NYC Transit: We help those with limited English

New York City's transit agency says it's addressing the issues cited in a lawsuit filed on behalf of disabled plaintiffs with limited English skills.

MTA New York City Transit said in a statement Thursday that it's providing free translation services for anyone who uses or applies for paratransit service.

It says translation services were routinely provided for Spanish-speaking applicants. A new contract approved last month expands it to other languages commonly spoken in New York.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks class action status to end what it calls discriminatory practices in the Access-A-Ride program. Access-A-Ride provides vans for tens of thousands of people as a substitute for subways and buses.

Five named plaintiffs maintain they've encountered barriers, delays, denials and discrimination when they applied to the program.