New York City’s Open Streets Program Faces Lawsuit by People with Disabilities

The lawsuit was filed in Brooklyn federal court on behalf of about 12 New York City people with disabilities.

They allege what this programmore than opening the streets, it closes them and hinders the passage of vehicles and transportation needed by seniors and New Yorkers with mobility issuesviolating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

And it is that this three-year-old program was created to close some streets to vehicular traffic so that on certain days businesses can use the streets to place tables, as well as so that pedestrians can circulate, exercise and carry out carry out cultural and children’s activities.

The lawsuit states that “the open streets program transforms streets into public squares, but refuses to understand the impact of placing barricades, barriers and other impediments for people with mobility problems.”

This program was created in 2020 as a temporary measure to help people live safely in the face of the COVID19 pandemic.

The city council later established it as a permanent program in 2021. It currently covers about 300 blocks in 160 sites in the city.

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