PRAISE FOR CONEY ISLAND BOARDWALK WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

HOPE THE $1 BILLION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WILL ADD SHADED SPACES AND ENHANCE INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Coney Island Boardwalk is fully wheelchair accessible.

It features a wide wooden/concrete boardwalk with a gentle slope (under 3% grade) and plenty of passing space.

Wheelchair-accessible public restrooms on the Coney Island Riegelmann Boardwalk are located at Stillwell Avenue, West 16th Street and West 22nd Street.

Temporary mobility mats are laid out at major access points including Stillwell Avenue, West 5th, West 8th, West 22nd, West 29th, West 32nd, West 33rd Streets, and Ocean Parkway.

PROUD TO HAVE CREATED MORE THAN 5,000 BLOG POSTS

MOST ADDRESS HOW TO CREATE A BETTER BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHILE UPLIFTING URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL

In the past decade and a half, I have created 5,000+ original posts for my blog – “Urban Travel, Sustainability & Accessibility.”

 

I have shared travel images from nearly 50 major cities, where I have worked to increase awareness of Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility.

 

While I have certainly posted on typical resiliency, sustainability and green building techniques – I define sustainability primarily as wheelchair access.

 

Because making something accessible from the start creates a home, office, school, park, store, etc. – the most flexible, adaptable and cost effective facility possible.

 

My posts have totaled well more than 1.3 million words.

 

That’s equal to the word count in 20 non-fiction books.

 

All of my content is posted free, virtually always with my own images – drawn from an  archive of 40,000+ fine art photographs, some of which have been featured at major galleries.

 

My blog has drawn more than 4 million unique visitors, starting with a few dozen per day and now building to well more than 30,000 each day.

 

That number rivals the average daily paid digital circulation of most major newspapers, including my hometown Miami Herald.

 

 

TRUE, DURABLE ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT A CHECK MARK

IT IS BORN OF INPUT FROM END USERS

I hate the use of this limited access lift at Temple of Dendur.

Does the Metropolitan Museum of Art not work with wheelchair users when designing?

This cavernous room could accommodate a simple ramp.

Lifts break down all the time.

Lifts are an example of disability compliance by checkmark.

A device meets minimum standards & that’s all the facility cares about.

Ableists could care less than lifts require a key that always goes missing and assistance that robs wheelchair users of dignity & independence.

ABLEIST DESIGNERS’ BIG LIE IS ACCESSIBILITY IS EXPENSIVE

UNIVERSAL DESIGN PROVES OUT TO BE COST EFFECTIVE EVERY TIME

Universal Design and wheelchair access are NOT expensive.

An apartment entrance that used to have a couple small steps down.

Now it has a gently graded accessible concrete path.

With a tiny investment, everyone can visit the building.

PERIL FOR PEDESTRIANS

HUGE BUS SHELTER ADD BLOCKS VISION 

RIGHT AT A SIDEWALK PINCH POINT

This may be the world’s worst giant opaque advertising sign placement in history.

It creates a blind spot right at a narrow pinch point of sidewalk.

A cyclist who couldn’t see me crashed into me here on Alton Road just south of Lincoln Road.

This advertising revenue generator, masquerading as a bus shelter, provides no vision — for northbound cyclist — of what is coming southbound.

Miami Beach must fix this even if it’s a state road.

A wheelchair user could get killed.

GREAT CITIES NEVER CLOSE SIDEWALKS DURING CONSTRUCTION

THEY VALUE THE LIVES, SAFETY AND DIGNITY OF PEDESTRIANS BY REQUIRING SCAFFOLDING TO MAINTAIN SIDEWALKS DURING YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

High praise for the wheelchair accessible, well-lit scaffolding around the historic Alfred I. DuPont Building in downtown Miami.

Sidewalks must always be open and safe during renovation and construction work.

Every city I have lived in, unless it was a 24-72 hour concrete pour, window installation or facade cleaning -- it was required to keep the pedestrian pathway clear.

Scaffolding maintained pedestrian mobility.

The example on Flagler at the DuPont and across the street at the Olympia are bright, light and almost artistic.

It floors me when the city allows a developer to close an entire sidewalk for two to three years of construction.

It violates the ADA, PROWAG, great governance, best practices, good business and basic human decency and inclusion.

VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR CITY FACILITATES LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING SIDEWALK SAFETY DURING DEVELOPMENT

MIAMI CLOSE SIDEWALKS FOR YEARS WHILE PEDESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, RISK THEIR LIVES CROSSING THE STREET TO CONTINUE THERE JOURNEY

Is there something Miami’s water in that turns big developers & major construction firms into incompetent fools?

Because every city I have lived in + every city I have visited — does not close sidewalks for 3 years of work.

How is it that gigantic, 50-story buildings can be built everywhere else while maintaining sidewalks – but in Miami our development community is incapable of this simple task?

In Miami, we kill pedestrian safety for no reason.

There are 100s of American cities that require developers to maintain sidewalks during construction.

Simple scaffolding preserves safe mobility for pedestrians and independence for people with disabilities.

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

High praise to Avila Spain for creating ramped access to an area with benches & great views of the famous city walls. 

