—MEDIA ALERT—
Contact: Eric Kuo
(718) 753-8833

REDUCE UNNECESSARY HURDLES FOR DISABILITY PARKING PERMITS

WHO: Council Members Simcha Felder and Oliver Koppell
Edith Prentiss, President, 504 Democratic Club
Alberta L. Orr, Exec. Director, Disabilities Network of NYC

WHAT: Press conference introducing legislation requiring the
Department of Transportation accept MTA Access-A-Ride ID cards and
reduced-fare MetroCards as proof of identity for applicants of NYC
Disability Parking Permits

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Wednesday, March 26

WHERE: Steps of City hall

Council Members Simcha Felder and Oliver Koppell will introduce
legislation allowing applicants of NYC disability parking permits to
use MTA Access-A-Ride ID cards or reduced-fare MetroCards as proof of
identity. Currently, the NYC Department of Transportation requires
Department of Motor Vehicles issued identification as proof of
identity. Since many applicants do not drive, it is a burden to get
DMV issued identification. In addition, many applicants have MTA
Access-A-Ride ID cards or reduced-fare MetroCards, both of which have
a thorough application process.

"This is common-sense legislation that removes unnecessary hurdles,"
Council Member Felder said. "The Department of Transportation should
accept a variety of valid identification to make it easier to go
through the application process."

Council Member Koppell, Chair, Committee on Mental Health, Mental
Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services, said,
"This legislation will help to streamline the application process for
people with disabilities to receive special parking permits. As Chair
of the Council Committee charged with oversight of the City's
disability services, I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation with
Council Member Simcha Felder."

--
Eric Kuo
Communications Director
Office of Council Member Simcha Felder
New York City Council

718-853-2704 (District Office)
212-788-7357 (City Hall Office)
718-753-8833 (Mobile)