HONORED TO SPEAK AT THE FLORIDA REALTORS

2024 CONVENTION IN ORLANDO

 

My topic was Sustainable Development Solutions -- How Do You Fit In?

I also focused on Universal Design and Aging in Place.

I appreciate the opportunity to speak at the Rosen Shingle Creek facility, to an attentive crowd.

Contact me to be your next keynote speaker on Universal Design, Placemaking, Aging In Place, Sustainability or any other aspect of Planning.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

“When a community feels as if you have a goal that is misaligned with its goals, that you’re not working on behalf of them, you are not building consensus and working toward shared goals,”

said Charles Brown, founder and CEO at Equitable Cities and creator of the Arrested Mobility Podcast.

“If you have collaboration and co-creation from the start, you can get to a point of trust because you’re working towards shared goals.”

Give a voice to people who never had a seat at the table.

Brown said giving a voice to people who never had a seat at the table produces strong results.

When only the establishment runs the show — planning, rules and procedures can hurt marginalized people.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

“As a person of color, when I tried to enact change swiftly from within — it was always met with resistance.

So, the solution for me wasn’t to stay within that system and fight against it on a day-to-day basis.

It was to create my own firm, so I could be free.

In the worlds of Jay-Z, ‘Til you own your own, you can’t be free,’” said Charles Brown, founder and CEO at Equitable Cities and creator of the Arrested Mobility Podcast.

Brown said the best reset button to refocus on inclusive community engagement is the power of collaboration and co-creation.

“Stakeholders are actively involved in shaping decisions and solutions.

And what this does is it involves valuing those diverse perspectives, building consensus, and working towards shared goals,” he said.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

“Part of the solution is more Black people, more people of color, owning their own planning firms.

We do have people of color who are at management levels at firms or directors of government [planning] offices.

The problem is that they’re still not in a position of power to change the culture of that place,” said Charles Brown, founder and CEO at Equitable Cities and creator of the Arrested Mobility Podcast.

Brown said the American Planning Association could provide training, networking and resources to develop people of color on a path to upper management or creating their own firm.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

“If that doesn’t happen, it leads to the distrust, perceived disrespect and the lack of empathy that exists between [the] community and planners who are in it just for the sake of the project — as opposed to centering the importance of people’s voices in these processes,”

said Charles Brown, who serves on the Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Brown encourages planning firms to be reflective of the diverse communities they serve.

“I don’t know what the percentage of black and brown planners is, but it’s certainly very low.

So, part of the solution is hiring people of color and putting them in project management roles,” he said of fundamental changes for inclusion that go beyond techniques and toolkits.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE 

From toolkits to common sense ways of broadening input by embracing diversity and going to the street corners, kitchens and hang out places of diverse stakeholders — planners are aiming for more inclusivity with public engagement.

Charles Brown is founder and CEO at Equitable Cities and creator of the Arrested Mobility Podcast that explores why Black Americans and other people of color are disproportionately victims of overly aggressive police enforcement and brutality while walking, running, riding bicycles, taking public transit and driving.

The Equitable Cities teams in action alongside community teams.

“For me, it really boils down to planners understanding the importance of acknowledging other people’s feelings.

This is key because it is important to demonstrate — as a planner but also any professional — empathy, respect and understanding,” he said of getting at the heart of meaningful input from diverse communities.

“By acknowledging someone’s feelings, you validate their experiences.

It builds trust and it promotes effective communication, which is at the heart of what we’re trying to do when we are engaged with the public as planners.”

 

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

AVOID THE SINS OF THE PAST BY GETTING 

MEANINGFUL INPUT FROM MARGINALIZED PEOPLE

Planning, well-meaning or not so, has rarely produced equitable results for all stakeholders.

Certainly for much of the 20th century, people of color and other marginalized people bore the brunt of elitist to bigoted planning, zoning and other regulations.

Upwards of 100 Black communities were bisected or destroyed by freeways. Eminent domain robbed generational wealth from many minority main streets.

