STUDY IN COLUMBUS FINDS LACK OF SIDEWALKS HAMPERS MOBILITY
A landmark study published by Ohio State University researchers in the Journal of Transport Geography in the second quarter of 2023 states that only one percent of Columbus, Ohio is accessible to transit riders who use manual wheelchairs for mobility.
The number increases to only 25 percent for those who can afford power wheelchairs.
The groundbreaking study showed the broken, missing and
obstructed sidewalks, inaccessible buildings and other barriers meant the vast
majority of the city is off-limits to people with mobility disabilities.
Researchers noted that Columbus is typical of most large cities and that the same isolating, segregating and unhealthy built environment exists in most.
If one sidewalk
was broken, missing, too narrow, too tilted or even blocked by a parked car –
the person with a disability’s pathway is 100 percent denied.
When those using wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, canes and other assistive mobility devices perpetually hit a barrier, they must detour for blocks to reach their destination. Being tardy to class too often can result in a terrible grade for a great student.
Constantly being late for work has negative results
ranging from being denied promotions to getting fired.
This report
should be front page news in every newspaper in America.
https://news.osu.edu/why-buses-cant-get-wheelchair-users-to-most-areas-of-cities/
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