WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 9)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Curious, I went online. I found tons of people with disability clip art.

(Getty Images and Verizon Media even teamed up to create The Disability Collection.) 

Diverse image of people with disabilities could readily be dropped onto the wide sidewalk, safe street crossing, bus stop, walking trail and every other pedestrian-friendly drawing in master plans.

I go back to reviewing hundreds of fresh, post-pandemic streetscapes (often called complete streets or inclusive design.) 

I note, by no coincidence or accident, people of every diversity—except disability—in these slick images.

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 8)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

In these enlightened times, we (thankfully, correctly, appropriately) see a diverse tapestry of people in media. 

Talk five minutes to a planner and he or she will tell you they are the most diverse and enlightened of the many practitioners that shape the built environment. 

As such, I wouldn’t expect to see a sample street section or civic space—with dozens of people enjoying the new human-focused design—and all of them are 30-year-old white males.

And I never do. 

Planners know (whether it is based on truly embracing all, or simply understanding they better market to all) to embrace ethnic diversity in those little mock-up, computer clip art human beings moving about their imagined new towns.

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 7)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

It’s a shame. Most pedestrian-focused design, supported with premium public transit and multimodal mobility—could create a near utopia for people with disabilities. 

But though they are a prime consumer, people with mobility disabilities clearly do not merit even one moment in the vision of these ableist, arrogant designers.

This is the same mindset that for decades, meant greeting cards, TV ads and catalogues were virtually devoid of anyone who remotely looked Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ, etc. 

The big companies were ready and willing to make a buck off minorities. But show them as end users of carefully managed brands? 

Heaven forbid! 

The world isn’t ready for it

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 6)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

It is painfully evident that virtually all of these gifted planners and designers have decided wheelchair users

—and those who move about using crutches, walkers and other assistive mobility devices—do not merit one percent of their images or even one line in their 1,000-word design essay. 

Apparently, all the people with disabilities have died or been sent off to Mars in their depictions of a brave, new, pedestrian-as-king world. 

Or maybe they are still being forced to stay home, as if the ADA never existed.

THE CITY OF MIAMI SHOULD BE ADDING HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF PARK LAND AND GREEN SPACE

IT SHOULD NOT BE PAVING OVER MELREESE SO BILLIONAIRES CAN PROFIT

A simple tropical depression flooded SW 13 Street by historic William Jennings Bryan Park.

The photos show high water five hours after the rain stopped.

The worst flooding is opposite where a community center paved over grass.

A decade ago, the city wanted to pave over the entire neighborhood park for a for-profit tennis center.

The Melreese plan is most idiotic I've seen.

And I've seen a lot.

It proposes to pave over 100+ acres of green space.

Which will create a traffic jam that will hurt the region's #1 economic engine – Miami International Airport.

The Melreese boondoggle sacrifices open space for:

1)     1) A soccer stadium in a time when everyone is afraid to sit elbow to elbow for pro sports.

2)      2) A megamall, when mall/conventional retail was already dying before the pandemic  and will shrink (dozens of major chains bankrupt and closing) more now.

3)      3) A huge hotel (when travel for business/pleasure could be negatively impacted for a decade.)

4)     4) Office development (promised to bring high paying/high tech, as all BS schemes do) likely to sit empty as thousands of office-using firms reduce class A space.

At best, this sweetheart deal for the riches of the rich will simply rob jobs from mom and pop existing businesses.

At worst, it will pave over the largest inland grassy land mass in the entire city, when flood control for sea level rise is needed.

The Melreese farce deal can be canceled now.

The developer misleads and says a (super low turnout) vote made stadium and development a reality.

The rigged (free soccer swag giveways and other dirty tricks traded for votes) election simply opened negotiations.

If this nightmare becomes a reality, it will set a toxic precedent -- that park space can by prostituted to enrich billionaires.

 

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 5)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Those who earn their bread have reacted to this and are positioning themselves to be the shepherds of the new walkable utopia. 

Good for them. You could fill (social distancing observed, of course) a giant stadium with planners patting themselves on the back for creating “inclusive places for all.”

I read their lengthy, gushing posts about their human-scaled master plans.

I gaze at dozens of vivid images of people-centric placemaking.

Then my enthusiasm melts to anger.