Sewage plants, factories and land uses with severely negative environmental impacts almost always wound up in areas where people were poor and not well connected to city hall.

The planning profession realizes that even the most well-educated, well-meaning planner has biases.

No single human being can personally know the dozens of different lived experiences and expectations of the diverse community they are shaping through planning.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Deborah McFadden

Voting is a right of all Americans, but too few are exercising that right.

According to the US Census Bureau, 67% of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2020 presidential election, but 62% of people with disabilities voted.

An analysis by the Election Assistance Commission found that if people with disabilities had voted at the same rate as people without disabilities, there would have been about 1.75 million more voters.

“One in four people have a disability. It’s the largest minority voting bloc in America. It is even bigger when you consider the family, friends, and caregivers,” says Deborah McFadden, who was instrumental in writing the ADA and getting it passed in her role as US Commissioner of Disabilities under President George H. W. Bush.

Deborah now operates Abilities Count to assist families in navigating disability benefits.

“Our voices have been heard.

But if we were even more active — as voters and as advocates pressing for inclusion — we would have a huge voice that could positively impact many things.”

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Shaun Hill

Shaun Hill, MDA’s Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy, is leading the Access the Vote campaign to provide resources and guidance for navigating the electoral process.

She urges MDA members to use their right to vote to champion legislation impacting the disability community.

“Access the Vote is all about education, engagement, and empowerment,” Shaun says.

“The initiative aims to help people understand our government, the issues that affect our community, and how these things intersect with our daily lives.”

Along with teaching individuals how to be active, informed voters, Access the Vote addresses the barriers people with disabilities still face to exercising their right to vote — from lack of transportation to inaccessible voting machines.

It is a vital resource for information on disability voting rights and practical tools for preparing to vote.

Deborah McFadden was instrumental in writing the ADA and getting it passed in her role as US Commissioner of Disabilities under President George H. W. Bush. Deborah now operates Abilities Count to assist families in navigating disability benefits.

She recounts: “I was talking to five people who had just turned 18 that I helped with SSI and vocational rehabilitation, and I asked them if they were registered to vote.

Not one was.

I told them voting is the cornerstone of Democracy.

If there is one thing I can say to parents of children with disabilities, it is to vote and encourage your children to register when they turn 18.”

MDA wants to ensure that everyone in the neuromuscular community has the knowledge and opportunity to engage in the electoral process at all levels of government.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Congress is also considering legislation related to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). The HCBS Access Act would increase access to in-home caregiving for people who need assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. 

The HCBS Relief Act supplies temporary additional funding for HCBS services with the goal of increasing the caregiver workforce.

Other important issues and pending legislation include:

• Making sure telehealth continues to be accessible for those who use it for essential medical care.
• Increasing access to genetic medicine and counseling.
• Improving access to specialized multidisciplinary care for the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community via the ALS Better Care Act.

From the presidential election in November to the thousands of statewide, district, and local races taking place throughout the year, MDA encourages its members to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

While the neuromuscular and disability communities celebrate the progress made, they know there is still much to do to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else.

“Our community has told us to focus on reforming federal benefit programs, to prioritize SSI benefits that are better tailored to the century we live in,” says Paul Melmeyer, MDA’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy.

“Without changes, people risk SSI or Medicaid benefits if they pursue a career and their pay makes them ineligible.”

The Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) Penalty Elimination Act, introduced in the Senate in 2023, addresses this issue.

If approved, it would increase SSI asset limits from $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples — and these limits would be adjusted annually for inflation.

This would make it easier for individuals with disabilities to hold jobs and save for unexpected expenses without jeopardizing their benefits.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Improving air travel for people with disabilities is an area MDA has been engaged in for many years.

For example, in 2022, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) held a listening session on air travel with wheelchair users.

People with neuromuscular diseases were among the broad base of advocates who detailed unacceptable conditions — everything from injuries caused by improper seat transfers to damaged mobility devices.

In response, the DOT released the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights.

In late 2023, after MDA advocates shared their personal air travel experiences with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials, the TSA invited MDA to provide officer training on interacting with travelers who use mobility devices.

