Statement from Rodney Stanford, President of the American Council of the Blind of New York, Regarding Governor Hochul’s Autonomous Vehicle Proposal
“Members and leaders of the American Council of the Blind of New York have long been hopeful about the possibilities offered by the development of autonomous vehicle technology. We appreciate the leadership of Governor Hochul and the efforts of so many in the executive and legislative branches of state government to get this right, for all of us.
We strongly encourage the safe commercial use of autonomous vehicles throughout the state as soon as possible. Adding autonomous vehicles to the marketplace will help our community live more independent lives, be more productive, and to participate more fully in our communities. There is still much work to be done to turn the promise of autonomous vehicle technology into a tangible reality. ACBNY stands ready to continue advocating for this technology and supporting those who are doing the work to make this happen.”
On background
- We are also mindful of the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits this technology can bring to all New Yorkers, but want to draw special attention to this as a potential game-changer for those of us who don’t have the ability to safely operate a traditional vehicle.
- Transportation is very often a major challenge for people who are blind or have low vision. It can be a real impediment to members of our community living independently and realizing their full potential. Employment, education, socialization, healthcare, and participation in commerce all require accessible, affordable, and reliable transportation, and ride-share denials are a frequent feature of being blind across the country.
- Public transportation and/or ParaTransit systems do provide options in some locations, on some routes, and at some times. But this service is not available throughout the state. And even where it is, there are often logistical challenges. Many in our community end up defaulting to private taxis or ride-share services for at least some of their transportation needs, but there continues to be a significant issue with discrimination directed at blind users of legal service animals.
- Some of our local affiliates, along with our national organization, have worked with Waymo to make autonomous transportation more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. ACB, at all levels, appreciates Waymo’s commitment to building a future with greater independence and mobility for all.
December 16, 2025: Website Reset Coming Soon
In a long-awaited and much-needed announcement, the Electronic Resources Committee is hereby giving notice that ACBNY is in the process of doing a complete overhaul and update of its website. Please be patient with us as we work through the content that is currently online, much of it outdated. We hope to launch the all-new ACBNY.info site soon after the beginning of 2026.
In the meantime, please click here for our latest newsletter. It is packed with information about the organization, including the best ways to get in touch with our leadership team.