NUEVA YORK, N.Y. -- Mañana (martes), los defensores de los neoyorquinos con discapacidades pedirán al MTA que detenga el modelo de viaje compartido para su servicio Access-A-Ride , que se reanudó en julio, debido a los continuos riesgos para la salud pública.

La variante delta de COVID-19 es una de las principales razones por la que grupos como el Centro para la Independencia de Discapacitados de Nueva York están en contra de que MTA cambie una regla que permite que pasajeros viajen solos, la cual ha estado vigente durante la pandemia.

La Dra. Sharon McLennon-Wier de CIDNY dice que más de una persona a la vez, representa un riesgo para aquellos con complicaciones de salud que no pueden vacunarse.

"Creo que a este punto, se debe al menos permitir que el programa de viaje único continúe hasta que tengamos una mejor comprensión de las tasas de infección y las tasas de transmisión a medida que avanzamos hacia el otoño con la variante delta," opina McLennon-Wier.

Los conductores de Access-A-Ride son trabajadores contratados, por lo que no están obligados a seguir el mandato de vacunación de MTA .

McLennon-Wier señala que un pasajero puede pasar horas en tránsito para llegar a su destino debido a los múltiples viajes por la ciudad. Eso puede afectar en muchos aspectos de la vida, desde la capacidad para conseguir un empleo hasta atender citas.

McLennon-Wier dice que es posible que las personas tampoco se sientan seguras al tomar un autobús o tren, dependiendo de su discapacidad y las características de accesibilidad como los ascensores que son escasos y pueden derivar en un viaje más largo.

"Es problemático, podría ser un viaje de 20 minutos que se convierte en dos horas," dice McLennon-Wier. "Por eso la gente usa Access-A-Ride, porque es un servicio de puerta a puerta y no tienen alternativa, por el costo."

McLennon-Wier quien es ciega, reconoce que puede ser difícil para las personas que se consideran sanas comprender la importancia de un sistema de transporte más inclusivo.

"Creo que si la gente comienza a pensar que "esto podría pasarme a mi," o "este podría ser yo en cualquier momento," tal vez podríamos comenzar a obtener respuestas mas dignas sobre como vemos la accesibilidad y el transporte en la ciudad de Nueva York," enfatiza McLennon-Wier.

Los defensores darán a conocer sus demandas mañana (martes) a las 11 de la mañana frente a la sede administrativa de MTA en Manhattan.

Connecticut disability rights advocates are concerned about state and federal barriers to employment.

At the state level, Medicaid is the only health care plan covering necessary care some people with disabilities might need. Beyond that, they could face high out-of-pocket costs.

Jonathan Sigworth, president and CEO of the nonprofit More Than Walking, feels states can reform their Medicaid buy-in programs. Connecticut's buy-in program has a $10,000 asset limit, which he said restricts a disabled person's ability to work.

"The system is currently set up so that if you have the health care you need, the policies prevent you from working," Sigworth pointed out. "You'd have to choose between the two, essentially, in some cases. Those policies are really detrimental."

Having a job could force someone over what advocates call the "benefits cliff," when a person gets a raise, has a kid with a part-time job, or some other income increase, which then makes them ineligible for certain benefits. Connecticut's General Assembly considered several bills during its last session to alter programs with benefits cliffs, though none were passed.

Beyond state policies, the upcoming election is also concerning for Sigworth. He's troubled by Project 2025, a policy outline for former President Donald Trump's possible second term. It calls for removing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's consent decree power in instances of employment discrimination.

Sigworth noted it would terminate a key way for people with disabilities to fight workplace discrimination.

"There's one party, one argument in this country that talks about cutting regulations and in the same breath saying we should protect people with disabilities," Sigworth contended. "It's using the disabled community as a token audience."

Though Trump disavowed Project 2025, some disability rights advocates remain uncertain since he repeatedly tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Project 2025 also calls for federal spending cuts to programs like the Equity in IDEA program, which encompasses all policies ensuring fair treatment and access for students with disabilities.


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New York disability rights advocates are voicing concerns about changes to what's known as the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program.

On October 1, New York State will contract with a single provider for the program.

CDPAP provides services for people who are chronically ill or have physical limitations and who need help with daily life. Gov. Kathy Hochul says the reason for the change is to cut high Medicaid costs.

But Sharon McLennon-Wier, Ph.D - executive director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York - predicted the move will have resounding impacts.

"Anyone with a disability that has this program could lose their home healthcare assistance - either from maybe neighbors or friends, or even family members," said McLennon-Wier, "and we already know that there's a home health-aide shortage all over the country."

Gov. Hochul noted the program has been subject to mismanagement, but critics say she didn't consult its leaders.

Several agencies supporting the idea of keeping CDPAP local have been cited by the New York State Comptroller for wage theft. But the provider set to take it over isn't much better.

Public Partnerships LLC had contracts terminated in five other states, and was subject to class-action lawsuits over home-care workers' pay in Pennsylvania.

Feedback from New Yorkers with disabilities has mostly been questions about CDPAP's future.

McLennon-Wier said she is among those waiting to see what happens next - as she said they've received little guidance from the governor's office.

She added that it can be frightening to possibly lose much-needed care.

"I think anyone who has to depend on someone for that day-to-day care," said McLennon-Wier, "to have to worry - especially if they live alone - is really something that, mentally, that a person in this situation shouldn't have to deal with."

A bill has been introduced in the New York State Legislature to curb these changes. If it passes, it would require any CDPAP provider to be licensed by the State Department of Health starting in 2026.

Currently, providers can operate without formal licensure.

Big Tex is up and the Ferris wheel is spinning at the 138th State Fair of Texas. And again, this year the Fair is making special accommodations for anyone who might be sensitive to the bright lights and loud sounds.

For the sixth year, the Fair is offering Sensory Friendly Mornings every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Taylor Pulfer, the fair's director of communications, said the program makes the event accessible for everyone.

"We turn down all of the flashy blinky lights, we turn down all of the sounds, you won't hear music throughout the grounds, even Big Tex's voice is lowered," Pulfer said, "and so it gives individuals who might struggle with sensory sensitivities an easier experience. "

The Fair has also created a special guided itinerary with a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. More information is available at BigTex.com/Sensory.

Around 2.3 million people attended the Fair during its 24-day run last year. The fairgrounds are open to the public on Sensory Friendly Mornings, but Pulfer said the Midway will be designated as a "quiet zone" during the special hours.

"We still can't take away all of the sounds that might be occurring out on the grounds, and we understand that there might be a situation where maybe you have a four-year-old child who has autism and he's just having a meltdown, and you need to step away," Pulfer said. "That's that place that we've created for you to take your child and be able to have a second to depressurize."

She said a restroom made specifically to accommodate people with disabilities will also be available on Wednesday mornings.

"That might need that extra changing space to assist, maybe, an adult with a disability," Pulfer said. "Think of all the sounds that come from a bathroom. You have your hand dryers, all of the flushing, all of the sinks, and so sometimes getting - like a child with autism - into a bathroom, that itself can cause the meltdown. "

The Fair runs through Oct. 20.


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