State Senate Passes Sen. Fahy’s Consumer Wheelchair Repair Act to End Repair Monopoly
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jun. 3) – Today, New York State Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) and Senator Jake Ashby (R—Castleton) announced that the State Senate passed the Consumer Wheelchair Repair Act (S.4500 Fahy/A.6569 Bores), aimed at addressing long repair wait times and limited consumer choice for powered wheelchair users. The bill would require manufacturers to provide independent repair providers and wheelchair owners with the necessary parts, tools, and documentation to conduct repairs, ensuring a more competitive and accessible repair market. The bill has returned to the Assembly for approval.
The legislation honors Killian Polarolo, a young New Yorker and wheelchair user whose family has experienced firsthand the challenges caused by lengthy repair delays and limited access to service. Killian’s story has helped shine a light on the barriers many wheelchair users face when essential mobility equipment breaks down, underscoring the need for a fairer repair system that prioritizes independence, dignity, and timely access to repairs.
A 2022 survey by U.S. PIRG found that 62% of wheelchair users waited four or more weeks for repairs, and 40% waited seven or more weeks. Additionally, 93% of respondents needed at least one repair in the past year, with 77% requiring two or more repairs. These lengthy delays create significant challenges, sometimes leading to serious medical complications for wheelchair users who rely on their equipment for daily living.
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