If you build it
2024 12 30 | journal
It seems that no matter how many times I try to impress upon people the idea that building a society that benefits the disabled also benefits those who aren't (yet), people cannot get it out of their heads that anything related to the disabled is a separate issue.
Think about how these things not only benefit the disabled, but could also benefit others now and in the future.
- 15-minute cities
- wide aisles in stores, libraries, and other places
- ramping (curb cuts, etc.)
- quiet shopping hours in all retail facilities
- wider sidewalks that are kept clear of debris and obstructions
- bike lanes
- lower sinks in washrooms that include water and soap access at the front of the sink where it's actually reachable (which means reachable facilities for small children)
- wide-platform escalators
- eradication of hostile architecture that is currently used to make sure the poors/homeless don't sit anywhere, but which also means there's nowhere to sit for the disabled and elderly
- increased eco-friendly lighting at night time
- public transit with wider aisles and more space for mobility aids (which means more space for grocery buggies, baby strollers, etc.)
And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
I'm sure that even as a non-disabled person, you can see how at least some of these things would be useful to you as well even now, nevermind how useful they'll be when you're 80. These are the sorts of things that advocates mean when they talk about building a society with the disabled in mind - things that benefit them will benefit all.