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Accessibility

√ NY Agencies

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Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)

This office is responsible for ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to all aspects of city life, including transportation, housing, employment, and education.

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New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)

The DOT is responsible for improving the accessibility of the city’s transportation system, including buses, subways, and sidewalks. Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Department of Buildings (DOB)

The DOB enforces the city’s building code and ensures that new and existing buildings are accessible to people with disabilities. Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)

The DPR is responsible for ensuring that the city’s parks and recreational facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)

The TLC regulates the city’s taxi and for-hire vehicle industry, and is responsible for ensuring that these services are accessible to people with disabilities. Mayor’s Management Report

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New York City Commission on Human Rights

This commission enforces the city’s human rights laws, which include protections for people with disabilities in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. Mayor’s Management Report

√ Reports

"AccessibleNYC" 2021

This report is published by the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. The 2021 AccessibleNYC report, describes the progress to make New York City more accessible for people with disabilities in the areas of transportation, employment and financial empowerment, health, digital accessibility, arts and culture, entertainment, dining, tourism, and more.

"Access Denied: Making the MTA Subway System Accessible to All New Yorkers "

“The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Transit (NYCT) operate the least accessible major subway system in the country for people who require stair-free access. Nearly 30 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, only 23% of the city’s subway stations have elevators. These elevators break down often, rendering even fewer stations accessible to those with mobility impairments.”

"NYC Digital Accessibility Report 2021"
This report provides an overview of the City’s progress in making its digital products accessible to people with disabilities. It includes data on the number of websites and other digital products that have been enhanced for accessibility, as well as information on the City’s goals for future accessibility improvements.
"New York City Mobility Report" (DOT)
This report provides an overview of the City’s transportation system and its efforts to make it more accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. It includes data on the number of accessible subway stations, bus stops, and sidewalks, as well as information on the City’s goals for future accessibility improvements.
Employment Recovery Is Slow for New Yorkers with Disabilities
People living with disabilities face unique daily challenges that can present barriers to employment. The COVID-19 pandemic led to soaring unemployment rates for people with disabilities, and these rates have not declined as quickly in New York as they have nationally.
Accessibility Guide (HPD)
The City also aims to better support developers to provide accessible housing and meet the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities. HPD developed a supplementary document, the HPD Accessibility Guide, which outlines the accessibility requirements that apply to multifamily housing. The new guide features a useful diagnostic tool to help design professionals navigate the multiple layers of accessibility regulations and includes an expanded library of accessibility sketches that were formerly found in the previous version of the design guidelines.
"AccessibleNYC" 2021

This report is published by the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. The 2021 AccessibleNYC report, describes the progress to make New York City more accessible for people with disabilities in the areas of transportation, employment and financial empowerment, health, digital accessibility, arts and culture, entertainment, dining, tourism, and more.

"Access Denied: Making the MTA Subway System Accessible to All New Yorkers "

“The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Transit (NYCT) operate the least accessible major subway system in the country for people who require stair-free access. Nearly 30 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, only 23% of the city’s subway stations have elevators. These elevators break down often, rendering even fewer stations accessible to those with mobility impairments.”

"NYC Digital Accessibility Report 2021"
This report provides an overview of the City’s progress in making its digital products accessible to people with disabilities. It includes data on the number of websites and other digital products that have been enhanced for accessibility, as well as information on the City’s goals for future accessibility improvements.
"New York City Mobility Report" (DOT)
This report provides an overview of the City’s transportation system and its efforts to make it more accessible for all users, including people with disabilities. It includes data on the number of accessible subway stations, bus stops, and sidewalks, as well as information on the City’s goals for future accessibility improvements.
Employment Recovery Is Slow for New Yorkers with Disabilities
People living with disabilities face unique daily challenges that can present barriers to employment. The COVID-19 pandemic led to soaring unemployment rates for people with disabilities, and these rates have not declined as quickly in New York as they have nationally.
Accessibility Guide (HPD)
The City also aims to better support developers to provide accessible housing and meet the needs of New Yorkers with disabilities. HPD developed a supplementary document, the HPD Accessibility Guide, which outlines the accessibility requirements that apply to multifamily housing. The new guide features a useful diagnostic tool to help design professionals navigate the multiple layers of accessibility regulations and includes an expanded library of accessibility sketches that were formerly found in the previous version of the design guidelines.

