IF YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY

YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED AND MUST QUIT YOUR JOB

City official: "It denies access to people with disabilities, but it technically meets code. So there's nothing we can do."

Me: Fix your broken code.

Laws prevented women from voting & deemed Black people 3/5ths of a human being.

Just because it's the law doesn't mean it's right.

Perpetuating discrimination is NEVER following the rule of law.

ALL DRIVERLESS VEHICLE TRANSIT PROTOTYPES MUST ACCOMMODATE WHEELCHAIR USERS

AN OPEN LETTER TO USDOT SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG.

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

Why doesn't USDOT (and all other relevant agencies) require all robotaxis/driverless rideshare vehicles to accommodate power wheelchair users? Every prototype I've seen is a sedan.

This is as bad as granting highway dollars to an agency the will not allow people of color to drive on its roads.

It is discriminatory to allow autonomous fleet vehicle firms to roll out "innovative" transportation that excludes people with disabilities.

Imagine an airline that says it will ban women for a decade -- until it figures out how to accommodate them on their new planes.

I have great respect for what USDOT, under your leadership, is being done for air travel for people with disabilities.

I think you are an excellent people-first, inclusionary leader.

But I think the ball is being dropped on ableist transit alternatives.

https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2023/12/02/robotaxis-wont-get-us-there-so-lets-stop-being-used-to-sell-a-future-that-doesnt-serve-us/

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Perhaps I was a victim of a crime ring that feeds drug habits and worse.

Or maybe my assailants were so pushed aside by society that thievery was a means to feeding family or paying for basic shelter.

I don’t condone crime, but I also do not condone the demonizing of cities and the diverse people that power them.

Cities, warts and all, are historically where our forebears settled, scratched out a living and created a life better for each succeeding generation.

They are the future of a strong and diverse nation.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

I have worked in the disability space – as a caregiver, educator and advocate – for four decades.

I have witnessed first hand the economic struggles of people with disabilities, who, according to U.S. Labor statistics, are the most under- and unemployed of all minority groups.

I know that the wealth of cities includes space for diverse people, as well as robust transit to job opportunities for people with a wide range of mobility needs.

More than two years since being victimized in Paris, I remain convinced that ableism and exclusion do more damage to our cities and society than the most hardened criminals.

I firmly believe that in these polarized times, we must embrace environmental justice while addressing systemic exclusion that causes crime.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Unable to sleep because of severe concussion symptoms, I wondered how the violent crime would impact me.

Would I, a longtime urban dweller and planner, sour on cities?

Would my progressive politics shift?

No, quite the opposite.

My belief in diversity and how big cities support diverse people is unshaken.

Not that long ago, people who used wheelchairs were barred from mainstream institutions and hauled off to “special” schools.

They had to fight to attend college.

To this day, 34 years after the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act, less than one percent of housing in the U.S. is accessible to wheelchair users.

Otherwise intelligent people pejoratively label the liberating use of a mobility device as being “confined to a wheelchair.”

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

It was ironic that I was in town to give a speech at the 58^th International Making Cities Livable Conference.

My presentation was on sidewalks and transit and connectivity that makes life livable for all people — and especially those who use wheelchairs for mobility.

I have expertise and personal passion for Universal Design because for three decades; I was the direct caregiver to a person who used a power wheelchair for mobility.

I was the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity guy.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

I was reeling from a robbery and beating.

Did my head, thumping with what would turn out to be a concussion, turn to thoughts of vengeance? 

Sure, for a brief period.

But after completing a police report – and being told gangs that do this are never caught – I started thinking about the big picture.

I love cities, feel they are safe and am even willing to suffer injury and financial loss to keep immersing myself in them.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

Lately, all eyes have been focused on the Paris Olympics and anticipating the Paralympics.

But just a few years ago, I experienced the dark side of the City of Light.

I was hustling to change from the RER train for Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Metro M6 to reach my hotel on Place Italie.

Groggy-eyed, suitcase-wheeling and just-arrived staring at the Metro map, I was an easy mark.

Waiting for an English-speaking detective, I started canceling credit cards and closing a now exposed bank account.

I GOT ROBBED ON THE TRAIN — BUT I STILL HAVE FAITH IN CITIES

I DON’T CONDONE CRIME, BUT I ALSO DO NOT CONDONE THE DEMONIZING OF CITIES AND THE DIVERSE PEOPLE THAT POWER THEM

A traveler’s worst nightmare?

Three men — all less than half my age — crashed into me just as the subway doors were closing.

Shoved, I banged my head on one the poles for standing riders to grasp and fell forward in pain.

Even though I was blindsided and injured, my first thought was to pat my right hip.

Sure enough, the wallet I forgot to hide in my book bag was gone – and with it, more than $500 in cash, all my credit cards and my identification. 

“MARK - A CALL TO ACTION” RELEASES GLOBALLY ON OCTOBER 8

I AM HONORED TO APPEAR IN THE DOCUMENTARY AS A GLOBAL DISABILITY ADVOCATE AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN EXPERT CONSULTANT

The documentary, by an award-wining team, premiered in Japan in February.

I was gratified to attend in Tokyo.

On October 8, it releases via Digital, Streaming, Satellite – even DVD.

“Mark – A Call to Action” is the story of Dr. Mark Bookman, a severely disabled Pennsylvania-born American who later resided in Tokyo full-time, becoming one of Japan’s leading experts on accessibility, and a policy consultant to governments and major corporations around the world.

His tireless efforts helped raise awareness and positively impacted the lives of not only disabled persons, but also children, seniors and vulnerable populations in the United States, Japan and many other nations.

