Hail ACCESSIBLE TAXIS!

"We worked so well together, I'd like to bottle it," said Yolanda Treiguts. She and 2 other people with MS from the Chicago-Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society successfully countered the objections of Chicago's powerful taxicab companies to pass a new ordinance providing accessible taxicabs.

On a trip to San Francisco last year, Ms. Treiguts, who regularly uses a cane, or a scooter for long distances, learned that the paratransit system there included ramped accessible taxicabs. "Accessible cabs were available in 28 other cities, but not in Chicago. For years I've observed people with MS being stranded because public transportation couldn't provide the needed services," she added.

Her determination now fueled, Ms. Treiguts began to look for an ally. No one was interested at the first government agencies she contacted, so she decided to go to the top and called the office of Mayor Richard M. Daley. There she found a sympathetic aid who later informed Chicago's Commissioner of Consumer Services, Caroline Schoenberger, of Yolanda Treiguts's personal mission.

In early June, Ms. Treiguts got an unexpected call from Commissioner Schoenberger asking if she would serve on an advisory committee to draft a city ordinance which would include a provision for wheelchair accessibility. She had her ally!

Determined to get the ordinance passed, Yolanda Treiguts began recruiting help from the chapter's Government Relations Committee, of which she is a member. "When one of the other members, Leigh Gilmore, said, `Just tell us what to do and we'll do it,' I knew immediately that we would get the job done."

Maureen Howard, co-chair of the Government Relations Committee, also agreed to help. Ms. Howard uses a scooter, and well understood the importance of fighting for this ordinance. Her extensive experience in legislative advocacy would turn out to be of great service.

The first meeting of the commissioner's advisory committee included the 3 women from the chapter, and 12 taxi owners. "I felt like we were in a Damon Runyon story," recalled Ms. Treiguts. The strong opposition from the taxicab owners made it clear that passing this ordinance was not going to be easy. For the next 5 months, they attended 1 or 2 meetings every week.

In November, with an initial ordinance drafted, the 3 women testified before the transportation committee of the city council. There was pandemonium. The packed council chamber was filled with hostile and vocal opponents. "But," Yolanda Treiguts remembered, "when Leigh Gilmore began to testify the whole chamber turned quiet, and when she finished the entire room applauded. It gave me goose bumps."

In her testimony, Maureen Howard explained, "We don't want to pay less than anyone else to use a taxi, and we don't want to pay more. We only want to be able to access a cab like any other citizen in the city."

The ordinance was passed unanimously, and went into effect on September 1, 1998. One million dollars has been earmarked for the acquisition of wheelchair-accessible, ramp-equipped minivan taxicabs, and each taxicab company with more than 10 cabs is required to have at least one ramped taxi. The ordinance also penalizes available taxicab drivers who refuse to pick up riders with physical disabilities. Continued advocacy will be needed to fully implement the ordinance.

"We have now joined 25 other cities in the U.S. that are addressing the need for wheelchair-accessible taxicabs," noted Maureen Howard.

"To actually see how something can be done, to see that ordinance pass--I can't describe what it feels like," Yolanda Treiguts said. "in the end, though, you do it for the people who need the service, and that's a wonderful high."

Fred Reuland is the chapter programs coordinator at the Chicago-Greater Illinois Chapter