By Jessica De La Rosa In 1982, my mother and her home attendant began a 36-year journey together – one made possible only by Consumer Directed Personal Assistance, a unique, cost-effective New York State program that keeps people like my mom, and me, out of nursing homes and able to live independently. Bizarrely, government bean counters and outside “experts” now are gunning for the… read more →

Statement of AARRG! (Access-A-Ride Reform Group) on resignation of Veronica Vanterpool from the MTA board November 20, 2019   Veronica Vanterpool has been a champion for all transit riders, but Veronica paid unprecedented attention to the plight of riders on the MTA’s long-neglected Access-A-Ride service. She met with Access-A-Ride users, she listened with compassion and she… read more →

Testimony of Joseph G. Rappaport, Executive Director, before New York State Senate and Assembly legislative committees November 12, 2019 I am Joe Rappaport, executive director of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled (BCID). Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed 2020-2024 capital program. Since we testified before… read more →

September 20, 2019 The MTA on Thursday identified 45 subway stations* it said it would make accessible to people with disabilities in the 2020-2024 capital program, with a promise of nearly two dozen more to come. That’s real progress. Unfortunately, the MTA has a decades-long record of missed deadlines, funding diversions and deficient maintenance when it… read more →

During her tenure as Taxi and Limousine Chair, Meera Joshi kept her door open to the disability community and, in time, pushed for more wheelchair-accessibility in the face of fierce opposition from Uber, other for-hire providers and reticent officials. Joshi oversaw the implementation of Taxis For All v. New York City Taxis and Limousine Commission,… read more →