July 25, 2025
They say you can get anything in New York City — and that includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) through taxi companies and rideshare apps. Uber’s and Lyft’s New York fleets include WAVs that enable people with disabilities to get a ride on demand, just as many other busy commuters do.
However, this ridesharing access is not common, according to New York-based attorney and disability rights advocate Aaron Marks. Aaron is an associate in the antitrust practice of Cohen Milstein, a plaintiff-side law firm representing disability rights organizations in a class-action lawsuit over rideshare companies’ lack of services for disabled passengers.
“There are jurisdictions and cities that have taken the initiative to force rideshare companies to stop blocking wheelchair users from their services, and New York City is one of them,” Aaron says. “We see in those jurisdictions that WAVs are available to people who need them.”
Accessible taxis and rideshares don’t exist everywhere. In cities like New York where they do, however, they’re a powerful reminder of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the opportunities that unfold when people with disabilities have the same access to transportation as their non-disabled friends and neighbors.
“Right now, there is a patchwork of local and state regulations, which leads to varying outcomes for people depending on where they happen to live,” Aaron says. “Somebody living in one city may have access to WAVs in their ridesharing app, but they could move to an apartment building across the street and no longer have access to the same vehicles because now they’re living in a different city. It’s an inconsistent experience.”
It’s important to understand that you have rights as a rideshare consumer with a disability. If you feel you’ve been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with Uber, Lyft, or whichever company you’re using.
You can also seek support from your state’s protection and advocacy agency (find a state protection agency) or file a complaint with the US Department of Justice (file a complaint).
Read WAV Taxis and Rideshares Open Doors for Inclusive Transportation.