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Sidewalks in disrepair create Barriers for People with Disabilities

A man in a wheelchair, seen from behind, waits at the edge of a crosswalk at night. He wears a light-colored hooded jacket. Several cars are parked across the crosswalk on the far side, blocking the path. — A man using a wheelchair prepares to cross a street at night, but several cars block the crosswalk on the far side, illustrating the everyday barriers that People with Disabilities face in navigating community spaces. Even if he could cross the street, the blocked curb cut would prevent him from getting up onto the sidewalk.

Angela Poe Russell’s reflection on the state of sidewalks in her community highlights how infrastructure affects People with Disabilities. Her personal experience, inspired by a friend's use of a wheelchair due to Multiple Sclerosis, reveals severe mobility barriers within neighborhoods often deemed "walkable." With only half of the sidewalks meeting ADA standards, many People with Disabilities face significant obstacles that prevent them from reaching their destinations, emphasizing the need to remove these barriers.

Angela also points out seasonal barriers like overgrown vegetation, which, while minor for some, pose significant problems for People with Disabilities using wheelchairs. This underscores the importance of maintaining clear, accessible paths to ensure full accessibility and inclusion.

Angela’s call to action is to inspect and remove any barriers on sidewalks. Taking immediate action on these problems is essential for enabling People with Disabilities to fully engage in their community.

Read the Full Article: Sidewalks in disrepair create Barriers for People with Disabilities
by: Angela Poe Russell

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Removing Barriers for People with Disabilities