Federal Judge: NYC Taxis Still Not Meeting Accessibility Agreement
United States District Court Judge George Daniels has criticized New York City for failing, again, to meet its obligation to ensure that half of its taxicabs are wheelchair accessible.
The City, a nonprofit newsroom that covers New York, reported on May 7 that Manhattan federal judge Daniels urged New York City attorneys to develop a plan in the next two weeks that will meet the 50% goal. The initial 2020 deadline, which New York missed, was extended in 2023.
At the start of 2024, about 32% of New York City taxis were accessible, The City reported. Attorneys for New York City blamed the COVID-19 pandemic, the immense popularity of ride-sharing services, and the sharp decrease in the value of taxi medallions for continuing to fail to meet the terms of the agreement made in 2014.
United Spinal was among the organizations that originally filed suit, claiming violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the time of that lawsuit in 2011, Daniels noted that only 1.8% of city taxicabs were wheelchair accessible.
American Academy of Neurology Announces ALS Research Award
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has given the Sheila Essey Award for ALS Research to Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D.
In an April 15 news announcement, the Michigan Neuroscience Institute at the University of Michigan, said, “Dr. Feldman has dedicated her career to studying neurodegenerative diseases and currently serves as director of the ALS Center of Excellence and the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at the University of Michigan. A deserved honor!”
The award was co-awarded by the ALS Association and the American Brain Foundation, and was presented to Feldman during the AAN Annual Meeting earlier in April. The ALS Association said the award “recognizes significant research contributions in the search for the causes, prevention and cure for ALS.”
