August 29, 2007
NYC Forums on Accessible Transportation
Rebecca Hinde of the Disabilities Network of New York City has asked for donations to launch a series of Forums on Accessible Transportation to reverse a situation where only 81 of the city's 13,000 cabs are wheelchair accessible.
The Disabilities Network needs your help to act on exciting
new opportunities to win equality for disabled New Yorkers.And we're on a deadline! We need 400 people to donate $10 or more by this Friday,
Aug. 31st. Can you be one?For years, the disability community has pressed for accessible taxis and liveries.
Of NYC's 13,000 yellow cabs, only 81 are wheelchair-accessible. Less than 1%! And
none have features like rate info. in Braille.But this can change:
The Mayor got great press when he mandated an all-hybrid taxi fleet by 2012 but said
nothing about accessibility, even though....There's a bill in City Council to make all taxis hybrid AND accessible. The
Council's done nothing. Press has been minimal.Meanwhile, the City plans to allow wheelchair & scooter users to phone for (but not
hail) accessible cabs, despite controversy in the community over this proposal. Now
is the time for fair, achievable policies for integrated, accessible transportation.You can make it happen! How? Support our Forums on Accessible Transportation - a
Five-Borough Series!We'll hold unprecedented public forums on this issue in every borough. The
community, the taxi industry and lawmakers are coming together to develop real
solutions. All stakeholders will have their say. Media coverage expected.But to make these landmark forums a reality, we need 400 people to give $10 by this
Friday, 8/31. The $4000 will cover sign language, captioning, Braille materials -
all essential to the disability community.Be one of them! Just copy and paste this link into your browser,
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2592
Under "Donation Amount," select "Other." Enter $10 or the amount of your choice.
Every dollar counts!I hope you'll consider supporting this important project. Thank you!
Sincerely yours,
Rebecca Hinde
Director of Development
Disabilities Network of New York City
212.251.4141
rebecca@dnnyc.net or rhinde@uwnyc.org!~!~!~!~!~!
Photo from The Big Yellow Taxi at http://www.checkerhire.net/wedding-services.htm
Rent this taxi for a wedding or special event!