This year, Congress passed the long-awaited Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization. This major piece of legislation includes reforms that will make air travel more accessible for people with disabilities, including:

• Airport and airline personnel will receive stronger, hands-on training on assisting passengers with disabilities and stowing wheelchairs.
• Airlines will be held accountable for reporting damage to wheelchairs.
• The FAA will continue to study the option of allowing passengers to stay in their wheelchairs during flight.
• People with disabilities will have a seat at the table when the government makes future decisions about air travel.

This law is the result of advocates sharing their air travel stories and telling lawmakers how the provisions in the bill will improve their flying experience.

MDA advocates made personal connections with their representatives to provide key information during the reauthorization process.

“I would say that accessible air travel is one area where MDA has helped create immense progress,” says Mark Fisher, MDA’s Director of Advocacy Engagement.

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

Another win for the neuromuscular community came in May 2023, when Medicare announced it would cover seat elevation systems for power wheelchairs.

Leading up to the announcement, the MDA Advocacy team submitted formal comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting this additional coverage.

In addition, MDA’s grassroots advocates sent in their own personal comments encouraging the CMS to make this change.

“Our advocates are spectacular at telling their stories to show why changes to laws and rules are important,” says Mark Fisher, MDA’s Director of Advocacy Engagement.

“One thing I love about advocacy at MDA is how our advocates fight so hard for change, whether it’s a big piece of legislation or a small tweak within an agency. I’m so proud of what our advocates have accomplished.”

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

It’s encouraging to look at how the disability community has positively influenced public policy regarding disability benefits in the last few years.

In 2022, Congress passed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. Starting in 2026, the age of onset of disability to be eligible for an ABLE account will change from 26 to 46.

These tax-advantaged savings accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save and pay for disability-related expenses without endangering their benefits.

The policy change is estimated to make an additional 6 million people eligible for ABLE accounts.

In addition, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act requires Medicare to cap the out-of-pocket costs of medications at $2,000 starting in 2025.

Currently, people with neuromuscular diseases on Medicare can see drug costs in the many thousands of dollars.

Advocates from the neuromuscular and disability communities who contacted their members of Congress were crucial in getting this law passed.

In 2023, MDA teamed up with other disability advocacy organizations to successfully defend the Medicaid program from work requirements and cuts that would have made it harder to qualify for Medicaid services or reduced benefits for people with disabilities.

 

YOUR VOTE MATTERS:

DISABILITY ADVOCATES CAN HELP CHANGE 

LEGISLATION FOR THE BETTER

When you think about great legislation for people with disabilities, you probably think of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

This important law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including jobs, schools, businesses, and transportation. It is designed to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

“The disability community came together to make this landmark law, showing the collective power we have,” says Deborah McFadden, who was instrumental in writing the ADA and getting it passed in her role as US Commissioner of Disabilities under President George H. W. Bush.

Deborah now operates Abilities Count to assist families in navigating disability benefits.

“While passing the ADA was a major achievement for the disability community, much work remains to be done,” she says. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make your voice heard.”

Thanks to the dedication of countless advocates like Deborah, in the decades since the ADA was passed, we have seen some important progress in public policy and disability awareness.

From lobbying efforts by MDA and other organizations to calls, emails, and letters to representatives by grassroots advocates, making our voices heard has been a powerful tool for change.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Physical therapy clinics, often like fitness gymnasiums, are designed for a wide range of exercises, manual therapy, mechanical devices, and stations for heat, cold, electricity, sound waves, and radiation treatment.

PTs also can help a person adjust to using a prosthesis or assistive mobility device.

The goal is to minimize loss of mobility via specific treatment, fitness and wellness programs tailored to the person’s condition, age, goals, etc.

People with physical disabilities also benefit from an occupational therapist.

This is similar, but instead of a fitness center, the clinic is set up like a workplace – an office, industrial or other setting.

OTs retrain people with physical disabilities to return to their jobs via new approaches to doing physical labor or with assistive devices.

