The Convenience of Accessibility: How Everyone Benefits From Accessible Solutions
Many people do not feel as strongly about accessibility as the people who are directly affected by it. It is probably fair to say that most people are indifferent to it, though there are some people who oppose the idea of making things accessible for disabled individuals if they believe it will affect their livelihood or lifestyle negatively. This article aims to outline the tangible benefits of having accessible solutions for everyone, even if one does not have a disability. It also seeks to put to rest any rumors and misnomers commonly associated with accessible solutions. Our hope is that anyone who was uncertain about accessibility before will find a new or renewed appreciation for it, and perhaps aid in accessibility advocacy efforts going forward.
Public Infrastructure
The Problem
Many countries in the world, including the United States of America, lack necessary infrastructure for blind people to get around[1]. A U.S. government census report shows that 3% of the U.S. is made up of Urban areas, while 97% of the total landmass is comprised of rural areas[2].
It is incredibly common for blind people to spend a majority of their lives in rural areas, due to the inability to leave. There are a myriad of factors that dictate why a blind person might be stuck in a rural area, including lack of a good support structure, as well as insufficient public transportation[3][4]. Clay County, North Carolina serves as a perfect example of this, as the one specialized transportation service that does exist refuses to take a person out of the county unless they are attending a medical appointment, or if another person is going to a medical appointment in the same area. This effectively means that, unless the disabled person in question has a good support structure, i.e., a family member or friend who is willing to take them out of the county if needed, there is little chance they will be able to find another way out on their own. That is, of course, assuming there is another way out that doesn't involve the help of a friend or family member.
- ↑ [From Via Mobility Services: How Many Americans Don’t Have Access to Accessible Transportation]
- ↑ [From U.S. Census Bureau: Rural America: Small Urban Areas Make Up Only 3% of US Land Area]
- ↑ [Transportation Patterns of Adults With Travel-Limiting Disabilities]
- ↑ [Rural and Tribal Transit: Federal Challenges and Programs | U.S. Government Accountability Office]
