Accessibility PSA
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My remarkably polite note to the asshole who keeps parking on the access area (the "parking space" marked off w diagonal lines) □♿
Ahhh! Look at these awesome post it notes I got! □ (I got 3 packs. New England, you've been warned) --Though it's also worth mentioning, those lined off areas also go up to curb cuts, so we can get on to the sidewalk. So even if they're not next to disability spaces as pictured, still don't park there
Fyi - this is an accessibility issue, and a safety issue. This mess clogging up the sidewalk forces people who cannot fit/navigate between the bins (such as wheelchair users) into the street. Walking in the street as an abled pedestrian isn't ideal, but it's not a huge issue. But for someone with reduced mobility/vision this can be a very dangerous situation. Obvs this isn't an isolated issue. This problem crops up in cities all over the place. So, hey city folk, clever folk, resourceful folk, can we work on finding a solution to this? What suggestions/ideas do you have? It's a tricky situation... but it's a real problem. xoxo, Your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
#AccessibilityPSA - hey Connecticut College Arboretum, this is an accessibility issue. Blocking the sidewalk makes it difficult/impossible for people with poor stability, using mobility aids, or with visual impairments to pass safely. While this isn't the worst placement as the ground next to this is pretty level and maintained, it is still a problem. And I'd have to double check, but I'm fairly certain this is an #ADA violation. It is awesome and important to encourage people to use environmentally friendly modes of transportation like bicycles, but it is equally important to make sure that spaces are accessible to everyone, most certainly including people with disabilities. Xoxo, your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
#AccessibilityPSA - this is a HUGE dick move. Do not do this! This truck was parked for *over 8 hours* on the access area between the only 4 disabled spaces in the parking lot, making them inaccessible/unusable. The owner(s) unloaded stuff (misc garbage) fully into the parking area of 2 of the spaces, & left the other two partially blocked (ie, still unusable) by the front of the truck. The woman accompanying the truck stood there and watched a disabled person (w tags) park half in the street bc the space was so obstructed (this is dangerous, esp for people w mobility issues!), & another woman in a power chair be unable to get back into her van bc of the lack of access. I spoke with the truck-woman, explained the situation as nicely as I could given my frustration - the accessibility issues, how this is inconsiderate, dangerous, and also quite illegal - and asked her to move the truck. She did so... once I informed her I had called the police (who were very nice and supportive of enforcing accessibility rights). Abled friends, I know parking can be a bitch. I know that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. I know you're "only gonna be a second," but listen... unless you have a disability placard actively on your dash/hanging from your mirror, or have permanent disability plates affixed to your vehicle, you may never ever ever park in a disabled spot. Everyone, disabled people included... never ever block the access areas! We've talked about this. So *sigh* so many times. And if you slip up, didn't know, whatever, and someone approaches you, just apologize and rectify the situation. Don't act entitled. We all make mistakes. Better yet, use your eyes and your brain. Look around. Be considerate. Be kind. It makes the world go 'round. Xoxo, Your friendly neighborhood disabled babe **edit** this pic was taken at 5p. By then (most of) the stuff had been picked up from the parking spaces, and the truck shifted forward slightly. Hence the car parked in the bottom left corner. What you can't see is it's still 1/3 in the street (danger, will robinson, danger!)
