Harkin Applauds Deal to Make More New York City Cabs Wheelchair Accessible

WASHINGTON – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, applauded an agreement announced last night between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to create 2,000 more wheelchair-accessible cabs.  Harkin, a longtime champion of disability rights, sent a letter to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg earlier this year urging him to select a wheelchair accessible taxi in the city’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” competition. 

“I commend Governor Cuomo for taking a stand for disability rights and laying the foundation for New Yorkers with disabilities to have the same access to taxicabs as everyone else.  This announcement positions New York City as a leader in accessible transportation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will have ripple effects across the United States and around the world.  I am delighted that Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo, the disability community, and the other stakeholders have agreed to work together to dramatically improve the transportation accessibility for New York City’s residents and visitors with disabilities.”