WHY BUSES CAN’T GET WHEELCHAIR USERS TO MOST AREAS OF CITIES

STUDY IN COLUMBUS FINDS LACK OF SIDEWALKS HAMPERS MOBILITY

A landmark study published by Ohio State University researchers in the Journal of Transport Geography in the second quarter of 2023 states that only one percent of Columbus, Ohio is accessible to transit riders who use manual wheelchairs for mobility.

The number increases to only 25 percent for those who can afford power wheelchairs. 

The groundbreaking study showed the broken, missing and obstructed sidewalks, inaccessible buildings and other barriers meant the vast majority of the city is off-limits to people with mobility disabilities.

Researchers noted that Columbus is typical of most large cities and that the same isolating, segregating and unhealthy built environment exists in most. 

If one sidewalk was broken, missing, too narrow, too tilted or even blocked by a parked car – the person with a disability’s pathway is 100 percent denied.

When those using wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, canes and other assistive mobility devices perpetually hit a barrier, they must detour for blocks to reach their destination. Being tardy to class too often  can result in a terrible grade for a  great student. 

Constantly being late for work has negative results ranging from being denied promotions to getting fired.

This report should be front page news in every newspaper in America.

https://news.osu.edu/why-buses-cant-get-wheelchair-users-to-most-areas-of-cities/

RIP JOHN F. WOLFE

DISPATCH PUBLISHER OF FOUR DECADES WAS VERY GOOD TO MY FAMILY DURING MY DECADE AND A HALF WORKING FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH NEWSPAPER

Mr. Wolfe -- I never quite grew old and secure enough to ever call him by his first name -- was an unassuming titan of Columbus, OH.

Many times, a more politically-connected, more brown-nosing reporter tried to edge me out of lead coverage of a story that happened on my beat.

Mr. Wolfe always had my back, trusting me -- the blue collar, quiet, lunch pail writer -- to handle the big scoop.

When we traveled the country looking at hockey arenas -- when Columbus had been awarded an NHL franchise -- Mr. Wolfe showed a keen sense of humor on the road and out of the confines of the suit and tie he wore in the newsroom.

When he met my wife at one of many free Dispatch family events, he learned of her disability and the pain she went through with rheumatoid arthritis.

Mr. Wolfe let me know from that day forward that I could take FMLA leave, comp time and any other amount of sick leave to be a good caregiver to my beloved spouse.

Here's a story, that quotes lots of family members and great leaders, in eulogy of Mr. Wolfe:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/06/30/john-wolfe-service.html