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 →

Testimony of Yesenia Torres and Valerie Joseph, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled before the City Council Transportation Committee Oversight hearing on Fast Forward December 4, 2018 Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Council on MTA New York City Transit’s Fast Forward (MTA) plan. We represent the Brooklyn Center for Independence… read more →

“Uber, Lyft and other for-hire companies now have a choice: They can kvetch about this common-sense rule or they can start putting wheelchair-accessible vehicles on the road. We will continue to work with the Taxis Workers Alliance for fairness for drivers and riders,” said Joe Rappaport, Executive Director, Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled, Member… read more →