OTs also train people with physical disabilities for an entirely new career, should their disability preclude their reassuming their prior job duties.

Many of United Spinal Association’s Rehabilitation & Therapeutic members provide PT, OT, and other invaluable services for people with physical disabilities.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

People with physical disabilities are served by dozens of nationwide nonprofit advocacy groups that raise funds for research, treatment, adaptive equipment, mobility devices, job training, educational opportunities, quality of life, political advocacy and other efforts that champion inclusion in all aspects of daily life.

Longstanding nonprofits include, but are not limited to, United Spinal Association, United Cerebral Palsy, Arthritis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Epilepsy Foundation and Spina Bifida Foundation.

Most people with physical disabilities can benefit from a licensed physical therapist.

Hospitals have in-patient physical therapy for people recovering from surgery or treatment.

Outpatient physical therapy clinics have significantly grown in the 21st century.

A physician usually writes a prescription, and the PT analyzes X-rays and medical reports.

The physician then interviews the person while creating a course of treatment.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Even with the boost in work-from-home technology during the COVID pandemic, people with physical disabilities were pushed into jobs below their ability, less than full-time work or unemployment – at numbers far lower than people who do not have a disability.

This leads to poverty or barely enough income to pay for accessible housing, transportation, health care, personal care and food.

Adults with physical disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities, as researched and reported by the CDC.

A CDC study found that about one-third of adults with physical disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, defined as 14 or more reported mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days.

During the COVID pandemic, mental health issues rose in the disability community.

Isolation, a reduction in PCA availability, and having an underlying condition that made the impact of COVID more dangerous contributed to depression, anxiety, and other issues.

Prevalent causes of mental health distress among people with physical disabilities include poor access to health care, isolation from the community, and poverty. Peer support groups may help break down isolation.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

United Spinal Association has focused on the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries/disorders for over 75 years. The association advocates for all wheelchair users and those using assistive mobility devices – no matter the underlying cause.

Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and related inflammatory conditions are the most common physical disabilities resulting from a medical condition post-birth.

Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability from childbirth.

Spinal cord injury is the most common physical disability resulting from traumatic injury, though some SCIs can result from a medical condition.

More than one in four people (27%) have some level of disability that impacts their daily lives, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

This includes physical, visual, hearing and cognitive disabilities. 

That means there are roughly 90 million people in the United States who have a disability.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates that at least 7% of Americans have a physical disability. 

U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics prove that people with physical disabilities are by far the most under- and unemployed of all marginalized groups in America.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Many people with physical disabilities benefit from personal care attendants. 

These trained professionals are not nurses but are skilled at helping with daily routines to prepare for work, meals, recreation, and sleep.

Also, since the passage of civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, adaptations to transit, transportation, sidewalks, parks, education centers, workplaces, shopping centers and the arts can make them accessible to people with disabilities.

Examples of physical disabilities

Physical disability is often the result of a medical condition, such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis or epilepsy.

Some disabilities are present at birth, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and partially formed/not fully functional limb or extremity.

Physical disability also can result from an injury, such as loss/reduction of use of a limb or spinal cord injury.

WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Physical disability is defined as a limitation on a person’s physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina.

Although a physical disability substantially impacts an individual’s ability to do normal daily activities, it does not preclude quality of life.

Many people with physical disabilities are employed, go to school, raise families and engage in other meaningful activities.

Physical disability can impact a person’s ability to bathe, dress, prepare meals, do chores and other daily activities.

It can affect speech and communication.

But with proper support and services, a person with a physical disability’s life is as meaningful as anyone else’s.

The use of durable medical equipment, such as shower benches, grab bars, and wheelchairs, can mitigate physical disability.

Smart technologies that allow appliances to be operated by voice have increased the ability of people with physical disabilities to control their environment.

And a whole host of assistive technology exists to support people with physical disabilities in leading rich and fulfilling lives.

