Gravesend NYCHA tenants demand ADA-accessible ramps
Residents with mobility challenges say getting in and out of buildings often requires waiting for help and carefully navigating the stairs.
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For some residents of the Marlboro Houses, what looks like a short flight of steps can be a daily barrier just to get inside their homes.
Residents with mobility challenges say getting in and out of buildings often requires waiting for help and carefully navigating the stairs.
“I have to sit out and wait for somebody to come by and help me put my walk up, and then I pull myself up on the rail and stuff to get up," said resident Annie Batts.
Out of nearly 4,000 residents across 28 buildings, only five have accessible ramps, something residents say leaves many people with disabilities or mobility issues struggling to safely access their homes.
“Half of these buildings don't have ramps. Eighty percent of these people are walkers in these projects, and they need the help. We need ramps,” said resident Kimberly Astor.
Frustrated advocates are now stepping in by launching a petition that’s already halfway to its 50-signature goal. The petition is urging NYCHA to act on long-standing concerns.
Safety concerns are also being raised.
“I saw a lady this morning when she was coming down. She was holding onto the rail and also holding onto her shopping cart at the same time. It's a very dangerous situation. There should be a ramp there for safety procedures,” said community advocate John Ricottone.
Residents say the issue isn’t new, pointing to years - and in some cases, decades - of complaints.
“Come on. Enough is enough. We had enough. We had enough. We tired now, and we speaking up,” said resident René Gary.
NYCHA says requests for accessibility upgrades at Marlboro Houses are in the final stages of review, and that it continues to evaluate additional requests.