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 4)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Installing outdoor lifts doesn’t make a place genuinely inclusive.

Outdoor lifts are quickly obsolete, often don’t work, and don’t hold up well in the elements.

Both this lift and the one below are broken 90% of the time. 

COVID has created this situation as a matter of staying alive. 

The reaction to coronavirus has reduced air pollution and emphasized walking, biking and getting around via assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 3)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

Could their tweets, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, blog and professional/academic article posts address wheelchair users? 

Could they dedicate a few lines about how multimodal mobility, public transit, safe crosswalks, calmed traffic and wide/curbless sidewalks—

greatly increase access to jobs, education, recreation, aging-in-place, health care, civic space, the arts and shopping for people with disabilities?

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 2)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

I really do appreciate how much they are seeing fewer cars on the road and re-imagining wide sidewalks, safe crosswalks, calmed traffic and streets being more for the people than the automobile.

But if they love including everyone so much, you’d think the vast majority of town planners could invest all of five minutes to drag and drop a few people with disabilities into documents marketing allegedly inclusive design?

WHEN INCLUSIVE DESIGN...ISN'T (PART 1)

TOWN PLANNING MUST SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

I love urban design. As a part of the extended disability community (my wife has used a wheelchair for mobility for four decades and is a brilliant Americans with Disabilities Act compliance professional), could it please love me back?

I even love all 100 drawings per day posted by urban designers, traffic engineers, town planners and architects that show how inclusive streets and sidewalks can be. 

I really appreciate that they are angling so hard to cash in on the post-pandemic new world order—or at least design of its streets and streetscapes.

OK, that was snarky.

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 24

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

My bucket of chicken arrived quite a long time after the order was placed.

But I was thrilled to see dinner rolls, fries, chicken rice and those four pieces of bird -- when it did arrive.

Ahmad, in his Arabic-influenced English, knocked on my door to say “gzhentleman, your chicken has arrived.”

I would have gone a day and half without eating real food if not for Ahmad’s courtly service and phone perseverance.

Huddled in the little kitchen, re-warming KFC of all things, with Ahmad's help.

Well, it was the perfect cap on becoming part of the family at Downtown Cairo’s homey and lovely Golden Hotel.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

COVID-19 TEST EPIC FAIL AT MARLINS PARK IN MIAMI

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION, 3 HOURS AT SITE FOR 15 MINUTE TEST, 10 DAYS WITH NO TEST RESULTS AND ULTIMATELY LIED TO THAT WE WERE NEVER TESTED (WE HAVE PROOF THAT WE WERE THERE)

To check our health and make sure of our COVID status for those we come in contact with, we went online and scheduled appointments for the two of us.

We had that 8 a.m. first appointment of day 9-10, but took nearly 3 hours.

Follow up calls have produced an idiotic and painful answer that they have no record of our being there.

We have proof – online appointment print out, paper work plus grease pencil marking on back of our vehicle that they only do onsite.

It doesn’t matter, they failed and lie about it.

While we’re recounting the endless list of failures, here's a hint for testing site.

Don't blare loud music at tent where they draw blood/take nasal swab.

There is car engine, traffic, MIA flight path, generator noise.

You are talking through a mask, through your closed window to a person wearing a mask - no one can hear.

At free test site, train staff to accommodate people with disabilities.

Guy in charge did major discrimination, telling my wife to drive home without getting tested. I had to start phone video to make him responsive.

Tens of thousands of people with disabilities deserve better

Staff said they could not enter wheelchair ramp van to swab my wife and draw her blood.

They ignored my clear, booming voice explaining she could roll out the ramp (full or to top of it) to give them access to her same as rest of drivers rolling down their window.

Clueless, rude, discriminating staff forced delicate door to $75,000 wheelchair ramp without asking first.

This can cause damage, detected weeks later, that will destroy my wife's mobility.

Proof that we were persons tested #34 and #35 on September 10, 2020 at Marlins Park

To document this, I started taking video on my I-Phone.

The staff then threatened to remove me from the site without testing I kept exercising my basic American right of documenting incompetence and discrimination via video on my phone.

Got blood results onsite, (negative for both of us, bud advised that nasal swab results also must be read to know for sure) then told swab takes max four days for results.

