CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 6

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

Blocking the ramp space for an accessible van causes people to miss doctor's appointments, be late for work, watch dairy items spoil -- waiting for you to move.

When you block the access aisle at an accessible space (with your motorcycle, sedan, etc) – you are breaking the law (and you clearly hate disabled people).

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 5

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

If you keep a dead family member's parking placard for ages…

Laughing as you get over on the rest of the world with your special VIP front row parking at the mall…

And your free on-street parking downtown…

You are breaking the law.

And you hate disabled people.

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 4

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

I don’t want to hear another architect (falsely) claim that universal design or ADA compliance caused a project to go over budget.

If you cannot design for all...or at least get a consultant with that expertise...why are you in a career that impacts the public realm for decades?

This is ableism.

It is as insidious and dangerous as sexism, racism, jingoism, homophobia and any other blanket hatred of diversity.

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 3

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

Architects, engineers and other designers must deal with: HVAC, life safety, flood plain, fire code, wind code and dozens of other essential elements.

How is it possible that accessibility is the only item that baffles them and kills their creativity?

It's total B.S.

Design for all should provide an endless fount of creativity.

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 2

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

The Liberty Bell rings for all -- not just the able-bodied

It is blatantly bigoted and worse to say people with disabilities (not the barrier-filled built environment) must be fixed. 

This would be like saying racism can be fixed by bleaching black people white. 

Or homophobia could e eradicated by shock therapy to make LGBTQ folks "straight." 

IT IS WRONG.

All of these ideas are insane.

It's the 21st century. 

Embrace diversity.

CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA -- Part 1

WITH A DOZEN DAYS OF RANTS ABOUT DISCRIMINATION

Insanely broken sidewalk and curb ramp -- Philadelphia

I'm gonna smack the next designer who tells me they are free to create barriers (steps, uneven entrances, worse) in the 21st century -- because some magic walking wheelchair or exoskeleton is days from "fixing" disabled people.

1. Those things cost $250K, they work about 2 hours, they have been supposedly ready for 20 years.

2. People with disabilities DO NOT need to be fixed.

THE ADA’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY IS COMING UP THIS SUMMER

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO OBSERVE IT?

The ADA impacts a wide array of federal civil rights, but its largest impact is on the built environment.

America is about diversity and we celebrate civil rights achievements.

Since the Americans with Disabilities Act is turning 30 this year, every city/non-profit/built environment organization is planning a big observance, right?

Wrong.

About the only thing I have found to praise so far is the New York City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects dedicating most of its quarterly publication to exploring aspects of accessibility.

"In 2020, the ADA celebrates its 30th Anniversary. At AIA New York, we would like to challenge our community to think more inclusively and creatively about how our projects can embrace and celebrate accessibility and inclusivity," the Letter from the Editor states in Oculus.

Most of the readers of my blog are urban designers, town planners, mobility engineers, landscape architects, architects, sustainability consultants and advocates for people with disabilities.

Please, demand that your professional organization stages a display, roundtable chat or other event the observes the ADA.

Make sure your local government is marking the 30th anniversary.

Ask that the professional publication of your society publish articles that explore the highs and lows of inclusive design.