√ Data sets

New York City Open Data
This website provides access to a wide range of data sets related to accessibility in the city, including data on accessible subway stations, accessible taxi trips, and accessible parking spaces.
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)
The NYC DOT provides data on the accessibility of city streets and sidewalks, including information on accessible pedestrian signals and curb ramps.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
The MTA provides data on the accessibility of the city’s subway and bus systems, including information on accessible subway stations, bus routes with wheelchair lifts, and paratransit services.
Disability Statistics (DOL)
This Department of Labor website provides a wide range of data on disability and accessibility in the United States, including data on disability prevalence, employment, and transportation.
Pew: 8 facts about Americans with disabilities
Overall, there are about 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, making up 13% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021. This group includes people with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care or independent living difficulties.
NYC Disability Statistics Spreadsheet
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has a spreadsheet of data with statistics of the number of people with disabilities in NYC. It is broken down by disability type, sex, race, employment status and more.

√ Data visualizations

Subway Accessibility Map
The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides an interactive map that shows the accessibility status of each subway station in the city. The map uses color coding to indicate whether a station is fully accessible, partially accessible, or not accessible at all.
Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi Trips
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission provides data on the number of wheelchair-accessible taxi trips taken in the city each month. This data is presented in a line chart that shows trends over time.
DisabilityStatistics.org (Cornell University)
This website is produced by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Statistics and Demographics (StatsRRTC) at Cornell University. DisabilityStatistics.org provides a single, user-friendly, accessible, Internet resource for disability data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and other major national survey data sources.
CDC: Disability Impacts All of Us
An infographic with national disability data.
Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2021
This site provides various data visualizations about recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance.

√ STATISTICS

Percent of NYC disabled

%

900,000+ people

New Yorkers with Mobility Disability

Accessible Subway Stations

%

2020

% of City Population disabled
According to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, approximately 11% of the city’s population, or over 900,000 individuals, have a disability.
Number with Mobility disability
Of the city’s population with a disability, 25% or close to 600,000 have ambulatory difficulty.
Accessible Subway Stations
As of February 2023 report by the New York City Council, Just over 25% of 472 subway stations are fully accessible with even lower percentages in low-income communities.
Living Below the Poverty Level
According to the American Community Survey, 29% of disabled New Yorkers live below the poverty level.

Percent of NYC disabled

%

900,000+ people

NYkers with Mobility Disability

Accessible Subway Stations

%

2020

% of city population disabled
According to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, approximately 11% of the city’s population, or over 900,000 individuals, have a disability.
Number with ambulatory difficulty
Of the city’s population with a disability, 25% or close to 600,000 have ambulatory difficulty.
Accessible subway stations
As of February 2023 report by the New York City Council, Just over 25% of 472 subway stations are fully accessible with even lower percentages in low-income communities.
Living below poverty level
According to the American Community Survey, 29% of disabled New Yorkers live below the poverty level.

√ Census & American Community Survey

Disability status
The Census and ACS collect data on whether individuals have a disability, including physical, mental, or emotional conditions that cause difficulty with daily activities such as seeing, hearing, walking, or remembering.
Type of disability
The ACS collects more detailed data on the type of disability individuals have, including hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living disabilities.
Employment status
The ACS collects data on employment status, including whether individuals with disabilities are employed or looking for work. This information can be used to assess employment disparities and barriers for individuals with disabilities.
Income and poverty
The Census and ACS collect data on income and poverty levels for individuals with disabilities. This information can be used to assess economic disparities and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Housing
The ACS collects data on housing characteristics, including whether housing units have accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps or handrails. This information can be used to assess housing disparities and accessibility challenges for individuals with disabilities.
Transportation
The ACS collects data on transportation patterns, including mode of transportation and commute time. This information can be used to assess transportation disparities and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Disability status
The Census and ACS collect data on whether individuals have a disability, including physical, mental, or emotional conditions that cause difficulty with daily activities such as seeing, hearing, walking, or remembering.
Type of disability
The ACS collects more detailed data on the type of disability individuals have, including hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living disabilities.
Employment status
The ACS collects data on employment status, including whether individuals with disabilities are employed or looking for work. This information can be used to assess employment disparities and barriers for individuals with disabilities.
Income and poverty
The Census and ACS collect data on income and poverty levels for individuals with disabilities. This information can be used to assess economic disparities and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Housing
The ACS collects data on housing characteristics, including whether housing units have accessibility features such as wheelchair ramps or handrails. This information can be used to assess housing disparities and accessibility challenges for individuals with disabilities.
Transportation
The ACS collects data on transportation patterns, including mode of transportation and commute time. This information can be used to assess transportation disparities and challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.

