COMMUNITY BUILDING

THROUGH UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY

For more than three decades – as a journalist, planner, marketer, educator and activist – I have worked to make the built environment a better place.

The key has been Universal Design – making sidewalks, transit, healthcare, education, arts, job centers and housing accessible to all people of all ages, abilities and incomes.

It was a pleasure to share some of my thoughts on Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility in civic space, while on the inaugural DDA block walk this week.

I was privileged to be on the first block walk led by Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, chair of the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

An expert planner, Rosado also serves my District 4 City of Miami Commissioner.

The walking tour included diverse chats about walkability/urban vibrancy. Honored to chime in about Universal Design and ADA issues.

Thanks to Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo – whose district covers much of the Central Business District, Brickell and Performing arts areas in the city core -- for graciously listening to my ideas for enhanced access for people with disabilities.

I emphasized that the sidewalk should be maintained during all construction.

Miami currently allows developers to close sidewalks for years of construction.

For a single round trip, a pedestrian or wheelchair user must cross dangerous traffic 4 times.

DDA and other leaders understood this must stop.

Most cities require scaffolding to keep sidewalks safe and open during development taking place along them.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC., notes that several factors contribute to campus accessibility beyond accessible buildings.

For example, consider geography and climate.

A college that feels comfortable during a typical spring or summer visit could be harder to navigate in winter, with snow or ice.

A hilly or spread-out campus will take more energy to get around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC., notes that under the ADA, colleges are not required to provide personal care services as an accommodation, so it’s up to students to hire their own personal care attendants (PCAs) for daily living tasks.

Typically, schools will allow a PCA to share a student’s room at no additional charge.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

“Any college that receives federal funding has to be ADA compliant, but what that looks and feels like can be different from place to place,” says Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC.

She advises students with disabilities to search for the right academic fit while also balancing the college’s built environment and dedication to being inclusive.

Historic buildings are not exempt from the ADA, but they may have alternative accessibility requirements.

The ADA requires colleges to reduce barriers for students with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure they can access the classroom.

In some cases, this may mean moving the class to a more accessible building.

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

“Investigate the attitude of the accessibility office — if they don’t get it, they are not going to fight for you, and it will be harder to advocate for yourself,” says Abby Dreyer, a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Along with the basics of finding a good college match — location, affordability, size, academic and cultural fit — students with disabilities must do some extra digging.

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

Abby Dreyer, a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University, had a very different experience at ECSU.

“When I toured ECSU, the Office of AccessAbility Services was very understanding.

The person who runs the office actually has multiple disabilities.

The college even has a disability cultural center,” she says.

Now, Abby is studying business administration at ECSU.

Her advice to college-bound students with disabilities is to make on-site visits and ask lots of questions.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE WITH A DISABILITY

MDA QUEST MEDIA

When Abby Dreyer, a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU), was choosing a college, she scheduled tours at ECSU and another college on the same day.

Abby lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and uses a power wheelchair, so she contacted the schools ahead of time to tell them about her accessibility needs.

“I told the other college that I need accommodations and an accessible route,” she says.

“I got there, and the elevator was broken in the building where you check in.

The tour started 20 minutes late.

The accessibility office was not helpful and didn’t understand my requests.”