A powerful legislator is lining up behind an effort to require the city’s cultural institutions to offer discounted tickets to people with disabilities.
Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, has sent a letter to the Department of Cultural Affairs, saying it’s only fair that the disabled get the same benefits as seniors and youngsters.
“I am requesting that your agency introduce discounted ticketing for people with disabilities at all NYC institutions. It is imperative that we eliminate all barriers to entry that a person living with disabilities might feel precludes them from enjoying this city’s many cultural offerings,” Crowley said in a June 13 letter to Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tim Finkelpearl.
“While many of the city’s cultural institutions offer discounted tickets for groups such as the elderly and students, few extend any such benefits to people with disabilities . . . I strongly believe that allowing people living with disabilities to purchase discounted tickets in the same vein as seniors and students would do a great deal to expand access to these resources in a critically under-served community.”
The Post recently reported how one disabled advocate, Adrian Edwards-Smith, launched a campaign to persuade movie theaters and museums to give federally disabled New Yorkers a break, as they do for senior citizens and kids.
Edwards-Smith said he’s appealing for help from New York’s congressional representatives because the de Blasio administration has been unresponsive.
“It’s not just about physical accessibility. It’s about financial accessibility,” he said.
“That was a beautiful letter sent by Congressman Crowley. It was very forceful.”
Eventually, he wants to get Congress to pass a law requiring all cultural institutions across the country to provide discounts to people with disabilities.
A spokeswoman for the city agency responded, “The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs is dedicated to the inclusion of people with disabilities, and just last month launched the Disability Forward Fund to support arts and cultural organizations in deepening their own efforts to engage this important community. While DCLA does not set the admissions policies of private non-profit organizations, we are always open to working with them on new ways to provide all New Yorkers access to and inclusion in the vibrant cultural life of our city.”