Mayor's Office honors 'relentless' disability advocate

NEW YORK - James Weisman, president and CEO of United Spinal Association, was awarded a certificate of recognition from the Mayor's Office for People With Disabilities during the recent Disability Awareness Night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y. Weisman received the certificate for his advocacy to expand disability rights and access to transportation for wheelchair users in New York City and across the country. “When Jim is at the table, he is vocal and relentless in the pursuit of equality,” said Victor Calise, commissioner at the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. “He not only points out the issues that need to be fixed but comes with solutions and understanding that we all need to work together to improve people's lives.” Weisman is a recognized expert on disability rights and has led efforts on public transit and taxicab accessibility in New York City and other major cities. Most recently, Weisman and United Spinal played a pivotal role in securing an historic settlement agreement with New York City to make every street corner in every borough wheelchair accessible. The agreement calls for the completion of pedestrian ramp installations and upgrades at the about 162,000 street corners in the city.