants and the sidewalks.
3:20:47
Sidewalk access is paramount for the disability community, especially considering that a lot of other transportation options like the subway that millions of New Yorkers rely on is not accessible, which often leaves the sidewalk as the primary mode of navigation for everyday life.
3:21:03
When sidewalks are blocked either by dining structures or by server and patron traffic, people with disabilities often have to navigate into the street, which is incredibly dangerous not just for themselves, but for others.
3:21:18
Luckily, dining out mandates a clear path for sidewalks and other accessibility requirements.
3:21:23
And NOPIA applauds these requirements, but also urges the council to have robust enforcement, and by doing so, will require enough resources to investigate each complaint because the enforcement of these requirements relies heavily on public reporting.
3:21:43
Additionally, the dining out program should offer an annual report of these accessibility complaints and the city's responses, which will help ensure accountability not just for restaurants, but also for the city's enforcement.
3:21:55
Thanks so much for the opportunity.