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Designed for access

Wheelchair accessible vehicles are converted after they are built to add a ramp. The MV1 was the first vehicle designed to be wheelchair accessible. The makers hoped that NYC would purchase their accessible “Standard” taxis, but they bought a different model. “The Taxi of Tomorrow” had a ramp in the back, so passengers in wheelchairs couldn’t sit next to their friends or family. The MV1 was discontinued in 2016.
A promotional booklet spread showing the side profile of a yellow wheelchair-accessible Standard Taxi with its side door open and ramp extended.

Date: c. 2011

Image Description: A two-page promotional booklet spread showcasing the bright yellow “Standard Taxi,” a purpose-built wheelchair-accessible taxicab shown in side profile with its passenger door open and integrated ramp deployed. Circular photo insets and callouts highlight technical and accessibility features, including “Forward-facing ADA/CSA D-409 Wheelchair Accessible Space with Comfort Grip Assist Handles,” “Seats Four Passengers in Rear Compartment with Seat Belt Restraints,” “Extra-Large Trunk Space,” and “Pre-Wired to Accommodate a Meter, Dispatch Unit, Top Light, In-Taxi Camera, N.Y.C. ‘PIM’, and GPS.” In the upper right, a quote in red text reads: “‘I’m ready to drive it any time. I check everything. It has enough space and is comfortable. It is a good deal, a really good idea.’ —Hadi Nagi, Seattle Yellow Cab Driver, September 20, 2006 Seattle Post Intelligencer.”

Creator: Standard Taxi, LLC

Source: Disabled In Action (DIA) Collection

A promotional brochure diagram showing a cutaway view of the wheelchair-accessible MV-1 vehicle with its side ramp deployed.

Date: c. 2010s

Image Description: An inside spread from a promotional brochure for the MV-1 (Mobility Vehicle 1) by VPG (Vehicle Production Group), illustrating the vehicle’s wheelchair-accessible design. The center features a cutaway rendering of a silver-blue MV-1 with a deployed side ramp, spacious interior floor, and rear bench seat, alongside green callout lines reading: “Comfortable rear seat provides a perfect fit for everyone,” “Anti-slip covering provides great traction and a safer entry and exit,” “Easy entry and exit for all passengers with a floor to ceiling height of nearly 5 feet and a low step-in,” and “Ramp exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines with 1,200 lb. capacity.” At the top are smaller views of a bronze MV-1 and its standalone chassis frame, bordered by curved photo insets of wheelchair users outdoors and playing basketball.

Creator: Vehicle Production Group (VPG)

Source: Disabled In Action (DIA) Collection

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