Why does it have to be so difficult to enforce the federal Americans with Disabilities Act?
In New York City, the city agency that governs taxis doesn’t think that having more accessible taxis is worth enforcing. http://www.newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=11939
Not only would requiring taxi companies to make all new taxis wheelchair accessible not cost the city a single dime, it would save the city significant money since it would reduce the dependence on the Access-a-Ride that is funded by the city.
So, what is the resistance? This resistance is widespread and truthfully makes no sense.
Businesses resist providing access since they never look at the benefits, only the costs. But the truth is that state and city governments turn a blind eye to access issues on a regular basis also. This blind eye is not only toward their own access responsibilities, but cities are consistently unwilling to enforce access laws in their communities.
A question that all state and city governments should ask is whether they would tolerate discrimination toward any other minority. Or, would they tolerate businesses that put out signs saying that persons with disabilities are not allowed in? If they would not tolerate discrimination toward other minorities or businesses that put out signs that verbalize their discrimination toward people with disabilities, they should not tolerate discriminatory actions or omissions.
Annette Bourbonniere
401-846-1960
Fax: 401-846-1944
Twitter: @AccessInclude
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