ABLEISM IN GOVERNMENT

CITIES SPARE NO EXPENSE…EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO TREATING PEOPLE WITH DISABIITIES LIKE HUMAN BEINGS THAT DESERVE EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Mayor:

Our new library is state-of-the-art.

We spared no expense on the billion dollar stadium.

The city hall annex is the best of the best.

Improving the community pool lift to bare minimum ADA compliance is in the (unfunded) 10-year plan.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 LARGO DA GRAÇA

Largo da Graça is far from famous. 

But this little hilltop oasis near Lisbon's highest point is one of my favorite town squares on earth. 

Urban Squares has a nice video + write up about it. 

http://urbansquares.com/countries/portugal/por20.html

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 HISTORIC ELECTRIC TRAMS

Lisbon’s trams retain original 1930s features, including polished wood interiors, brass dials and yellow paint.

In other cities, they would be in a museum. In Lisbon, they are an integral part of the public transport network.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 ESTRELA STROLL

Long stroll through Estrela.

Love this beautiful working class Lisbon neighborhood filled with parks, churches and fabulous azulejos on its buildings.

All served by the historic 28E tram.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

 ELEVADOR DA GLÓRIA

The colorfully painted and always graffitied Elevador da Glória is a funicular in Santo António, Lisbon, Portugal. 

It connects the Pombaline downtown with Bairro Alto.

LISBON, PORTUGAL

CITY OF SEVEN HILLS

Lisbon is so hilly that when I walked 13 miles per day, I felt like I was getting 20 miles worth of workout. 

The inclines justify outdoor escalators. But to my engineering friends — how do they not break down in rain?

LISBON, PORTUGAL

ELÉCTRICO 28 HISTÓRICO

Be it poem, novel or short story — Pessoa, Saramago or a contemporary author — the historic trams of Lisbon figure prominently in Portuguese literature. 

Here, the tram chugs toward Largo da Graça.

AN IMMERSIVE EXPLORATION OF “SAUDADE”

THROUGH LITERATURE, ART, AND OTHER MEDIA

I am honored to be among the world class multimedia artists included in Amy Serrano's colorful, engaging Saudades book.

My back cover photo is on the bottom right.

More of my street photography in Portugal is in the book.

Official book sales started July 31.

It’s available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million and powerhouse Miami local Books and Books.

The Miami Launch event is on Oct. 4.

For much more information, click on the press release:

https://files.constantcontact.com/be755cbc401/7673ddfe-4756-4c76-b51a-0527d29455a1.pdf

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

It is fascinating that Japan does not have underlying legislation as strong as the ADA, but it has better access to essential public transit.

The lesson is that the ADA is a strong foundation, but true inclusion is only realized through a commitment to universal design.

We celebrated the ADA anniversary in July, but must realize we all have a responsibility to create a world where the built environment is accessible to people with disabilities.

This commitment, which pays huge dividends for society as a whole, is especially imperative on architects, planners, mobility engineers, builders, employers and government.

Let's make the world accessible to everyone.

To watch the trailer and learn more about GLIDE Fund -- a nonprofit in Mark Bookman’s honor “established to provide financial assistance to disabled students interested in education exchange experiences to foster an inclusive society in which anyone can lead an independent and self-determined life.” – visit:

https://www.glidefund.org/documentary

HONORING A LEGACY WHILE LEARNING FROM JAPAN

MARK BOOKMAN AND THE 34^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA

The other huge takeaway -- from my trip to Tokyo to attend the world premiere of “Mark – A Call To Action” -- was the super clean and accessible public restrooms.

Even the largest commuter train stations in America often lack restrooms and when they have them, they are filthy and often ill-equipped for people with disabilities.

Virtually every restroom area had a men’s, women’s and unisex/accessible restroom.

The accessible ones were huge – and featured easy to toggle levers, located low toward wheelchair height, for locking the stall for privacy.

Some even had automatic door openers and closers and a good number featured adult changing stations.

Equally clean, well-maintained and fabulously-accessible free public restrooms are everywhere – at parks, by bridges, even in narrow old alleys famed for tiny shops serving ramen and Japanese beer.