I am taking a two day class in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. I oversee Federal, State and Local funded projects and this class was something that I could use as part of my "continuing education" for maintaining certain certifications. I had no way of anticipating how this class would change me in awareness of sidewalk designs for the disabilities of 20% of pedestrians. One out of five Americans has some type of disability.
As part of the class today, I was taken out on a public street and sent away in a wheelchair. No one was to assist me but I was observed from a distance. I absolutely couldn't believe all the obstacles that I encountered. From the sidewalk grades, narrow widths, street corners without ramps to pedestrian lights or push buttons that didn't work. After a few blocks, I was not only worn out physically but mentally as well.
This video was one used in class today and shows a few of the daily challenges faced by wheelchair users.
But that was just the beginning of my day. I was then blindfolded and given a white walking stick in a very busy urban area. I had someone in back of me to make sure I didn't get in trouble. The anxiety of not knowing your surroundings was horrifying. At least with the wheelchair you could see where you were going and if you ran into obstacles, you could figure out a way to get around them even if you had to backtrack. Not so being blind. At one busy intersection, there were at least three different types of audible sounds that I couldn't tell which was for me to walk and in which direction so I had to go to a different intersection to cross the street. I eventually had to give up during this exercise as I became quite confused as to my location.
The class today was provided to forty-six engineers, planners and managers. It was quite an eye opening experience for each of us. We will all be quite sensitive in the future to the needs of all pedestrians. On your route tomorrow, take notice of your neighborhood sidewalks and make your public officials aware of yours or your neighbor's needs.
I would be interested in knowing your experiences as I am sure others here would be also. It would be possible that I could share a few with the class tomorrow.