We keep electing folks who make promises of a better tomorrow, and yet it seems nothing gets done. Victor Dias Rodrigues’ documentary short, All Riders, follows the efforts of disabilities activists, including Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, to keep New York’s MTA accountable and follow the laws put forward by the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The problem at hand is that citizens in wheelchairs have difficulty not only traveling in crowded subways, but their access to the subway is hampered by the lack of elevators and a steady stream of random outages. Citizens with disabilities are made to feel second-class because they are denied jobs, education, and access to public transportation.
“..their access to the subway is hampered by the lack of elevators and a steady stream of random elevator outages.”
Under the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state has pledged $51 billion to modernize the subway system. But, guess what’s not included in this modernization? You guessed it—elevator or ramps for the disabled.
All Riders exists to get the message out. The documentary subjects are shown protesting, talking with government allies (which is another horrifying story), and expressing a tremendous amount of frustration. You will feel frustrated as well. Sadly, All Riders presents a problem with no real solution in sight.
"…expressing a tremendous amount of frustration. You will feel frustrated as well."
