06/04/2026
♿ Urge Assembly to pass Right to Wheelchair Repair Bill (A.6569)!
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Consumer Wheelchair Repair Bill of Rights (A.6569-B/S.4500-B) unanimously, after hard work from the Independent Living community to move the bill forward. This bill would improve repair processes for wheelchair users by requiring wheelchair manufacturers to provide any documents and parts needed to consumers who want to perform repairs themselves. It also establishes a timeline repair providers must adhere to for timely wheelchair repairs, eliminates prior authorizations for repairs, and establishes oversight of repair processes.
In the Assembly, A.6569-B is stalled, and there are only two days left to pass it. The Assembly is holding the bill due to concerns from two large national repair providers, even though this is a consumer bill of rights. Being without functional mobility equipment can leave wheelchair users bed bound, at high risk for pressure sores and other life-threatening issues. When repairs do not happen in a timely manner, people lose the ability to engage meaningfully with their community, cutting them off from their job, family, friends, and medical care. Despite hearing from advocates who shared their firsthand experiences with repair delays, the Assembly has prioritized appeasing corporations instead of standing up for the well-being and independence of wheelchair users.
Disabled New Yorkers wait months for their wheelchairs to be repaired. The legislature shouldn't make us wait months for a solution too. Call Assembly Speaker Carl Heastier TODAY to tell him A.6569-B (Bores) must be passed!
To call Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: Call the Assembly switchboard at 518-455-4100 and ask for the Speaker's office.
