THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THOUSANDS OF BLOCKADES TO WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Poorly maintained landscaping = flood
zone around tree.
Coupled with unregulated overturned
trash bin plus mountain of recycling = no wheelchair access.
Ludlow at Houston.
THE ABILITY TO DESIGN IS A GIFT
DESIGNING IN WAYS
THAT EXCLUDE IS THROWING AWAY THAT GIFT
Both are add-ons.
If disability access offends the
designer—he is prejudiced against people with disabilities.
UNTIL MIAMI LEADERS CARE ABOUT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY -- FATALITIES ARE A MATTER OF WHEN AND HOW MANY, NOT IF
 |
| Photo shared on Nextdoor public forum |
This gruesome picture is a human being
in the throes of death.
It was posted on Nextdoor by a neighbor.
She lost the father of her child and
ex-husband to a hit and run driver.
Raul Daizi was struck while crossing
the major Miami intersection of Coral Way and 27th Avenue.
He and his family suffered in agony
for nearly two weeks, before he succumbed.
I have lost multiple neighbors to
dangerous design and lax enforcement on greater Miami’s mean streets.
Certainly, a hit and run driver is at
fault.
But I also blame the City of Miami and
Miami-Dade County for designing dangerous streets -- built for cars to drive as
fast and recklessly as possible.
The safety of pedestrians is way down on
the priority list.
Plus, very few of our police will ticket speeders and out of control drivers.
I've seen people make left
turns out of the far right, blast through red lights 30 seconds after it has
turned full red -- with cop cars right next to me.
They do nothing.
Finally, when people behind the wheel
kill -- our judicial system acts like it is an accident, not a person driving
like a maniac with intent to kill anything in the way.
If we elect mayors and commissioners
who care about human beings on foot, on bike, using wheelchairs or crutches --
we will stop losing our loved ones.
Until then, the blood of pedestrian killing
and maiming is on the hands of leaders who allow our
roads to be intentionally dangerous by design.
We could take giant steps to fix this, if we dedicated a full-time person to protect pedestrian mobility:
https://urbantravelandaccessibility.blogspot.com/2026/02/create-chief-mobility-officer.html
IS NOT AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH TO BE IGNORED – PART II
 |
| Image is NYC mural by Yok & Sheryo |
The award to the biggest rat bastard town planner goes to this ableist:
I asked why his plan only showed stairs and
no wheelchair access.
“Well, maybe if people walked more,
they would never need wheelchairs, he said.
While exercise is great, imagine a
renowned urban designer being so opposed to ADA inclusion that they created
myths.
In their absurd world, a lack of ramps
& elevators is a 100% protective shield against spinal cord injury, MS, MD,
CP, aging & all mobility impairments!
THEY ONLY ADDED CRAPPY, BEGRUDGING ACCESS AFTER A LAWSUIT
As we celebrated the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this summer, remember that this giant middle finger to the ADA opened with virtually no wheelchair access.
This supposedly immersive (but not inclusive) public art reopened after a massive redesign (not for more wheelchair access, but to prevent frequent suicides).
It remains a gross example of toxic ableism in my book.
IF A GIANT FACILITY CAN RETROFIT FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, SURELY A POSTAGE STAMP SIZED PARK COULD MAKE THIS A FUNDING PRIORITY
The urban oasis features a 25-foot
waterfall that masks city noise.
It has a small cafe on East 51st St.
between 2nd-3rd Aves.
Sadly, it does not have ramped access
to the lower waterfall viewing area.
The elevated seating, under a canopy,
that serves the café also is not accessible.
Though it was built before the ADA in
1971, surely this landmarked park could do some simple fundraising to become
inclusive to all locals and visitors.
DISABILITY VISIBILITY PROJECT BY STEVE WRIGHT
The MET has a ground level wheelchair
accessible entrance.
Art on display is accessible
throughout.
And there are many elevators to reach
upper floor galleries.
But I wish it would stop using the
stairs as the main, but terribly segregated entrance.
IS NOT AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH TO BE IGNORED
The sidewalks are narrow &
obstructed.
“It has a bike lane.”
Most shops are inaccessible to people
with disabilities.
“Pretty green bike lane.”
To make things abundantly clear.
I support cyclists and bike lanes.
I love cities where a major amount of
people commute by bike and transit.
What I can't stand is so-called
bike-ped experts who look at wheelchair access as an inconvenient truth to be
ignored.
WHILE RESPECTING THE MOBILITY NEEDS OF WHEELCHAIR USERS
The display maintains a wheelchair
accessible pathway.
MY EXPERTISE IS CITED IN THE SECOND EDITION
 |
| James Dougherty's fabulous and inclusive cover painting |
I will share my insights, based on working on inclusion and better policy around the world, at a Universal Design summit this fall.
I am honored that my urban/architectural photography is featured in The Art of the New Urbanism Volume 2 published by Wiley.
The book is by James Dougherty, Charles C. Bohl & Victor Dover.
It features my Street Photography from Istanbul, Morocco and Cairo.
I am proud to collaborate with Victor Dover.
He has been a friend and mentor for
more than two decades.
He has sought my guidance on matters
of Universal Design and Wheelchair Access.
We both are featured in the disability
positive film Mark -- A Call to Action:
https://youtu.be/M-TBzsOK5VY?si=knwhkRossJlW7xT-
TASTIEST FAIR PRICED CASUAL DINING IN ALL OF CHELSEA AND BEYOND
I settled on tasty oyster
mushrooms grilled with garlic oil on a Greek pita with peeled tomatoes, yogurt,
smoked paprika & side dip of spicy tomato saltsa.
Washed it down with EPSA Sour Cherry.
The best veggie meal I've had in
years!
TASTIEST FAIR PRICED CASUAL DINING IN ALL OF CHELSEA AND BEYOND
The beautifully decorated Chelsea
restaurant -- at W 22nd St. and 7th Ave. -- has succulent, authentic Greek
dishes.
QUIET, SUPER WELL DESIGNED ROOM IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING
Central Park, a cool oasis in a heat
wave, is 8 short city blocks north.
I also walked to Grand Central Station
and took photos of the nearby Chrysler Building.
The AC worked great in stifling hot
weather.
And the shower water was plenty warm
for washing off the sweat from a long day of urban exploring.
QUIET, SUPER WELL DESIGNED ROOM IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING
The lobby is tiny, but the staff was
great about running up an extra bed sheet, some plastic cutlery for in room
dining, etc.
The MET and other classic galleries on
Museum Mile are walking distance or 20 minutes via train/bus.
Even in the heat, I was close enough
to walk to a pair of dramas in the Theater District.
QUIET, SUPER WELL DESIGNED ROOM IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING
The bed was super comfy.
The room has all kinds of surfaces by
the desk and bed -- perfect for your laptop, in room eating, noise machine and
bottle of water next to the bed.
The room has a microwave (perfect for
warming that leftover bagel or NYC pizza slice) and a mini fridge upon request.
QUIET, SUPER WELL DESIGNED ROOM IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING
Next to Rockefeller Center, it is near
every great subway and transit option in the city.
Under the Rock provides nearby
breakfast, lunch and dinner options.
MOMA and 5th Avenue shopping are very
close by.
DISABILITY ADVOCATES, ACTIVISTS, LEADERS & CHANGE MAKERS
I have used my urban design and storytelling skills to create a better built environment for all.
"Steve Wright - a universal design expert helping cities and organizations understand that accessible design benefits everyone. A world traveler who is seeking out some of the world's most accessible and innovative designs."
--Bio by Meg O'Connell, CEO, Global Disability Inclusion.
Being recognized as one of the top 3 dozen disability-forward leaders/influencers is special, coming from a great inclusion expert such as Meg O'Connell, PHR.
Award winning Global Disability Inclusion is the premier firm for organizations creating more inclusive, accessible and engaged workplaces for people with disabilities.
I am the only town planner/storyteller on the Global Disability
Inclusion list.
Humbled to be in the company of: John D. Kemp, James LeBrecht, Maria Town, Jack McElaney, Tiffany A. Yu, the Hon. Mike Lake, M.P., and the late Judy Heumann.
