Thousands participate in the first New York Disability Pride Parade

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Mayor Bill de Blasio kicked off the inaugural NYC Disability Pride Parade, saying he’s proud his city is a leader in supporting rights for disabled people.

The grand marshal was former US Senator Tom Harkin, the Democrat who 25 years ago sponsored the Americans With Disabilities Act.

De Blasio said his administration is “very, very committed already on the issue of accessible taxis, but all Tom Harkin had to do was say London was doing better to get my competitive fire going,” the mayor said, laughing.

About 4 percent of New York’s yellow cabs are accessible, said Allan Fromberg, a spokesman for the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission, compared to London, where every taxi can handle wheelchairs.

In New York City, de Blasio declared July as “Disability Pride Month” in honor of the 25th anniversary of the landmark U.S. act that aims to guarantee equal opportunities and rights for people with disabilities.