For more information, visit:

https://www.soundviewmediapartners.com/mark-a-call-to-action/

For a review, see this image:

AGING IN PLACE

UNIVERSAL ACCESS DESIGNS

I was gratified to join David Haight and Laura Streed this week to open the 2024 Florida Planning Conference in Tampa.

More than 1,000 professional planners attended the American Planning Association’s statewide event.

Our Aging in Place: Universal Access Designs presentation drew a standing room only crowd and much applause.

Florida’s population is aging.

By 2050, Florida is forecasted to grow by 5.4 million persons.

Federal studies show that one in four people will experience disability in their lifetime.

When neighborhoods are welcoming and comfortable for a wheelchair user, they function for people of all ages.

Ninety percent of retirees want to age in place, however less than one percent of all housing contains any universal design elements.

Over a million disabled people over 65 live in inaccessible homes.

We presented examples of neighborhood and housing designs that ensure people of all ages and abilities can thrive in their community.

THE CITY OF MIAMI ALWAYS ALLOWS ABLEIST DESIGN

WHEELCHAIR USERS TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS

This is what happens when cities devalue people with disabilities by allowing brand new buildings with steps at main entrance and ramps segregated.

Trash cans block wheelchair access.

This is on the Coconut Grove waterfront.

Design must support dignity and inclusion.

GLOBAL DISABILITY INCLUSION NAMED TO FAST COMPANY'S ANNUAL LIST

OF THE WORLD'S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES FOR 2023

This is fabulous news — not just for Global Disability Inclusion and its clients.

But this also means the prestigious and cutting edge Fast Company recognizes that disability inclusion is a key aspect of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — a proven pathway to a better workforce and healthier profits.

Proud to collaborate with Meg O'Connell, Founder & CEO of GDI.

WHY WE LOVE EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES AND YOU SHOULD TOO

 IN HONOR OF VALENTINE’S DAY, 

THOUGHTS ON THE OUTSTANDING ASSETS OF PWDs

I love this St. Valentine-themed blog by Global Disability Inclusion.

It features engaging, entertaining and compelling writing about the outstanding assets that people with disabilities bring to the workplace.

I love collaborating on messaging with Meg O’Connell.

Her entire blog, sharing human resources expertise and more, is at:

https://www.globaldisabilityinclusion.com/post/why-we-love-employees-with-disabilities-and-you-should-too

THANKFUL THAT MY STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

 CAN HIGHLIGHT SOCIAL ISSUES

There is some kind of cruel ironic message about the gap between haves and have nots here. 

Gianni Versace luxury brand box serves as part of roof of homeless tent city in the once affordable now hip Bairro Arroios of Lisbon.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving.

Let's dedicate ourselves to solving the housing crisis.

UNITED SPINAL MEMBER FLIES TO THE MOON

AS A VIRTUAL ARTEMIS I CREW MEMBER

“You can use Alexa to set up your home environment,” Rhonel Cinous says. 

“You can check the front door via Ring, play music, turn on a light, control a fan, and more. It can be boundless in the ways it gives you independence.”

Alongside Alexa’s journey during Artemis I, Amazon will introduce new ways to make space exploration more accessible to its customers. 

Just ask your Alexa-enabled device, “What is Artemis I?”

“This is a bigger story than my own,” says Cinous about being an Artemis I crew member.

“If one person looks at this and their takeaway is to go above and beyond any limitations they have — or that people put on them — it will be a successful mission.”

 

 

UNITED SPINAL MEMBER FLIES TO THE MOON

AS A VIRTUAL ARTEMIS I CREW MEMBER

“I joined the Miami Chapter, got a peer mentor, Ryan Gebauer, looked up New Mobility magazine and got active via Zoom when meetings went more virtual during the pandemic,” he says.

Before his injury, Rhonel Cinous used Amazon’s Kindle to read vast volumes of content across his phone, tablet, and laptop. 

Post-injury, he explored the possibilities of voice-activated commands via his smartphone. Currently, he uses an Echo Dot to interact with Alexa.

UNITED SPINAL MEMBER FLIES TO THE MOON

AS A VIRTUAL ARTEMIS I CREW MEMBER

“This virtual crew opportunity will show the world that individuals like myself with a mobility disability still have opportunities,” says Rhonel Cinous.

“It might be digital or virtual, but you can be a core part of it.

You can even be part of a groundbreaking team guiding a first-of-its-kind experiment to put Alexa on a spacecraft.”

Cinous is a leading voice for United Spinal’s Tech Access Initiative, advocating for inclusive technology to empower wheelchair users to find greater independence and quality of life.

He discovered the organization by joining one of its spinal cord injury support groups.

UNITED SPINAL MEMBER FLIES TO THE MOON

AS A VIRTUAL ARTEMIS I CREW MEMBER

“I was awestruck when I found out I was part of the crew, and I’m humbled to represent the disability community,” says Rhonel Cinous, a Haitian-American based in Miami. 

He wonders how assistive technology may help his career as a podcaster — his current show is Ramp. It. Up! 

As an Artemis virtual crew member, “I can test digitally accessible, voice-activated communications, and I’m excited to help drive technology to new levels.”

Amazon believes voice technology may make astronauts’ jobs more straightforward and efficient onboard the Orion spacecraft. 

Virtual crew members like Cinous will simulate potential Alexa interactions with future astronauts by making various requests.

UNITED SPINAL MEMBER FLIES TO THE MOON

AS A VIRTUAL ARTEMIS I CREW MEMBER

Throughout the mission, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, and Cisco will invite guests to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to become virtual crew members. 

Amazon invited United Spinal, which chose Rhonel Cinous, a C5-6 quadriplegic leader with the Tech Access Group, to be its representative.

The mission will also test Callisto, a technology demonstration payload developed by Lockheed Martin, Amazon, and Cisco.