Nothing online, so my wife calls to see what's up after four days.

She reached a totally unhelpful person who claimed she had zero record of our even having an appointment for September 10, when we wasted nearly half a day trying to get tested.

Worthless call to info number took more than an hour -- 20 minutes with an imbecile who insisted we had no appointment & were not tested (we have proof otherwise) then 40 minutes on hold waiting for a supervisor -- then hung up on before reaching a human.

We have no symptoms, but when you take the time to go in -- trying to be responsible -- you want to see your results.

My wife has multiple underlying conditions and is undergoing a treatment that lowers immunity.

She needs test results now.

To date, three wasted hours at Marlins Park (should take 15 minutes) = disability discrimination + unprofessional behavior + lost test results. 

My wife, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, needs results -- but it is clear that none are coming and the company making tens of millions off of testing for Florida could care less.

Who is going to fix this?

 

 

 

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 23

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

I talked to the Golden Hotel staff about dodging a few sprinkles on the way to the museum and they looked at me like I was crazy. 

Turned out, record rain was predicted and the government had closed schools, universities, businesses and museums.

I watched what would be a so-so rain in the subtropics turn into a disaster in Cairo. 

Virtually all businesses closed by noon. 

Starving, I had Ahmad call in some food for delivery. 

Turns out KFC was the only place open and delivering.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 22

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

My last full day, I was planning to re-visit the very nearby Egyptian Museum.

But wet weather put the brakes on that.

When I returned from Luxor, I noted that rain was in the forecast. 

I’m from Miami, where we get more than 60 inches of rain per year. 

Cairo, built on the desert, averages less than an inch per year.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 21

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

Ahmad politely frowned and produced what looked to be a yellow box for a deck of cards.

It contained Antinal, Egypt’s best bind up your belly med.

I took one from his stash.

He insisted I take the whole blister pack. 

He refused any money that he could use to replenish his stock. 

Those pills and his suggestion of a place for simple, clean gut-binding food is the only reason I could leave my bed after noon.

Ahmad's healing powers allowed me to enjoy the rest of the day touring, including a sunset felucca on the Nile.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 20

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

The next morning, I crawled down to breakfast. I wanted tea and toast on my belly.

I sheepishly told the front desk man – Ahmad – that I could use a fresh supply of toilet paper and hand soap.

All-knowing, he quietly asked me if I had spent the night doing what I in fact had done.

I showed him a packet of Imodium-like pills that I had picked up at a pharmacy on the walk back home from the Koshary house, when the belly was rumbling.

They were not doing the job.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 19

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

Much later in the day, after the tour (camel ride up charge of course) of Giza's Great Pyramids, I went for a Cairo classic.

After a gut-busting plate of Koshary at legendary Abou Tarek, I barely made it home in one piece.

Pharaoh’s’ revenge hit me hard. 

Thank goodness the Golden is not stingy about leaving extra TP in the room.

What likely was food poisoning from reheated nasty chicken at worst – a GI tract bad reaction to microbes in the unwashed veggies under said bird at the best – left me with a cleansing unmatched to this point in my 50-plus years of globe-trotting.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 18

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

Nabil had sternly warned – hot food only. 

No peeled fruit, no salad, no juices, no meat on a bed of lettuce or salad.

The below mediocre lunch stop brought out item after item that violated Nabil’s warning. 

When I ordered, I clearly said I was fine with tahini and bread only.

I finally allowed a few bits of roast chicken on a bed of allegedly grilled vegetables as part of my "free" meal included in the tour company's base price.  

The amount I was charged for two small coke bottles (drinks not included) probably covered the expense of the mass-produced “free” array of food brought to the table.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

A PANDEMIC IS NO REASON TO DENY CIVIL RIGHTS

WHEN EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT EQUITY AND INCLUSION, DISABLED PEOPLE ARE BEING EXCLUDED BY INACCESSIBLE COVID-19 RESPONSES 

Narrow steps block all patrons with disabilities at La Camaronera

We love supporting mom and pop businesses.

We have probably had 100 $50 meals at La Camaronera, a seafood joint very near our home in Little Havana.

We felt like family, putting up with the cash only operation despite growth that demands acceptance of credit cards.

When the pandemic hit and responsible actions included closing indoor dining spaces, we were no longer family.

