What is happening

The City of Cortland is voting on a law that would require registration of Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs).

Why this matters

EPAMDs are legitimate mobility aids for people with disabilities. This includes electric wheelchairs and other electric mobility devices. 

Without clear language exempting these devices, this new law could require fees, permits, or special registration for motorized wheelchairs and other essential mobility aids. 

The Cortland city council members must respect people with disabilities by not placing unnecessary burdens on them.

What we are asking the Council to do

• Either scrap this law altogether, or add an explicit exemption for devices used as mobility aids.
• Ensure no fees, permits, or registrations apply to mobility aids.
• Publish clear guidance so residents and staff understand that this cannot be used against mobility aids.

UPDATE:

The Cortland City Council has decided to table the motion to pass the ordinance following the last Council meeing on Aug 19th. At this time, no further discussion has been set. If the ordinance is re-considered, we will make sure that it is written with respect to those who use mobility aids. Thank you to everyone who reached out to the City Council and attended the meeting!

We still encourage you to reach out to the City Council to make it clear that when, or if, they do revisit this ordinance, a clear exception should be made for mobility aids. 

Key talking points

• People with disabilities must be able to use mobility aids without fees or permits.
• Segways and similar devices can be mobility aids in some cases.
• Ambiguous language could extend the law to motorized wheelchairs and other essential devices.
• The Council can fix this quickly by scrapping the law entirely, or at least adding an exemption for mobility aids.

Email Template

Subject: Please add an exemption for mobility aids to the EPAMD registration law

Hello Council Members,

I am asking you to either scrap the EPAMD registration proposal, or to amend it to include a clear exemption for mobility aids for disabled people. Segways and similar devices are sometimes used as mobility aids by people with disabilities.

You should not be burdening disabled people with extra fees, permits, or registration requirements for mobility aids, and limit questions to whether the device is needed because of a disability and what type of device it is.

Without clear language, this law risks being misapplied to motorized wheelchairs and other essential mobility aids. That would violate the lives and wellbeing of people in your city who have need for mobility aids.

Please:

• Either scrap this proposal or exempt devices used as mobility aids.

• Ensure no fees or registration apply to mobility aids.
• Publish clear guidance for residents and staff about this exemption.

We hope that you will protect and defend residents of your city who need mobility devices to function. Thank you for reading this.

[Your Name]

Contact the City Council

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