#AccessibilityPSA - this car is parked in a disabled spot. It has a disability placard hanging from the mirror. Can you spot the #accessibility issue? If you guessed that it's that they're parked half in the access area, you'd be correct! Even if you have a disability tag/placard, you should not ever (nor can you legally) block the access area. Not only does this potentially keep anyone in the disabled space on the other side of the access area from being able to transition in/out of their vehicle, it also blocks access to the building. Repeat after me, abled and disabled friends alike: "I solemnly swear not to block access areas." xoxo, your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
Yo New London City Hall & Ledgelight Health District, your elevator sign is a little bit #Ableist... Encouraging people to make healthy choices is super important, but assuming that everyone has the option to "Take the Stairs!" and just aren't doing so out of laziness is... insensitive at best. 20% of people are #disabled, which means taking the stairs may not be possible, as much as we might like to burn those extra 5x calories. Providing accessibility, but then shaming people for using it doesn't make a space accessible. I personally can take the stairs some days, but not always. On the days I can't, I already struggle with feeling incapable & like an imposition (bc accessibility is a joke). This definitely didn't make me feel better, or welcome in a public space. 20% of your tax payers are disabled people. Maybe we could do kinder things with their money? Also your elevator is terrifyingly claustrophobic. #PanicAttack
#AccessibilityPSA - as sweet of a bike as that is (not as sweet as mine, obviously □), it shouldn't be parked in the access area. Even though bikes are smaller than cars, & I'm sure this rider was trying to be courteous by not taking up a parking space, this is still an accessibility issue. It's nice that they parked pretty far over, making it easier for most people to get in/out of a vehicle in the disabled/accessible space, but alas, that entire access area is needed for someone with a wheelchair to transfer to/from a side loading van. Which is what the access area, in conjunction with the accessible space, is for. So even if you're a total badass biker dude/babe, & even if you think you're being courteous, please #DontBlockAccessAreas! xoxo, Your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
#AccessibilityPSA - ok, so this one is glaringly obvious by now, right? #DontBlockAccessAreas! That's right. Even if there's no parking available, you may never ever ever park in/block an access area. They are absolutely necessary for disabled people to be able to (safely) transfer in and out of their vehicles, especially side-loading vans. That's why you find them paired with disabled/accessible parking spots. They are not a parking spot. Not functionally, but also not legally. They are functionally and legally an extension of the disabled/accessible spaces, and so by law must *never* be blocked. You can be fined. You can be towed. Activists will leave passive aggressive (yet educational) sticky notes on your windows and plaster your picture on the internet (ta da!). Also, it's a super entitled, dick move. So please, one more time, loud and proud, #DontBlockAccessAreas! xoxo, your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
#AccessibilityPSA - so... this seems like a really thoughtful thing, but there are actually a lot of problems here. First of all, "handicap(ped)" is a slur, & is super derogatory and generally considered at best offputting and at worst really offensive by most of the disabled community. I know it's what's on the parking signs, but for real, don't ever use this word. Please and thank you. Second, this is not accessibility. By that I mean, not only is this potentially really unsafe (there's a building code in place for ramps for a reason), but it's also exclusionary and "othering." Also also, there isn't a way to ask for assistance without going inside. There are a few steps up to this door where the sign is. See the problem? Disabled people do actually exist independent of others, and (many) can go places without having to be accompanied. This setup removes autonomy from the disabled person, which is something we already really struggle with (but that's another post for another time). I suppose, if you are actually, absolutely incapable of putting in a permanent ramp, this is better than nothing, maybe? But it sure as heck is not a substitution for accessibility. For a permanent ramp. It's not an equivalency. It doesn't make your space accessible. It makes sure disabled people know they're an afterthought & an inconvenience, tbh. The goal of accessibility isn't just making sure people can somehow get into a space. It's creating a society where we can all exist equally and safely together. Disabled people aren't second class citizens, & equality means everyone. We're all in this together, after all. xoxo, your friendly neighborhood disabled babe
#AccessibilityPSA - trashcans blocking the sidewalk is definitely not a New London-specific issue. Here in the quaint seaside town of #MysticCT the same rules apply. When you (or the trash co) leave your trashcans all over the sidewalk, park with 2 tires (or more) on the sidewalk, or otherwise block it up, that impedes safe passage for folks. I mostly talk about how it effects disabled folks, but its important to note that accessibility isn't just a disability issue. Yes, situation like this could force a chair user (or others) into the road to pass which is a major danger, but also effects people with strollers, delivery folk, and so on. Let's keep all our people safe and maintain equality across the board. Keep your sidewalks clear! Because #AccessibilityMatters
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