BRONX DISABILITY ADVOCATE DEMANDS YANKEES CUT TIES WITH UBER OVER PROMOTION
Advocate Slams Yankees in Letter to Owner Hal Steinbrenner
Yankees Claim to Support Disability Community but Partnered with Uber, Which Discriminates Against Wheelchair Users
In a letter to owner Hal Steinbrenner, Bronx wheelchair user Dustin Jones said the team’s recent promotion with Uber discriminated against him due to the company’s lack of wheelchair accessible cars. Jones demanded a meeting with Steinbrenner and demanded that the Yankees cancel any future partnerships with Uber until the company puts accessible cars on the road.
The New York Yankees host an annual Disability Awareness Night at the stadium to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The team touts the new stadium “a model of accessibility.” But Jones now criticizes the Yankees for their recent partnership on a promotion with Uber – a company that that the disability advocates says discriminates against wheelchair users.
Uber has more than 30,000 cars in New York City but none are wheelchair accessible. Jones, who leads the advocacy group United for Equal Access New York, previously filed a discrimination complaint against Uber with the City’s Commission on Human Rights. That complaint is under review.
The company has yet to put accessible vehicles on the road, even after numerous complaints from wheelchair users who are unable to use the service.
Back May, Uber announced the seasonlong partnership with the New York Yankees. The rideshare company introduced a designated pickup area at the stadium where fans could more easily connect with their drivers. Uber also has had a ticket giveaway promotion during the recent subway series.
New York Yankees management has not yet responded to Mr. Jones’ letter.
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