people with disabilities

Fight for Accessible Taxis: Tell Your State Senators to Oppose S.7833-A (Golden)/A.6201-A (Pichardo)

We are part of a coalition of disability rights groups that oppose S.7833-A and A.6201-A. This is a backdoor attempt to overturn a long-awaited New York City Taxi and Limousine (TLC) regulation intended to get wheelchair-accessible for-hire vehicles (FHV) on the road across New York City.

The TLC regulations these bills seek to do away with are the result of years of advocacy by the disability community. They passed after more than a year of study by the TLC and after extensive public input.

These bills would isolate people with disabilities into a separate, unequal service. Like most New Yorkers, we want full integration of all people, no matter who they are, into daily life.

The dispatch system S.7833-A and A.6201-A propose was tried by the TLC and by the FHV industry before and failed.
FHV companies have opposed any attempt to get them to offer accessible service for at least two decades. These bills are no different.
The TLC rules are a crucial first step toward providing wheelchair-accessible service across the city. They have widespread support in the disability community.

Dozens of individuals and organizations spoke in support of the TLC proposal at a hearing on September 2017. Wheelchair users described how the ability to travel by accessible yellow taxis changed their lives for the better.

Call your NYS Senator now and insist that they oppose these bills. Find your Senator here. Let’s not move backward on progress!

Hands Off SNAP

Take Action NOW:

Call Your Rep TODAY – On Tuesday, May 8th, we all need to call our members of Congress and tell them to “Vote NO on H.R. 2, the Farm Bill!” (Seriously, this means you and everyone you can reach about this.) Please make use of Feeding America’s toll-free number: 1-888-398-8702. You will be connected to your Representative’s office after entering your zip code. We need to let Congress know that we want them to “Vote NO on H.R. 2” because its rigid work rules will reduce or eliminate SNAP for millions. It will deny food to children, veterans, women, and people needing treatment and/or with disabilities. Please share this number with your networks and ask them to encourage people to call. Please make sure you call on Tuesday, May 8th!

Please share our posts on social media: Facebook and Twitter.

Can’t call? You can also text RESIST to 50409 or contact elected officials online.

Support Funding for Independent Living Centers

We are thrilled that Representative Hanabusa (HI) sent a Dear Colleague letter to the entire House of Representatives. She asked them to join her in supporting an increase in funding for Independent Living Centers. Once signatures are received, Rep. Hanabusa will submit a letter to Chairman Cole (OK) and Ranking Member DeLauro (CT) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS-Ed) to request increased funding for the Independent Living Program and donating some ergonomic desk and chairs in FY 2019. So far, Representatives Norton (DC) and Sablan (CNMI) have signed on.

We need to get as many supporters as possible by Wednesday, March 14, 2018!

Read the Dear Colleague letter from Representative Hanabusa and the text for the request to Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro.

Take Action!

The Independent Living Program is a vital, cost-effective program that has been underfunded for years. We need your help to get as many other Representatives as possible to sign-on! Contact your Representative TODAY and urge them to sign on to Representative Hanabusa’s Independent Living Appropriations request. Make sure your Rep. knows how vital the Independent Living Program is to you, and how much the CILs in their state do for their disabled constituents!

All Representatives can be reached by the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY). You can find your Representative’s direct DC and local office numbers as well as other contact information at Contacting Congress. You can also use Resistbot to turn texts into faxes, mail, or hand-delivered letters.

H/T National Council on Independent Living

Act Now for Student Loan Protection

Did you know that you can receive relief on student loans if you have a disability?

Have you had an issue with your school loans? We want to hear from you!

We wrote a memo in support of the New York Student Loan Protection bill.

For people with disabilities, education is a way out of higher rates of poverty and higher rates of unemployment compared to people without disabilities.

When some people acquire an illness or disability or stop their studies due to their disability, they can receive relief on their student loans through Temporary or Permanent Disability Discharge.

However, many lenders or servicers don’t explain this option, even when they are aware of the reasons for stopping payment.

Article VII Budget Legislation, TED Part W, Subpart A would create a student loan ombudsman and require licensing of student loan servicing companies. California, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington, and Washington DC have already passed similar bills.

Please call your State Senator and urge them to support the provisions, as part of the budget agreement.