A FAIRER CITY FOR ALL
A Disability Justice Platform for Lower Manhattan
New York City is home to over two million people living with disabilities—our neighbors, our family members, our veterans, our children. And yet too often, city policy treats disability access as an afterthought, not a civil right. That ends now. As a Democrat for City Council representing Lower Manhattan, Harvey Epstein is proud to introduce a bold, seven-point platform to make our city truly accessible, inclusive, and just. From school buses to job access, from subway elevators to emergency planning, this plan is built to break down systemic barriers and deliver real change for disabled New Yorkers.
1. A 7% Hiring Target for People with Disabilities in City Government
We will set a citywide goal to ensure that at least 7% of municipal employees—including in procurement and managerial roles—are people with disabilities. President Obama’s federal hiring initiative surpassed its 7% goal and achieved over 14%. New York City must meet and exceed that bar. We will recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals with disabilities across all agencies, ensuring our government reflects the diversity and strength of the people it serves.
2. Enforce Every IEP, for Every Student, in Every School
Students with disabilities have a legal right to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), but too many families in our schools face delays, denials, or outright neglect. As Council Member, Harvey will demand oversight and enforcement to guarantee that every IEP is honored in full. No more red tape, no more excuses—just the services, accommodations, and support our children deserve.
3. Fix the Broken Bus System for Students with Disabilities
Right now, students with disabilities are stuck on buses for hours each day and often can’t join after-school programs because of inflexible transportation. That’s unacceptable. We will modernize the busing system with shorter routes, smarter scheduling, and an after-school transportation option. Students with disabilities deserve a safe, efficient ride—and a full school experience.
4. Accessible Evacuation Centers and Emergency Plans
Emergency preparedness must include everyone. We will fight to ensure that Lower Manhattan—and every borough—has fully accessible evacuation centers and that emergency response plans account for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. No New Yorker should be left behind in a crisis.
5. Expand Internships and Career Pathways for Disabled New Yorkers
We will create paid internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship pipelines specifically for young people and adults with disabilities. These opportunities will be paired with advancement tracks inside City agencies and partner employers to ensure that disabled workers are not just hired, but supported and promoted.
6. Make the Subway 100% Accessible—On a Faster Timeline
Only about 30% of subway stations are accessible today. That’s a disgrace. We will hold the MTA accountable to an accelerated capital plan that delivers full accessibility across the system—not in 30 years, but in the next 10. That means elevators, ramps, signage, and platform access in every station that serves Lower Manhattan and beyond.
7. Expand On-Demand Transit Citywide and Replace Access-A-Ride
Access-A-Ride is broken—unreliable, slow, and humiliating for too many riders. We will expand the successful on-demand pilot to a citywide program that connects disabled riders to yellow cabs, for-hire vehicles, and accessible vans in real time. This system offers flexibility, speed, and dignity, and will serve as the foundation to fully phase out Access-A-Ride.
A City That Works for Everyone
Disability justice is social justice. It’s economic justice. It’s a matter of dignity and human rights. Our campaign is proud to center the needs of people with disabilities—not just with slogans, but with structural solutions. We won’t wait for change—we’ll build it. Let’s create a New York that works for everyone, especially those the system has too often left behind.