Federal Court Rules Disabled Have Right to Sue for Accessible Cabs

FEDERAL JUDGE RULES NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES CAN CHALLENGE TAXI OFTOMORROW IN LAWSUIT SEEKING ACCESSIBLE TAXIS
New York, NY - April 8, 2013 - Late last week, a federal court in New York City cleared the way for a major class action lawsuit brought by New Yorkers  who use wheelchairs to challenge the Taxi of Tomorrow.  Judge Daniels of the Southern District of New York District Court allowed Plaintiffs to supplement and amend their complaint to include challenges to the legality of the Taxi and Limousine Commission's (TLC) selection of the Nissan NV200 van as the exclusive taxi vehicle of New York City for the next decade.  The NV200 van is not accessible to New York City's 170,000 residents with
mobility disabilities who use wheelchairs.  Plaintiffs' supplemental amended
complaint alleges that use of the NV200 van as a taxi vehicle violates the
Americans with Disabilities Act.


After many years of struggling with a taxi fleet that is almost completely
inaccessible to wheelchair users, a coalition of disability organizations
and individuals with disabilities filed the suit in January of 2011.
Plaintiffs are represented by Disability Rights Advocates, which is a
non-profit legal center that specializes in class action litigation on
behalf of people with disabilities.

In spite of repeated broken promises of improvement by the TLC, less than 2%
of medallion taxis in New York City are currently accessible to wheelchair
users.  With the Taxi of Tomorrow arriving on the streets in 2013 absent
judicial action, this discriminatory taxi system will be perpetuated for the
next decade. The TLC's agreement with Nissan to provide the official taxi
vehicle requires, for the next ten years, that unrestricted medallion
holders must purchase the Nissan NV200 van but does not require that the
Nissan Van include a ramp or a lift which would make it useable by
wheelchair users.

Under Title III of the ADA, when a provider of taxi service purchases or
leases a vehicle other than an automobile (such as a van), the vehicle is
required to be accessible.  As a licensing and regulatory agency, the TLC
has an obligation to issue rules which comply with the law.  However, the
TLC's approval of the non-accessible version of the Nissan Van means that
taxi medallion owners who follow the TLC's rules will be in violation of
Title III of the ADA.

"The TLC had a golden opportunity to make taxi service available to
thousands of people who critically need public transportation.  However,
instead, the TLC chose to affirmatively discriminate against persons with
disabilities by selecting an inaccessible vehicle and by perpetuating this
discrimination for the next decade," said Mary-Lee Smith, Managing Attorney
at Disability Rights Advocates.

"The TLC's selection of an inaccessible van as the Taxi of Tomorrow is
blatant discrimination.  It means that I will continue to be denied the
opportunity to access taxi service in New York City, compromising my work
and personal life and my health and well-being," said Plaintiff Simi Linton.

"We are pleased with the Judge's decision to allow us to challenge the
selection of an inaccessible van as the Taxi of Tomorrow.  Absent judicial
intervention, men, women and children with disabilities will continue to be
excluded from accessing New York City's taxi fleet," said Plaintiffs'
attorney, Sid Wolinsky, Director of Litigation at Disability Rights
Advocates.

Contacts:

Mary-Lee Smith, Disability Rights Advocates
510-665-8644

Sid Wolinsky, Disability Rights Advocates
510-665-8644

Julia Pinover, Disability Rights Advocates
212-644-8644

Disability Rights Activists: