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Anna Zivarts, program director, Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington, is author of the Island Press book “When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency.”
“My advice for people working in the industry is to
recognize this is expertise you do not have,” she said, encouraging planning
agencies and firms to hire people with disabilities.
Antiquated hiring requirements block millions of people
with disabilities from planning jobs.
Most jobs require a driver’s license, even if it is not
an essential part of the work.
Many require the ability to lift 30 or more pounds —
excluding people with physical disabilities — even though performing the job
never requires it.
She also noted that universities with planning, urban
design and transportation degree programs need to do a much better job of
recruiting students with disabilities.
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