TAXIS FOR ALL!
United Spinal Association, a national disability rights organization that provides services to members with spinal cord injuries and disorders, announced its endorsement of the new Standard Taxi, a low-volume purpose-built taxicab which has been engineered from the ground up — specifically for taxi and paratransit owners and operators.
As Director of Special Projects and Manager of United Spinal’s “Taxis For All – North America” program, Terence J. Moakley was with the designers and innovators of the Standard Taxi on September 18th in Seattle where this unique vehicle was unveiled to the 19th Annual Conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators.
Moakley, who is a wheelchair user, noted, “The Standard Taxi’s recessed access ramp and its other Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant features will enable it to accommodate passengers of all ages and abilities.” Moakley added, “There are 2.7 million individuals in this country who use wheeled mobility devices daily, so the availability of the Standard Taxi will provide an important new accessible transportation option to persons with disabilities.”
United Spinal Association developed the Taxis For All – North America project to be an online resource tool which is geared to educate the public about the benefits of and the need for accessible taxi service, and to increase local advocacy for such service. Moakley stated, “If local advocacy is successful, people will realize that the Standard Taxi is the vehicle to buy. It is built to be a taxi and it is built to be durable and easy to maintain for taxi and paratransit service.” Interested individuals can register at www.taxisforallNA.org to receive periodic updates concerning successful taxi advocacy strategies.
In addition to the Standard Taxi’s forward-facing wheelchair/scooter location, there are seating positions for four passengers. For the driver, the Standard Taxi incorporates an ergonomically-designed upright driver’s seat, with an integrated airbag, to prevent back conditions. To minimize service and repair costs, many of the Standard Taxi’s exterior panels are interchangeable. Replacement parts will be readily available at regional retail suppliers. The vehicle is also pre-wired to accept meters, dispatch units, in-taxi safety cameras, and GPS. Manufacturing of the Standard Taxi is scheduled to begin the last quarter of 2007 and it will retail at a price that is competitive with taxicab vehicles currently in operation. For further information, visit www.standardtaxi.com.
United Spinal Association’s mission is to provide expertise, create access to resources and strengthen hope, thereby enabling people with spinal cord injuries and disorders to fulfill their potential as active members of their communities. The organization enjoys a history of achievement in the area of transportation, including successful litigation in New York City and Philadelphia to improve access for wheelchair users to public transportation stations and vehicles, and service to the U.S. Congress by providing assistance in crafting the transportation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. United Spinal Association leads the Taxis For All Campaign coalition in New York City.