Power Grid Blog
AAPD Offers Testimony at DC Taxicab Accessibility Hearing
January 30, 2012 | AAPD Power Grid Blog Team
Today, AAPD joined fellow disability rights advocates and DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown to urge the City Council to adopt a proposal that would increase accessible, energy-efficient taxicabs in DC. Prior to a hearing on proposed taxicab measures, Brown and members of the disability community rallied outside the John A. Wilson building, demonstrating their support for transportation accessibility.
The new measures would require that any new taxicabs must be CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles, wheelchair-accessible, and ADA compliant. Additionally, the proposed combined taxicab measure also stipulates that taxicab companies make 55% of their cabs CNG vehicles, wheelchair-accessible and ADA compliant within a four-year period.
During the hearing, disability advocates and clean energy representatives offered testimony to the D.C. Council’s Committee on Environment, Public Works and Transportation in support of the proposal. AAPD emphasized how accessible transportation is a vital component in fulfilling the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity and independent living.
“The current system doesn’t afford residents and tourists who use wheelchairs the option to ‘hail’ taxis from the street, which other taxicab users enjoy. This limited service does not come close to meeting the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities act. ” said Frankie Mastrangelo, AAPD New Media Manager.
The Committee also heard testimony from:
- Kelly Buckland of the National Council on Independent Living
- Madonna Long of Pride Mobility Products, Inc.
- Fred Drasner of the Vehicle Production Group
- Jim Weisman of United Spinal
- Marc Klein and Mark Riley of the Clean Energy Fuels Corporation
Click here to read more about the proposed combined taxicab measures.
Comments
Submitted by beste camera at 11:43 AM on August 9, 2013