Emily F. Keller: Journalist

Disabilities Network Launches New Initiatives

    The Disabilities Network of New York City (DNNYC) is working to re-design its website and increase housing advocacy, transportation and media projects as a volunteer organization.

    DNNYC defines its mission as, “To bring people, organizations, government and industry together to find solutions to the challenges faced by New Yorkers with disabilities.”

Nassau County Office Moving Forward with New Acting Director

    The Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged (OPC) has retained its position as an independent office and is moving forward with new initiatives following staffing changes in the past two years.

    The County had proposed merging the office with the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs when director Don Dreyer and three other staff members retired in the summer of 2009, but that plan was abandoned. Dreyer directed the office for 32 years.

VESID Changes Its Name

    The New York State Board of Regents has changed the name of a state service organization, removing the word “disabilities” from its title.

    Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) has been changed to Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES), expanding the office’s reach to people with and without disabilities. The board made the decision at its December 2010 meeting.

February 2011 Able News Stories - Transit

    Read about the transit impacts of the December blizzard, a class action lawsuit against the Taxi and Limousine Commission, a taxi pilot program for Access-A-Ride customers and a new transit advisory committee in Suffolk County, in the February 2011 issue of Able News.

Snow Blocked Disabled Residents for Days

    People with disabilities experienced an unusual transportation challenge following the December 26 blizzard when the City’s flawed cleanup effort left residents stranded for days.

    Attorney T.K. Small, who lives on a secondary street in Brooklyn, said he didn’t see a plow for almost 48 hours after the storm and was stuck home for more than four days.

    “There were literally mountains of snow in the curb cuts, so I could go outside in front of my building and basically after that I could go nowhere,” said Small, who attributes the City’s slow response to a variety of factors including the storm’s arrival on the day after Christmas, city cutbacks and actions of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Disability Rights Groups Sue Taxi & Limousine Commission

    A coalition of disability rights groups filed a class action lawsuit against the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) January 13, charging the commission with “failing to provide yellow taxis that men, women and children who use wheelchairs are able to access.”

    There are more than 13,000 taxis in New York City and only about 240 are accessible. The lawsuit is the first of its kind in the nation.

    The United Spinal Association, the 504 Democratic Club, the Taxis for All Campaign and Disabled In Action filed the lawsuit in Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York. Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a non-profit law firm that specializes in civil rights for people with disabilities is representing the plaintiffs along with Outten & Golden, a law firm that focuses on employment law.

Suffolk Organization Starts Transportation Committee

    Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO) has launched a transportation committee to provide education to transit riders with disabilities and feedback to the county on paratransit and public transit service.

    SILO started the committee in early November to address issues related to Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) and fixed-route buses, with the over-arching goal of improving transit for people with disabilities in the county through advocacy.