Literally, we were no longer at the table.

Because the Camaronera owners brought in a raised platform for outdoor dining that sits several feet above ground level in its Flagler Street parking lot.

There are two entrances to the platform. Both are up several steps – though there is ample space to accommodate a wheelchair ramp.

My wife uses a wheelchair for mobility.

She is blocked from accessing the raised platform.

If the restaurant banned people from dining on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, orientation or other minority status – it would be blasted on the evening news and front page of the newspaper.

Politicians would be tripping over themselves to lead a boycott.

For people with disabilities, just a shrug.

The attitude is “give the business a break, these are hard times.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act is federal civil rights legislation protecting the rights of people with disabilities.

Saying it should be set aside because of a slumping restaurant-retail economy is no different than saying the pandemic justifies a boss firing everyone for being Jewish…that COVID-9 makes it just fine to pay everyone with black skin $5 per hour while paying all with white skin $15 per hour.

Discrimination is discrimination -- and it is out of bounds and repugnant 100 percent of the time.

It is ironic that politicians – so eager to declare themselves the champions of equity and inclusion, so ready to get free publicity on TV, radio and in print by marrying themselves to Black Lives Matter – couldn’t give a crap about the rights of people with disabilities. 

(For the record, we very much support BLM and all movements to end brutality and discrimination by police and government).

Wheelchair users cannot access the BID-placed picnic tables on Fuller Street in Coconut Grove

I have pointed out to several elected officials that the picnic tables put out by a government entity – the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District – are inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Despite federal statistics that prove one in five Americans experience some type of disability, the response is a collective yawn.

In other areas, I have seen city managers and other prominent government officials laud the “game changing” action to block sidewalks with outdoor dining tables.

The only game that changes for wheelchair users and blind people are to push them in harm’s way, out in the street.

Sometimes there are makeshift secondary sidewalks at street level – with only traffic cones separating people with disabilities from death by distracted driver.

In other spots, I have seen the public right-of-way and off-street parking lots transformed into outdoor dining under a tent or awning.

For some insane and exclusionary reason, a significant amount of these outdoor setups are equipped only with high top tables. 

No wheelchair, scooter or other assistive mobility device user can access these.

This problem is widespread in Miami and the South Florida region.

Based on barriers created by pandemic outdoor dining adaptation that I’ve seen in dozens of media reports from around the nation, the problem is making life difficult and dangerous to people with disabilities from coast to coast.

This assertion is backed up by hundreds of Twitter and other social media posts from frustrated wheelchair users and others whose simple run to the corner store, pharmacy or deli is blockaded by idiotic setups that black sidewalks, curb ramps and other access for months on end.

Our family will be boycotting any restaurant, shop or service that thinks it’s fair game to destroy mobility for people with disabilities. That means $5,000 to $10,000 loyal dollars will go elsewhere.

And we certainly will be supporting the opponents of elected officials who ignore the disability community at every turn.

Zero Access at La Camaronera

 

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 17

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

My tour had nothing to do with the Golden Hotel

The outside tour company me plopped down at a fragrance factory (one of maybe 100 similar tourist traps exist.) 

I protested till I was allowed to leave. 

I must have railed so hard that the driver mumbled “guess you will NOT want to stop at the Papyrus Museum?"

My answer was a resounding correct.

Dozens of these so-called museums that are simply gift shops – and what the hell would one do with papyrus anyway?

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 16

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

When Nabi learned I had pre-booked a tour online – early morning to Memphis and Sakkara, then lunch overlooking and a visit to the grounds of the Great Pyramids, he warned me.

He said I would be up-sold and taken to places I didn’t want to see.

He promised these are things his driver would not do.

He proved correct.

Upon pickup, I was up-charged some kind of single occupant fee roughly half of what I’d paid when booking.

And the tour company's guide made it clear that $20 USD would be a so-so tip (even though most would be beyond thrilled with 200 Egyptian Pounds, about $13 USD).

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 15

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

I would share my adventures with Nabil.

And he would sell me the services of his driver (quite a bit more pricey than Uber but more reliable, dependable and cost-effective than a taxi.) 

Then I had Golden's sedan ferrying me to and from the kitschy-fun sound & light show at the Pyramids of Giza after dark.

