County Executive Maggie Brooks and Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced today the creation of “Democracy Rides,” a volunteer effort to provide free rides to the polls for people with disabilities. The program is sponsored by the Monroe County-City of Rochester Council for People with Disabilities (COPD), an advisory board to the officials.

“We heard from a number of disabled residents that getting to the polls was just too difficult and expensive,” said Kathy Tanchick, Chair of the COPD. “The Council believes that there should be no barriers to participation in government and recruited some very caring companies to help. We hope that people who need lifts for their wheelchairs or scooters or other assistance will take advantage of this free service.”

Medicab, Medical Motor Service and Monroe Ambulance and Medical Transportation have each agreed to donate 20 rides per company to help people with accessibility issues get to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. People needing rides should call the company of their choice by Friday, October 30 to schedule a ride. Due to the necessary medical appointments of their regular customers, the companies ask riders to be flexible in their timing requests.

“This is a great example of the collaborative spirit of volunteerism present in our community. When confronted with a problem, there is never a doubt that our citizens will work together to find a solution,” County Executive Brooks said.  “The Council saw a need and figured out a way to help, and we are tremendously grateful to them and to the transportation companies for their commitment.”

“We asked the Council to identify areas in which there barriers existed for people with disabilities and to help us eliminate those barriers,” Mayor Duffy said. “This is the kind of creativity and determination we are fortunate to have from the volunteers in our community.”

The COPD is a nine-member advisory board made up of people representing a broad cross-section of disabilities. The COPD, County Executive Brooks and Mayor Duffy would especially like to thank Don Mead from Medicab, Bill McDonald of Medical Motor Service, and Bill Beideck of Monroe Ambulance and Medical Transportation for their generous support of this program.

Click on the link below for program details.  For more information, contact: 

Molly Clifford, City of Rochester, 428-7288

Kara Halstead, Monroe County, 753-1004