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7487479566723198976/
CURB EXTENSIONS MAKE THIS CROSSWALK SAFER FOR ALL
Kudos to these pedestrian friendly, super wheelchair accessible curb extensions.
They calm traffic while providing an
excellent route for people with disabilities across Meridian Ave. at Lincoln
Lane and just north of Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.
Every Miami Beach official embrace this and bring it to hundreds of other intersections.
People with disabilities
depend on safe crosswalks.
INCLUSION IS A MUST!
Well, this
is one of 3 wheelchair ramped houses on the short side street of SW 18 Ave between
SW 14-16 Aves.
That much
need for access is proof positive that:
Disability
is NOT an outlier.
Inclusion is
a MUST!
BAD THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE BLOCK RAMPS WITH EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN
Wheelchair access ramps are NOT:
Places to park scooters or bikes.
Storage for extra chairs & tables.
This is what happens when ignorant cities let lazy architects design segregated entrances for people with disabilities.
It also is the fault of cities that are not proactive in regulating micromobility.
PRIORITIZE HUMAN BEINGS OVER VEHICLES
Amazing that a car can break down on a sleepy side street — and it’s towed away in a half hour to keep auto traffic flowing.
But shoddy
utility vault work that destroys pedestrian safety in a dense, walkable area
festers for months
We obsess on
clearing the way for speeding traffic.
We block
wheelchair/all safe pedestrian mobility for months.
This is in
the heart of Miami Beach.
VS BEGRUDGING ADA COMPLIANCE
Textbook example of the difference between lousy ADA compliance and welcoming Universal Design.
Main
entrance to Perez Art Museum Miami all steps.
Ramp narrow
and hidden to the side.
It says you should be segregated and ashamed if you can’t do stairs.
The
Americans with Disabilities Act is the floor, not the ceiling.
Competent
architects, planners and designers seek creative ways to mainstream all access
and mobility.
Others build monuments to their lazy shortsightedness.
This
structure was designed two decades after the ADA.
Checklist, isolating compliance is NOT a winning approach for a major civic building on the waterfront of a major international city.
NARROW SIDEWALKS AND PINCH POINTS DESTROY WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR MANY SW 37 AVENUE SEGMENTS BETWEEN CORAL GABLES-MIAMI
After
walking 7 blocks on Douglas Road today:
I can
confidently say if I am given the choice between 2 days in jail or walking 12
blocks of Douglas & crossing its dangerous traffic 4 times—I’m picking time
in the lock up.
Narrow
sidewalks.
No shade.
Power polls
and other barriers that destroy wheelchair access.
More than
1/3 of people in Miami-Dade County cannot or do not drive.
They deserve
a multi mobile experience on this major artery also known as 37th Ave.
Let’s fix
this.
The people
of Miami and Coral Gables deserve better.
NOW, YET ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BOUTIQUE HOTEL HAS OPENED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LITTLE HAVANA’S ART AND CULTURE
Fabulous art and wheelchair access at El Jardin Inn Miami.
“A boutique neighborhood hotel where
local art & modern hospitality meet in the heart of Little Havana”
A welcome addition to the community, a block from the heart of Calle Ocho, at 1568 SW 7th St.
https://www.eljardininn.com
CANNOT CREATE SUBSTANDARD ACCESS
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
This is what happens when lazy/ableist city officials allow a new business to gut an old building but NOT make the entrance accessible to people with disabilities.
The high threshold results
in no wheelchair access.
This is on
Giralda in Coral Gables – where the city spent millions creating a people-friendly
pedestrian district.
The city also could have raised the pavers to meet the threshold,
but it neglected that as well.
Nearly a year ago, I was promised this would be fixed.
Lack of
access means it is not friendly to people who use wheelchairs for mobility.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE KEY
This is an
outstanding example of Universal Design.
The high
design picnic tables at South Pointe Park all feature an area where a
wheelchair user can roll up to in comfort.
Kudos to
Miami Beach.
MIAMI'S NORTHEAST SECOND
AVENUE IS SUPER WIDE AND DANGEROUS – WHILE PEDSTRIAN MOBILTY IS IMPOSSIBLE: THIS IS UPSIDE DOWN
Miami’s Upper Buena Vista is exploding
with great restaurants & shops.
But a sidewalk less than 2 feet wide
means wheelchair users must go out into incredibly dangerous NE 2nd Ave.
The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County
MUST fix this on east side of NE 2nd Ave. at NE 49 St.
This is a screaming violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It defies every planning goal of having walkable, pedestrian friendly urban neighborhoods.
Many sidewalk sections -- why destroy independence for and rob dignity of people with disabilities -- exist in this redeveloping urban enclave.
ABLEISM
IN DESIGN = NO INDEPENDENCE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS
Dear public
servants: design for people with disabilities is NOT an onerous task to be
completed to check a “done” box & neglect.
Curb ramps
only work when they don’t perpetually flood, then destroy the motor and battery
of a wheelchair.
If
architects neglected roofs the way cities neglect mobility for people with
disabilities, only flimsy cardboard would protect people and their possessions
from wind and rain.
Ableism
destroys mobility for wheelchair users.
BEFORE ERECTING BARRIERS TO THEIR SAFE MOBILITY
I have criticized cities that put up
giant bollards or oversized planters to block terrorists from driving into a
street festival.
Those monstrosities endanger wheelchair users
who cannot see oncoming cars.
Coral Gables simply parked a pair of garbage
trucks.
Problem solved.
IS 100X MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING
HUMAN BEINGS FROM CRASHING CARS
Pedestrian epic fail recipe.
Put a streetlight
pole in the sidewalk, not behind it.
Create a
tripping hazard/uneven rolling surface for wheelchair users by putting the
utility box next to the pole in the sidewalk.
Make up for
the misdeed of blocking the sidewalk by adding a crappy extension that places
vulnerable pedestrians inches from deadly traffic.
Neglect the
shoddy sidewalk extension, so it crumbles – but never fix it.
Repeat…dozens
if not hundreds of times along your city’s should be walkable, historic main
street corridor.
WORK TIREDLESSLY TO VOTE THE ABLEIST OUT OF OFFICE.
Ask why they don’t boast of bare minimum:
Saving taxpayer dollars.
Constituent services.
Compliance with city laws.
Then vote them out!
TRULY ACCESSIBLE UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE CEILING
A pair of horribly steep/bumpy power
line covers on Ocean Drive at the Clevelander = the miserable minimum.
A world famous street in one of the
biggest tourist destinations in the U.S. with a pulsing tax base from all the
development – should NEVER settle for lousy mobility.
Miami Beach – fix this.
A THIRD OF A CENTURY AFTER THE PASSAGE OF
THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
There is no call button.
The Ocean Drive vacation rentals building could be a perfect location for wheelchair users to roll to many Miami Beach Attractions.
But the entrance is
locked.
This is what happens
when ADA is viewed as onerous instead of inclusive.
IN THE FAR BACK OF THE HOUSE – ENSURING SEATED PATRONS WILL HAVE THE WORST SIGHT LINES FOR EVERY CONCERT
The view is of a sea of standing
bodies as much as the stage.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN PROVES OUT TO BE COST EFFECTIVE EVERY TIME
Universal Design and wheelchair access are NOT expensive.
An apartment entrance that used to have a couple small steps down.
Now it has a gently graded accessible
concrete path.
With a tiny investment, everyone can
visit the building.
HUGE BUS SHELTER ADD BLOCKS VISION
RIGHT AT A SIDEWALK PINCH POINT
This may be the world’s worst giant
opaque advertising sign placement in history.
It creates a blind spot right at a
narrow pinch point of sidewalk.
A cyclist who couldn’t see me crashed
into me here on Alton Road just south of Lincoln Road.
This advertising revenue generator,
masquerading as a bus shelter, provides no vision — for northbound cyclist — of
what is coming southbound.
Miami Beach must fix this even if it’s
a state road.
A wheelchair user could get killed.
