Washington, D.C., disability advocates are upset that many area cab companies will miss a June 29 deadline to make a portion of their taxis wheelchair-accessible. The original deadline of December 2014 has already been pushed back six months.

“I’m deeply disappointed that the taxi commission isn’t enforcing the law, but also disappointed that the District’s mayor and council members aren’t doing anything to ensure the law is enforced” says Carol Tyson, senior policy associate for United Spinal Association.

The D.C. Taxi Act of 2012, was supposed to fix the lack of accessible taxis in the District. Cab companies were mandated to make 6 percent of their taxis wheelchair accessible by June 29 and 12 percent by the end of 2016 and 20 percent by the end 2018. Companies unable to meet the June deadline may file for 180-day extensions.

Under the law, the District of Columbia Taxi Commission can revoke licenses for companies not in compliance by the deadline but aren’t required to. Tyson says enforcing the law isn’t a high priority for the taxi commission, mayor or the District city council.

Incentives to purchase accessible taxis were to be created by the For-Hire Vehicle Accessible Amendment Act of 2014. The legislation would fund the purchase of accessible vehicles through a 1 percent fee on all taxis and services such as Uber and Lyft. Tax credits were also to be made available for those upgrading existing taxis or purchasing new accessible taxis.

Unfortunately, because legislators aren’t sure how much revenue will be generated from the fee, the Washington, D.C., city council is waiting to determine the exact amount that would have to be assessed on all for-hire drivers.

Tyson wants the current law enforced as quickly as possible and wants the law to apply to independent drivers and not just cab companies. “There’s a real need for people who use wheelchairs to be able to access real on demand transportation,” she says.