√ Non-Profits

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)
DRA is a non-profit legal center that works to advance the rights of people with disabilities. They use litigation, advocacy, and education to challenge discrimination and promote equal access.
Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)
CIDNY is a non-profit organization that works to ensure that people with disabilities have full access to all aspects of society. They provide a range of services, including advocacy, legal services, and employment support.
United Spinal Association
This non-profit organization advocates for the rights of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. They provide resources and support to help people with spinal cord injuries live full and independent lives.
Achilles International
Achilles International is a non-profit organization that provides support and encouragement to athletes with disabilities. They offer programs and events that promote fitness, friendship, and inclusion.
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)
CAF is a non-profit organization that provides funding and support to athletes with physical disabilities. They provide grants for adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition expenses.
Empire State Association of the Deaf
The Association shall serve as the focal point of all cooperating agencies within New York State in promoting the welfare of the deaf in educational measures, in employment and in any other field pertaining to or affecting the deaf in their pursuit of economic security, social equality and all their just rights and privileges as citizens of New York State.

√ Experts

Victor Calise - MOPD
Victor Calise is the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) in New York City. He is a leading advocate for disability rights and has worked to improve accessibility in the city’s transportation system and public spaces.
Jean Ryan - Disabled in Action
Jean Ryan is the president of Disabled In Action a civil rights organization that has been fighting for equality for people with disabilities since 1970.
Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility
The Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility (ACTA) is an all-volunteer group of community members committed to working with New York City Transit on a range of accessibility issues. See the roster on the site.
Sharon McLennon-Wier - CIDNY

Sharon McLennon-Wier is the Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY), a non-profit organization that provides services and advocacy for people with disabilities. She is a Black woman who is totally blind and has more than twenty-five years of experience in academia, non-profits, and disability advocacy. She previously served as the Director of Disability Services at Berkeley College and District Manager of the Harlem Office for the New York State Commission for the Blind.

Christine Serdjenian Yearwood - UP-STAND

Christine Serdjenian Yearwood is the founder and CEO of UP-STAND, a non-profit organization that works to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. She is also a member of the New York City Council’s Disability Advisory Committee.

√ Non-Profits

√ Experts

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)
DRA is a non-profit legal center that works to advance the rights of people with disabilities. They use litigation, advocacy, and education to challenge discrimination and promote equal access.
Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)
CIDNY is a non-profit organization that works to ensure that people with disabilities have full access to all aspects of society. They provide a range of services, including advocacy, legal services, and employment support.
United Spinal Association
This non-profit organization advocates for the rights of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. They provide resources and support to help people with spinal cord injuries live full and independent lives.
Achilles International
Achilles International is a non-profit organization that provides support and encouragement to athletes with disabilities. They offer programs and events that promote fitness, friendship, and inclusion.
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)
CAF is a non-profit organization that provides funding and support to athletes with physical disabilities. They provide grants for adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition expenses.
Empire State Association of the Deaf
The Association shall serve as the focal point of all cooperating agencies within New York State in promoting the welfare of the deaf in educational measures, in employment and in any other field pertaining to or affecting the deaf in their pursuit of economic security, social equality and all their just rights and privileges as citizens of New York State.
Victor Calise - MOPD
Victor Calise is the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) in New York City. He is a leading advocate for disability rights and has worked to improve accessibility in the city’s transportation system and public spaces.
Jean Ryan - Disabled In Action
Jean Ryan is the president of Disabled In Action a civil rights organization that has been fighting for equality for people with disabilities since 1970.
Christine Serdjenian Yearwood - UP-STAND
Christine Serdjenian Yearwood is the founder and CEO of UP-STAND, a non-profit organization that works to promote accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. She is also a member of the New York City Council’s Disability Advisory Committee.
Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility (ACTA)
The Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility (ACTA) is an all-volunteer group of community members committed to working with New York City Transit on a range of accessibility issues.
Sharon McLennon-Wier - CIDNY