The Walls are ancient, but access for people with disabilities is a priority.

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

For years, the ancient city of Avila Spain has prided itself on expanding access for people with disabilities.

Because Ávila is built on a steep hill, the best way to reach the accessible portion of the Medieval walls is arriving by car or an adapted taxi. Exiting directly to the Puerta del Puente is recommended to avoid steep inclines from the upper city center. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has been a pioneer in accessible tourism.

On top of the ancient defensive walls, the accessible pathway is mostly flat with some cobblestones. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has long been at the vanguard of accessible tourism.

The Avila walls visitor reception area is connected by an accessible route and has manual wheelchairs available to borrow. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

The ancient city of Avila Spain has been a pioneer in accessible tourism.

Once at the top of some of the best preserved city walls in Europe, disabled visitors can enjoy a flat, 100-meter stretch of the battlement walk. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

For years, the ancient city of Avila Spain has prided itself on expanding access for people with disabilities.

An accessible portion of its famous city walls can be reached by ramp and elevator.

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

In addition to visiting a college campus, talking with students — especially students with similar disabilities — can give you a fuller picture of campus life.

Jonathan Lengel, who lives with congenital muscular dystrophy, (CMD) and uses a power wheelchair, is pursuing a double major in digital technologies/emerging media and music at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City, asked Fordham to connect him to another wheelchair user on campus.

He asked them if campus facilities have accessible entrances, if elevators are well-maintained, and whether the university does a good job of clearing ice and snow from the accessible paths of travel.

It was invaluable to get this information from a source with lived experience.

“They are the keys to the kingdom — find out how their experience has been,” he says.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

“Start early.

Visit the school in your sophomore or junior year of high school. Reach out to the disability office and gauge how proactive it is.

This saved me a lot of time,” said Jonathan Lengel, who lives with congenital muscular dystrophy, (CMD) and uses a power wheelchair, is pursuing a double major in digital technologies/emerging media and music at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City.

…noting that he used in-person visits to weed out some campuses with old buildings that weren’t retrofitted with ramps and elevators.

However, if there are accessibility issues at a school you like, don’t write them off until you’ve asked if they will address the issues.

When Jonathan committed to Fordham, the school began modifying his on-campus residence and had it ready for his fall move-in.

“Always remember, self-advocacy is the most powerful tool,” he says.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

Jonathan Lengel, who lives with congenital muscular dystrophy, (CMD) and uses a power wheelchair, is pursuing a double major in digital technologies/emerging media and music at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus in New York City.

In high school, Jonathan worked with Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC. to create a list of questions to ask disability offices about housing, transportation, and overall accessibility at the schools he was considering.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

If you need accommodations in college, you’ll request them through your school’s disability services office, which requires disclosing information about your disability.

“It’s important to understand that the disability services office is separate from the admissions department,” says Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC.

“Information that a student may share with the office prior to acceptance and enrollment is not shared with the admissions department.”

Commissioner Rosado to Announce First Fully ADA and Autism-Focused Sensory Park

on World Autism Awareness Day

Commissioner Rosado to Announce First Fully ADA and Autism-Focused Sensory Park on World Autism Awareness Day

(Miami, FL – March 31, 2026)  - In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, City of Miami Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado will host a press conference to unveil a groundbreaking initiative: the development of the city’s and county’s first fully ADA-compliant, autism-focused sensory park.

This landmark project represents a major step forward in Miami’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion for all residents. Designed to provide a safe, engaging, and supportive environment, the sensory park will feature thoughtfully curated spaces that accommodate individuals with autism and other sensory sensitivities.

The announcement will take place at Miami City Hall, bringing together community leaders, advocates, educators, and organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families.

Participating organizations includes Autism Speaks, The Miami Foundation, S.T.A.R.S., Spectrum Family, Easter Seals South Florida, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Miami-Dade County.

Members of the media and public are encouraged to attend.

 

WHO: Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado
WHAT: Announcement of Miami’s First Fully ADA and Autism-Focused Sensory Park
WHEN: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10:30 AM
WHERE: Miami City Hall – Commission Chambers, 3500 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL

 

CONTACT:

Jennifer Torna
Director of Communications, City of Miami, District 4
JTorna@miamigov.com

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

When choosing a college, a student with a disability should consider access to specialized care.

If you’re moving away from home, you’ll probably need to build a new team of physicians, physical therapists, and other specialists.

An isolated college campus, or one far from a neuromuscular care center, may not have appropriate providers nearby.

Most colleges have a disability services office (sometimes called an accessibility, access, or ADA office) to ensure access for students with disabilities in compliance with federal law.

Some offices go beyond compliance to serve as advocates for their students and promote inclusive campus life.

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

It’s important for college students with disabilities to think about transportation on and off campus.

Connor Stager is studying economics and genetics at the University of Georgia.

He lives with distal arthrogryposis, which impairs the senses of touch and proprioception (the sense of the body’s movement and position) and affects his walking.

“When I met with the University of Georgia, they told me about the networks and systems in place, including the paratransit system,” he says.

The campus has a paratransit system linking all the buildings, and the Athens-Clarke County public transit system has accessible buses that allow him to travel off campus.