Next was a connect the dots tour of the famed Citadel, various historic mosques (both charge a small admission) and sights/sounds of the endlessly intriguing city.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 14

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

I ate chicken shawarma – the best I’ve ever had, both on a pita and baguette – for a couple bucks at FelFela next door. 

I brought home fine baked goods – Arabic nut/honey-based and fine European chocolate torts – from historic El Abd Patisserie‎ just up Talaat Harb.

I smoked the sisha till my head was light, balancing puffs with lukewarm bottled water and endless hot mint tea—at a popular haunt that had usurped an alleyway just footsteps from the Golden.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 13

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

Nabil delighted in coaxing me out to that balcony, with the lovely sun low in the western sky on the opposite side of the street. 

We would speak of architecture, society, civilization, museums, great food (fancy sit down and street variety), different cultures, travel, history and more.

He instantly understood that while I was going to see the Pyramids of Giza, take a boat out on the Nile and visit a few tourist-friendly spots (Khan Khalil, Coptic Cairo, the Egyptian Museum)...

...that I really liked getting lost in the backstreets, the dusty alleys, the endless marketplaces, the ancient mosques and clamorous-enchanting old neighborhoods of endlessly-expanding Cairo.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 12

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

The balcony in Golden’s kitchen overlooks all the street theater on Talaat Harb. 

Nabil loves to light up a cigarette.

By the way, it seems that everyone smokes in Cairo. 

The nonsmoking section often is one or two little tables – in the center of a full-smoking dining room.

Then Nabil has some coffee or tea.

Egyptians must be second only to Turks in tea consumption.

Then Nabil watches the world go by.

Sometimes he has a friend with him and they will be animatedly chatting in French, then Arabic, a tiny bit of English, then back to Arabic.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SOULMATE HEIDI

 WE HAVE CELEBRATED OUR BIRTHDAYS

 FOR MORE THAN A THIRD OF A CENTURY TOGETHER

I love Heidi for thousands of reasons.

She always has my back.

She has helped me grow as a person in countless ways.

Right now, during the pandemic, I especially love Heidi for the way she takes care of our Siamese rescue cat HoneyBear.

She manages all vet appointments, vaccinations, check-ups, medicines, prescription food, etc.

She plays with HB at least twice a day.

Happy 56th birthday, from your loving husband and cat.

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 11

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

Golden Hotel owner Nabil is French-Arab and has managed many hotels. 

He grew up in Alexandria and has many suggestions for places to see in the grand old city on the Mediterranean.

Each afternoon, as I would come back a little sunburned, windburned and eyes hurting from the dust and car exhaust, gray-haired, 60-something Nabil, the owner, would greet me.

My room was on the fourth (fifth, the way U.S. does floor numbering) floor and the reception is on the third. 

There’s a little kitchen with a couple tables off the front desk. It’s largely for staff – some live on premises – to cook a meal and store their lunches in the full-size fridge.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 10

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

There is one quirk that might put some people off, but it is not uncommon for small, family-operated hotels in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. 

You have to leave your room key at the desk when leaving…whether it’s for the day, a few hours or to run next door for some shawarma.

It does prevent one from carrying around a big key fob, or losing one’s key on the never-ending streets of Cairo.

I don’t remember a room safe, but I felt 100% secure leaving spare camera lenses, cash and valuables (tucked in a slot in my suitcase) in the room while staff had access to make the bed, empty the baskets and leave everything super clean.

I simply cannot imagine Nabil, the owner, hiring or tolerating a person who would mess with belongings in a guestroom.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/

GOLDEN HOTEL CAIRO, EGYPT -- 9

3-Star Hotel that Offers 10-Star Service at Backpacker Prices

A very interesting contraption of wooden forms – almost like the old LP crates, for those of you old enough to have collected vinyl in college – made for an efficient way of story my clothes on hangers, suitcase up top, daily finds, medicines and much more.

There was a nice flat screen TV, but I really didn’t use it much. 

Better still was a remote-controlled AC unit…which also had heat, which I used more because I was there in the last month of winter and after midnight in the desert is chilly.

Breakfasts offered toast, butter, jam, yogurt, eggs, cheese, fruit and more – though I usually went for just a simple toast and coffee combo.

http://goldenhotelegypt.com/