De Blasio Honors Disabled, Promises Action on Sidewalks

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio took time off the presidential campaign trail Thursday night to tout his administration’s efforts to make the city accessible to people with disabilities.

But he acknowledged the city still has much work ahead.

“Holding us accountable is the only way forward,” de Blasio told a crowd of disability rights advocates, city employees and others at the annual Sapolin Accessibility Awards at Gracie Mansion. “It reminds us we have more to do.”

About 800 people attended the event, which honors leaders and businesses who help advance opportunities for people with disabilities.

De Blasio lauded his administration’s initiative to make all 162,000 sidewalk curbs accessible to people in wheelchairs.

“Who knew New York City had so many curbs?” De Blasio asked the audience.

But Thursday’s event comes one week after a judge signed off on a settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed against the city by the Center for Independence for the Disabled, NY to improve sidewalk accessibility.

The original settlement was reached in March, and requires the city to survey which sidewalks need to be updated to be compliant with federal law.

Thursday’s event also commemorated the 29th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

“We must remember the ADA is a floor, not a ceiling,” said Victor Calise, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. “Accessibility is a civil and human rights issue.”

Awardees included such New York City institutions as the Whitney Museum and the Mets. Calise praised the Whitney for providing tools for the hearing and visually impaired — such as large print exhibition labels, assistive listening systems and an American Sign Language mobile guide. The Mets’ Citi Field was praised for its Access-A-Ride bus stop, as well as assistive listing devices.

Richard Surpan, founder of the Independence Care System, a nonprofit organization that aims to help seniors and adults with physical disabilities live at home, received the Freida Zames Advocacy Award.

“We know we still have a long way to go until people with disabilities can enjoy everything this city has to offer,” Calise said.