United Spinal Association's Taxis For All-North America project director Terence J. Moakley reverses his wheelchair into the Standard Taxi prototype, the first factory built sedan taxi that also incorporates wheelchair access features, at the National Accessible Taxi Summit in New York City.

Terence J. Moakley, director of the United Spinal Association's Taxis For All- North America project, reversed his wheelchair into the Standard Taxi prototype, the first factory-built sedan taxi that also incorporates wheelchair access features such as a front wheelchair seating location and a recessed access ramp at the National Accessible Taxi Summit in New York City, April 11. Moakley has been actively involved in the accessible taxi movement since 1996 and is recognized as one of the nation's leading experts on wheelchair-accessible taxicabs. Manufacture of the Standard Taxi is set to begin in 2008.

Moakley stated, "United Spinal Association believes that accessible taxis are the missing link in a fully accessible transportation system in our nation. And we believe there is a persuasive economic incentive to increase them: once greater numbers of accessible taxis are available, the demand for ADA-required paratransit service will shrink and cities' costs will go down." Moakley added, "Accessible taxis are a win-win for local public transportation systems and people with disabilities."

United Spinal Association is a not-forprofit membership organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The organization drafted significant portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. United Spinal pioneered accessible transit in New York City, which became a nationwide model for implementing the public bus and rail system provisions of the ADA, and continues to press for the rights of people with disabilities through state and federal legislation, the courts, grass roots advocacy and education.

For more information about United Spinal's "Taxis For All-North America" online advocacy project, visit www.taxisforallNA.org.

This summer, United Spinal Association is hosting the most important conference and expo of the year for spinal cord injury and Rehabilitation professionals, researchers, and therapists: The 2007 North American Spinal Cord Injury Conference and Disability Expo, August 27-29, at the luxurious Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. More than 100 exhibitors will be on hand with interactive displays and demonstrations. Also offered is an exciting new concurrent conference, "Creating Your Future: Living With a Disability," designed specifically for individuals with disabilities, caregivers, friends and families. For more information or to register online, visit www.sciconference.org