Although Chicago is already a very accessible destination, it’s getting ready to ramp up that access a notch with the coming influx of even more accessible taxis to the Windy City.

The city will add 50 MV-1 wheelchair-accessible taxis to its fleet over the next several weeks, which will put the number of accessible Chicago taxis from 160 to 210. And in case you’re not familiar with the MV-1, it’s that same vehicle that’s getting the big thumbs-up from disability advocates in New York City.

MV-1 taxis have plenty of room for the whole gang.

These vehicles aren’t retrofitted — they are purpose-built at the factory to be accessible. And that means fewer mechanical problems. It also comes with a ramp that has two options — manual or automatic — which also means fewer service failures. And last but not least, they are huge, with plenty of room for multiple passengers and a mountain of luggage.

The addition of these vehicles puts the city well on the way to its goal of doubling the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis by the end of 2018. To meet that goal taxi companies who have a least 10 medallions are now required to have at least 10 percent of their fleet composed of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Previously, the requirement was 5 percent of the fleet for companies with 20 medallions.

And that means we’re going to see even more accessible taxis in Chicago in the coming years.

But wait, there’s more news on the access front in Chicago. The folks at Open Doors Organization are working hard to update their online Easy Access Chicago guide. They are busy inspecting properties and compiling information this summer, so look for a new website with updated access information sometime this fall.

Editor of Emerging Horizons and author of many accessible travel books, Candy Harrington has been writing about barrier-free travel since 1996. Follow her blog at www.barrierfreetravels.com.