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13 July 2015—

“This is an amazing day. We are sharing a historical moment together: New York City’s first-ever Disability Pride Parade. That’s pretty good, isn’t it!” said Mayor Bill de Blasio from a stage in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, when he kicked off the inaugural NYC Disability Pride Parade on Sunday, 12 July.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio at the first Disability Pride Parade.

While people were gathering, 4 Wheel City, a hip-hop duo in wheelchairs, warmed up the crown.

From the stage the rappers said, “We say four, you say wheels”

“Four”

“Wheels” the crowd responded.

“Four” one yelled again.

“Wheels” responded the crowd with joy.

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The hip-hop duo 4 Wheel City, and Andrea Dalzell, 2015 Ms. Wheelchair New York on the stage

Mayor Bill de Blasio, former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Victor Calise, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Andrea Dalzell, 2015 Ms. Wheelchair New York, and others came to the stage and made their remarks.

The grand marshal Tom Harkin who 25 years ago sponsored the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), said, “I may be retired from the Senate, but I’m not retired from the fight.”

“We are taking the torch from Tom Harkin, and going for to more” said Mayor, and continued that his administration is “very, very committed already on the issue of making 50 percent of all NYC taxis accessible by 2020.”

Right now about 4 percent of New York’s yellow cabs are accessible.

On housing Mayor de Blasio said, “We are making it easier to get affordable housing for people with disabilities, we want to give them every opportunity.”

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Mayor Bill de Blasio in blue shirt, next to him the grand marshal retired Senator Tom Harkin, in the front Victor Calise and Andrea Dalzell, 2015 Ms. Wheelchair New York.

Mayor de Blasio continued, “ Today we will roll and ride and walk together for a more just New York City,” and led participants from Madison Square Park to Union Square.

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People were dancing to marching band’s music.

Even though the atmosphere was happy and celebratory, people in the parade talked about existent problems on employment, accessibility, discrimination, and housing.

de Blasio declared July as Disability Pride Month in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to guarantee equal opportunities and rights for people with disabilities.

The city has planned a series of events relating to New Yorkers with disabilities.

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