ARRESTED MOBILITY:

OVERCOMING THE THREAT TO BLACK MOVEMENT

I cannot think of a better way to continue the positive energy of Juneteenth than reading my friend/colleague Charles Brown's book -- Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement. 

It is pithy, well researched, on point, moving, profound, hopeful and filled with practical methods for making mobility more inclusive and cities more productive and livable for all of us.

The Island Press book is less than 125 pages.

Every word skillfully documents structural racism.

The book provides a path to better planning for all.

I am honored to have appeared in Charles' podcast and collaborated with him.

I'm proudly quoted as a disability advocate expert in his book.

ABLEISM IS A TOXIC FORM OF DISCRIMINATION

DON’T BE AN ABLEISM ENABLER OR APOLOGIST

Why is everyone an ableism enabler?

Every time I point out the evil of a brand new shop accessed only by steps, I get an avalanche of apologist replies “maybe the architect doesn’t know” about the ADA.

If an architect is not aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (the law of the land for a third of a century) then they are better suited for shoveling pig poop than designing places and spaces for human beings.

Why are everyday people so aggressive about making lack of access the fault of people with disabilities? 

Forgiving a business for not knowing it must serve all is as ludicrous as forgiving a chef for not knowing to wash his hands after wiping his heinie.

SHOCKED THIS ARTEFACTO FLAGSHIP STORE’S MAIN ENTRANCE HAS ONLY STEPS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE

ITS FRONT DOOR LITERALLY IS A BLOCKADE 

TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

If you take public transit, paratransit or rideshare, this is where you enter.

You are shut out if you use a wheelchair for mobility.

The ableist store is in Coral Gables or Miami.

How could either city allow this 3 decades after the ADA?

The accessible entrance is segregated in the back.

Why are people with disabilities isolated and segregated?

HISTORIC IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR INACCESSIBLE

IT IS ABLEIST TO DENY FRONT DOOR ACCESS 

TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 

I love the 19th century cast iron buildings of New York’s SoHo.

I also reject the absurd argument that replacing their stairs with access ramps would diminish their history.

Their interiors have been 100% gutted for retail and apartments. Ramps do not alter facades.

It is ableist to claim denying front door access to people with disabilities preserves history.

Many Soho buildings have no access 34 years after the ADA.

Others have demeaning back alley access or faulty lifts.

Access for all is a basic civil right.

Those that cling to inaccessible buildings as “a part of history” are as out of bounds as those that would cling to race based deed restrictions or denying women the right to vote.

Let’s celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the ADA with inclusive design.

WE NEED SAFE STREETS FOR EVERYONE – NOW!

WHEELCHAIR USERS CANNOT STEP OVER SNOW DRIFTS ON SIDEWALKS

Sidewalk maintenance and clearing MUST be a public utility.

The current, antiquated approach is making each property owner responsible.

This makes essential access – for wheelchair users and all pedestrians -- something subject to the whims of property owners, some who are absentee landlords living far away.

Cities have talked a good game about pedestrian mobility for ages.

Until they maintain sidewalks, it is lip service only.

Municipalities will whine and moan that they can’t afford it.

But when they total up lost work hours, denied job opportunities plus deaths/serious injuries from pushing pedestrians into the street – they will find they cannot afford NOT to fund this.

Thanks to Strong Towns for the image in this post and for raising the issue and addressing this issue for those who "roll" for their mobility.

PROUD TO BE A LONGTIME CONTRIBUTOR

 TO AWARD-WINNING PLANNING MAGAZINE

I’m honored to be a longtime contributor to Planning Magazine.

I am their go-to reporter on issues of Universal Design and design for people with disabilities.

The magazine won SIIA awards.

A gold for General Excellence & Silver for the Magazine Website.

Judges praised strong journalism.

HONORED TO ADVOCATE FOR UNIVERSAL DESIGN

THANKS TO KENT STATE UNIVERSITY FOR FEATURING MY WORK

I am honored to share my story of using my communication skills to advocate for Universal Design in Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Urban Design, Public Policy, Mobility, Transit, Landscape Architecture and more.

I appreciate it that Jargon, the digital publication of Kent’s School of Media and Journalism, published my essay on activism and pro-bono work on diversity, equity and inclusion – through the lens of wheelchair access.

The full essay – with an inset piece on proper language for writing about people with disabilities, is here:

https://www.kent.edu/mdj/news/kent-where-lifetime-passionate-storytelling-and-advocacy-people-disabilities-was-born-and