July 26 will mark the 35th year since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. To commemorate this milestone, MTA Accessibility is hosting, attending, and participating in various events throughout the month of July. We hope you’ll join us! We look forward to celebrating ADA 35 and collaborating with you!
Stay tuned for more updates over the next few weeks as more events are added! And, if you have an event that you think would be a good opportunity to collaborate with MTA Accessibility, please email us at accessibility@mtahq.org or fill out this form.
Read on for a list of events!
Upcoming MTA events
Pathways to Access: MTA and the ADA
Hosted by the New York Transit Museum and MTA Accessibility
Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Time: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Location: NYU CUSP Building in Downtown Brooklyn (370 Jay Street, Room 1201) and Zoom
Learn more and register for Pathways to Access, in-person or via Zoom.
In celebration of the 35 years since the passage of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), MTA leadership and the New York Transit Museum discuss the newest accessibility enhancements in the city’s transit system and the strides made to advance accessibility for all. Join us to learn about the history of MTA accessibility, as well as key initiatives such as street-to-platform elevators, modern accessible fare gates, and enhanced digital communication tools.
Moderated by Amy Boyle, Assistant Deputy Director, Education and Public Programs of the New York Transit Museum, this panel discussion includes Quemuel Arroyo, Chief Accessibility Officer and Senior Advisor to the Chairman; Rachel Cohen, Vice President of Paratransit; Shanifah Rieara, Chief Customer Officer and Senior Advisor to the Chairman; and Steven Loehr, Deputy Chief Development Officer.
The program will be livestreamed via zoom. Registration is required for in person and livestream.
Other upcoming events
ADA 35th Anniversary ADA BBQ Celebration
Hosted by CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD)
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: Queens College Student Union Lot (65-30 Kissena Blvd Queens, NY, 11367)
Join CCSD for a day of community fun. Bring your family and friends for raffles, entertainment, food and more!
For more information, email queenscollege.cds@gmail.com.
Previous events
Lunch and Learn: Accessibility, Technology, and Transit in the New York Metropolitan Region
Panel with MTA Accessibility, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Partnership for NYC
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Time: 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Check out the Lunch & Learn recording.
Join us for a lunch and learn panel with MTA Accessibility, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Partnership for NYC discussing how technological innovations have impacted accessible travel and how New York City regional transit agencies have approached the use of these new technologies.
A publicly available recording will be available after the event. Attendees must register for the event. ASL and captions will be provided. If additional accommodations are needed, please contact accessibility@mtahq.com by July 15.
Beyond the ADA: Navigating with NaviLens
MTA Accessibility invites you to join us at 14 St-Union Square station to test NaviLens and NaviLensGO wayfinding apps with us and give us your feedback directly!
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Time: 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
Where to find us: Union Sq Station,* inside the accessible entrance at the NE corner of 14 St and Union Sq E.
Members of the MTA Accessibility team will be tabling in Union Square station* on Saturday, July 19 to offer customers an opportunity to test out the apps with our team and provide feedback directly to us! We invite all customers to test out NaviLens or NaviLens Go at one of the most complex stations in the system--please tell your friends, family, colleagues, and networks to come see us! We hope you will join us, even if you only have a few minutes to spare!
Navigate NYC with Confidence: An Info Session on Accessible Transportation
Hosted by NYC Department of Transportation
Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Watch the recording of the virtual event.
Join the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) for an online session for older adults and people with disabilities. Hear from key transportation agencies, learn about new accessibility programs, and get tips and tools to help you get around more easily.
Whether you're a regular transit rider, a caregiver, or just getting started, this session will give you helpful information to support your travel in the Greater NYC area.