GLOBAL DISABILITY INCLUSION HONORED ME ON ITS LIST OF THE TOP 3 DOZEN

DISABILITY ADVOCATES, ACTIVISTS, LEADERS & CHANGE MAKERS

It is the honor of a lifetime to make Global Disability Inclusion's "list of 36 people to know who are advancing accessibility and disability inclusion."

I have used my urban design and storytelling skills to create a better built environment for all.

"Steve Wright - a universal design expert helping cities and organizations understand that accessible design benefits everyone. A world traveler who is seeking out some of the world's most accessible and innovative designs."

--Bio by Meg O'Connell, CEO, Global Disability Inclusion.

Being recognized as one of the top 3 dozen disability-forward leaders/influencers is special, coming from a great inclusion expert such as Meg O'Connell, PHR.

Award winning Global Disability Inclusion is the premier firm for organizations creating more inclusive, accessible and engaged workplaces for people with disabilities.

I am the only town planner/storyteller on the Global Disability Inclusion list.

Humbled to be in the company of: John D. Kemp, James LeBrecht, Maria Town, Jack McElaney, Tiffany A. Yu, the Hon. Mike Lake, M.P.,  and the late Judy Heumann.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7487479566723198976/

SUPER DISABILITY FRIENDLY, UNIVERSAL DESIGN VANGAURD

CURB EXTENSIONS MAKE THIS CROSSWALK SAFER FOR ALL

 

Kudos to these pedestrian friendly, super wheelchair accessible curb extensions.

They calm traffic while providing an excellent route for people with disabilities across Meridian Ave. at Lincoln Lane and just north of Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.

Every Miami Beach official embrace this and bring it to hundreds of other intersections.

People with disabilities depend on safe crosswalks.

DISABILITY IS NOT AN OUTLIER

INCLUSION IS A MUST!

When I post about the need for barrier free sidewalks in Miami’s Shenandoah, many people act like I am serving one person.

Well, this is one of 3 wheelchair ramped houses on the short side street of SW 18 Ave between SW 14-16 Aves.

That much need for access is proof positive that:

Disability is NOT an outlier.

Inclusion is a MUST!

WHEN THE WHEELCHAIR ACCESS IS STEERED AWAY FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE

BAD THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE BLOCK RAMPS WITH EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN

Wheelchair access ramps are NOT:

Places to park scooters or bikes.

Storage for extra chairs & tables.

This is what happens when ignorant cities let lazy architects design segregated entrances for people with disabilities.

It also is the fault of cities that are not proactive in regulating micromobility.

I WILL NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE CITIES

PRIORITIZE HUMAN BEINGS OVER VEHICLES

Amazing that a car can break down on a sleepy side street — and it’s towed away in a half hour to keep auto traffic flowing.

But shoddy utility vault work that destroys pedestrian safety in a dense, walkable area festers for months

We obsess on clearing the way for speeding traffic.

We block wheelchair/all safe pedestrian mobility for months.

This is in the heart of Miami Beach.

TIMELESS UNIVERSAL DESIGN

VS BEGRUDGING ADA COMPLIANCE

Textbook example of the difference between lousy ADA compliance and welcoming Universal Design.

Main entrance to Perez Art Museum Miami all steps.

Ramp narrow and hidden to the side.

It says you should be segregated and ashamed if you can’t do stairs.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is the floor, not the ceiling.

Competent architects, planners and designers seek creative ways to mainstream all access and mobility.

Others build monuments to their lazy shortsightedness. 

This structure was designed two decades after the ADA.

Checklist, isolating compliance is NOT a winning approach for a major civic building on the waterfront of a major international city.  

DOUGLAS ROAD IS A MAJOR CORRIDOR

NARROW SIDEWALKS AND PINCH POINTS DESTROY WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR MANY SW 37 AVENUE SEGMENTS BETWEEN CORAL GABLES-MIAMI

After walking 7 blocks on Douglas Road today:

I can confidently say if I am given the choice between 2 days in jail or walking 12 blocks of Douglas & crossing its dangerous traffic 4 times—I’m picking time in the lock up.

Narrow sidewalks.

No shade.

Power polls and other barriers that destroy wheelchair access.

More than 1/3 of people in Miami-Dade County cannot or do not drive.

They deserve a multi mobile experience on this major artery also known as 37th Ave.

Let’s fix this.

The people of Miami and Coral Gables deserve better.