Sharon McLennon-Wier is the Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY), a non-profit organization that provides services and advocacy for people with disabilities. She is a Black woman who is totally blind and has more than twenty-five years of experience in academia, non-profits, and disability advocacy. She previously served as the Director of Disability Services at Berkeley College and District Manager of the Harlem Office for the New York State Commission for the Blind.

√ Journal Articles

"Mental health service availability for autistic youth in New York City: An examination of the developmental disability and mental health service systems"

Psychiatric conditions are common in autism; however, a multitude of barriers exist in accessing community-based mental health care for autistic youth. Perhaps the first and most formidable barrier is identifying a provider that offers mental health treatment to autistic youth within the many service systems involved in supporting the autism community.

"Ethnic and Neighborhood Differences in Poverty and Disability among Older Asian Americans in New York City"

Asian Americans are the fastest growing and fastest aging U.S. population, and occupy both extremes of socioeconomic and health indices. Using the 2016 NYCgov dataset, multilevel logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of poverty, acculturation and neighborhood-level variables with disability for different ethnic groups of Asian older adults.

"Locating Disability Within a Health Justice Framework"

This article explores the connections between disability and health justice in service of further tethering the two theories and practices. The author contends that disability should shift from marker of health inequity alone to critical demographic in the analytical and practical application of health justice.

"Disability, wages, and commuting in New York"

In the U.S., substantial employment and wage gaps persist between workers with and without disabilities. A lack of accessible transportation is often cited as a barrier to employment in higher wage jobs for people with disabilities. Our study compares wages and commute times between workers with and without disabilities in the New York metropolitan region.

"Out of Service: Creating an Equitable Transit System for New York City"

Every day, millions of people ride New York City’s subways, light rail systems, and buses. For many, steep stairs, narrow walkways, confusing station layouts, and unintelligible loudspeaker announcements make navigating the subway challenging and stressful. For New Yorkers with disabilities (an estimated 930,100 [1] in New York City, and over 3 million in New York State [2]), these conditions may make subway ridership impossible.

√ Key Issues

Access to Public Transportation
New York City’s subway and bus system is a critical lifeline for many residents, but it can be challenging for people with disabilities to use. Many subway stations are not wheelchair accessible, and buses can be difficult to board and navigate for people with mobility impairments.
Sidewalk Accessibility
The condition of sidewalks in New York City can make it difficult for people with disabilities to get around. Cracked or uneven pavement, poorly placed construction barriers, and other obstacles can make it difficult or impossible for people with mobility impairments to navigate the city’s sidewalks.
Access to Public Buildings
Many public buildings in New York City, including government buildings, museums, and cultural institutions, are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. This can limit their ability to participate fully in civic life and cultural activities.
Housing Accessibility
Many housing units in New York City are not designed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. This can make it difficult for people with mobility impairments to find suitable housing, and can limit their ability to live independently.
Employment Opportunities
People with disabilities in New York City face significant barriers to employment. Despite laws that require employers to provide reasonable accommodations, many job applicants and employees with disabilities still face discrimination and exclusion from the workforce.

√ Social Media Accounts

CUNYDisability

Access & inclusion for the City University of New York’s students with disabilities

CID_NY

Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY): CIDNY is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and independence of people with disabilities in New York City.

divcommittee

Increasing diversity and cultural competency within urban planning, supporting POC, womxn, LGBTQ and planners with disabilities in the NY Metro Area.

dralegal

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is a non-profit legal center dedicated to securing the civil rights of people with disabilities. They may have a social media presence where they share information about their work, including their efforts in New York City.

NYCDisabilities

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD): The MOPD is an agency in New York City that works to ensure equal access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They may have social media accounts where they share information and updates on accessibility initiatives in the city.

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