CITY OF MIAMI COMMITS TO KEEPING SIDEWALKS PROTECTED AND OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

NO MORE CLOSED SIDEWALKS FORCING WHEELCHAIR USERS AND ALL PEDESTRIANS TO UNNECESSARILY CROSS DANGEROUS TRAFFIC

“…the City Commission approved our legislation requiring overhead pedestrian protection instead of simply closing sidewalks during construction.

Thank you to my colleagues who co-sponsored this important safety and quality-of-life initiative.” -- Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo.

Kudos to Commissioner Damián Pardo and fellow Miami City Commissioners for approving this.

It is a crucial element of mobility for people with disabilities. 

I was proud to discuss this with Commissioner Pardo during a Miami DDA downtown block walk, to offer Universal Design insights to Alexandra Alexieva and to speak about the economic benefits of a walkable city in front of Mayor Eileen Higgins and the Commission at the first reading of this legislation.

I stand with this leadership to convince Miami-Dade County to adopt similar legislation to prevent the dangers of closed sidewalks on County streets.

 

OPPOSITION TO WHEELCHAIR RAMPS IS ABLEISM

ABLEISM IS BIGOTRY (THAT’S BAD, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING)

Screaming proof that architects, planners, engineers and builders with disdain for wheelchair ramps are bigoted ableists.

Two fit NYC cops chose the ramp, as did 98 of 100 people at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Universal Design works.

ALL MOBILITY DEVICES ARE COOL

WHEELCHAIRS = FREEDOM, NOT LIMITATION

Industrial Designer Kazuo Kawasaki's goal was to create a wheelchair that felt as good, and looked as cool, as the newest pair of sneakers.

The Carna, on display at MOMA, is colorful & has high–tech style.

Since it had to be light and easy to carry, an improvement over most collapsible wheelchairs, Kawasaki used a titanium frame, with aluminum honeycomb–core wheels and rubber seat and tires.

HISTORIC DOES NOT MEAN PERPETUALLY INACCESSIBLE

SORRY ABLEISTS: THERE IS NO GRANDFATHERING A LACK OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AT OLD TRANSIT STATIONS

Exploring Universal Design and Wheelchair Access via the myriad ramps and elevators of Grand Central Station.

Overall grade of B for inclusiveness of train hall, dining concourse, Grand Central Market and restrooms.

ADDING WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO YOUR BUSINESS

PROVIDES A HUGE RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Missed opportunity for barrier-free access into Decor Art Gallery on 3rd Ave. & 37 St.

If the southern wall were removed, there would be plenty of space for a gentle ramp to go down the 2 small steps to the commercial space.

NEW YORK IS ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST WALKABLE AND TRANSIT RICH CITIES

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THOUSANDS OF BLOCKADES TO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

Nightmare scenario for people with disabilities in the Lower East Side.

Poorly maintained landscaping = flood zone around tree.

Coupled with unregulated overturned trash bin plus mountain of recycling = no wheelchair access.

Ludlow at Houston.

 

OPPOSITION TO WHEELCHAIR RAMPS IS ABLEISM – PART 2

THE ABILITY TO DESIGN IS A GIFT

DESIGNING IN WAYS THAT EXCLUDE IS THROWING AWAY THAT GIFT

The ableist architect: “Retrofitted wheelchair ramp=terrible, ruins the facade.” “Fire escape=sculptural urban beauty.”

Both are add-ons.

If disability access offends the designer—he is prejudiced against people with disabilities.