Advocates, council and city agencies spar over blocked curb ramps and bus stops after winter storms

The New York City Council convened an oversight hearing to examine how the city maintained pedestrian and transit access after heavy January and February 2026 snowstorms, with disability advocates telling the newly formed Committee on Disabilities that blocked curb ramps and uncleared sidewalks left many disabled New Yorkers housebound.

Council Member Shahana Hanif, chair of the Committee on Disabilities, opened the hearing by saying she was diagnosed with lupus at 17 and describing accessible transit as "infrastructure, dignity and survival." The hearing brought together the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), contractors and scores of advocates and residents.

Advocates focused on immediate effects: wheelchair users, seniors and others could not reach medical appointments, work or polling sites because curb cuts, crosswalk approaches and bus boarding areas were buried or frozen. Jean Ryan of Disabled In Action said many intended witnesses could not attend the hearing because they were stranded at home. Jonathan Hannon and other witnesses testified they filed 311 complaints and were told by DSNY…