United Spinal Association wwwiunitedspinal.org. May 25, 2016 The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Dear Governor Cuomo, With the State Assembly reportedly considering legislation that would allow Uber and other Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to expand throughout the state [ am writing to ask that you make TNC vehicle accessibility for wheelchair users a condition of your support. As you know, Uber has 30,000 cars operating in New York City and not one is wheelchair accessible. In fact, Uber has fought efforts to make its fleet wheelchair accessible at the same time as it seeks to provide ADA paratransit services in cities around the country including New York City. This “separate but equal” argument is an affront to wheelchairs users and is inconsistent with the important civil rights agenda that your administration has advanced in New York during your tenure as Govemor. Other states look to us — and to your administration in particular —as a paragon of equal opportunity and equal access for all. There is no reason why this dynamic should exclude wheelchair accessibility. You were responsible for the creation of NYC's new, first in the nation, wheelchair accessible taxi program when you lead the fight four years ago to add 2,000 new accessible yellow cabs to the City’s fleets. Unfortunately, because Uber recruited taxi drivers to operate non-accessible vehicles, only 350 of those taxis ever got on the road and the Taxi and Limousine Commission has no plans to add the other 1,650 because there are no buyers for the new medallions. Our settlement of a lawsuit with New York City for 50% taxi access by 2020 is jeopardized by the inaccessible TNCs as taxi fleets shrink, and drivers and passengers migrate. Please insure that wheelchair accessible, on demand, for hire vehicle service statewide is readily available to wheelchair users as well as to those who walk. Thank you for your consideration, Sincerely, ‘James Weisman President & CEO 120-34 QUEENS BLVD. SUITE 320 - KEW GARDENS, NY 11415 - 800.404.2898