Week 4: Inclusive Strides
Welcome to the fourth and final week of the WALK30 Challenge! We hope you've had the opportunity to walk, cycle, or use public transit to commute, contributing to reducing your carbon footprint. This week's theme is "Inclusive Strides," focusing on inclusion and accessibility.
Have you ever heard of “Universal Design”?
Who do you think about when you hear “a wheelchair user”?
Users with mobility aids can be children, adults, seniors present different ability ranges from athletes to those who require a full-time caregiver.
Individuals using assistive devices span various age groups, including children, adults, and seniors, showcasing a diverse range of abilities—from athletes to those who may need full-time assistance.
Universal design refers to the design principles that facilitate easy access, enabling individuals, even those with reduced mobility, communicative abilities, or understanding, to access and enjoy a place, product, or service freely and independently. It involves a social transformation, requiring the reconfiguration of environments seeking change and the implementation of new actions and strategies.
In cities, accessibility takes diverse forms, encompassing sidewalk curb ramps, audible street crossing signals, wheelchair ramps, automatic doors, and more. Accessibility is synonymous with independence! Every citizen has the right to actively participate in society and make decisions that impact their lives, including navigating their surroundings. Accessibility ensures inclusion and prevents discrimination; without it, people with disabilities may feel excluded from their communities.
Why is this important?
The prevalence of disabilities—physical, sensory, cognitive, or related to mental health—among Canadians is more common than one might realize. One in five (22%) Canadians aged 15 years and over, approximately 6.2 million individuals, has one or more disabilities. Whether or not you have a disability that limits your mobility, you may know someone who does.
Canada is undergoing demographic shifts with an aging population. In less than ten years, 25% of BC residents will be 65 or older, and many will require alternatives to driving for their mobility. Designing our cities and transportation infrastructure to ensure everyone can reach their destinations, regardless of ability or age, is crucial for fostering inclusion!
Ageing is simply another term for living. Having spaces that provide safety and comfort has contributed to a healthy lifestyle.
Ageing is just another word for living
Having spaces where we can be safe and comfortable contribute to healthy living throughout the years.
Is accessibility only important if you have a disability?
Absolutely not! We can all benefit from improved accessibility, even if we are able-bodied. Creating spaces that everyone can use opens up new opportunities for connecting and friendships with people of all abilities and backgrounds. Considering our Week 1 theme of Mindful Steps, active modes of transportation can significantly impact our mental well-being and sense of connection within our communities. Therefore, accessibility ensures that everyone can enjoy these benefits in the city, especially those who experience visual or physical disabilities.
While disabilities may seem distant to some, they are more common than we might realize. Think back to a time when you or a loved one got injured from a fall or accident, or consider what your ability to walk or run might look like in 30-50 years. "Simple" tasks like crossing the street, riding the bus, or using the sidewalk can become challenging. Also, not everyone can drive instead of walking to get places. In the US, for instance, only 60.4% of individuals with a disability drive, compared to 91.7% of people without disabilities. For individuals with mobility concerns, well-maintained and accessible streets are essential for convenient and fear-free navigation. We don't always need to wait until we age or have a physical disability to benefit from accessibility features; individuals with small children using strollers can also find them advantageous.
Navigational Safety: The Importance of Attention to Details
Unexpected detours or construction obstructions without an alternative route can be dangerous to navigate.
What does accessibility look like in your neighbourhood?
A comprehensive and accessible sidewalk network is essential for safe mobility without a vehicle. Beyond connecting people to their neighborhoods, transit systems, and businesses, sidewalks are crucial in promoting active transportation, supporting public health, and contributing to climate action.
Next time you go for a walk, pay attention to the accessibility features or their absence in your surroundings. Consider the following factors that may present challenges for mobility:
Sidewalks: Check if they are "incomplete," meaning they stop and start along the street, forcing pedestrians to share the road with cars.
Rocks and pebbles: Assess if the road's bumpiness would hinder using a rolling mobility aid.
Cracks in the sidewalk: Examine whether these could be dangerous for someone using a mobility aid or with limited vision.
Crosswalks: Check if the crossing buttons are audible and if there are clear markings for pedestrians.
Foliage: Observe if plants and trees spill onto the sidewalk, making it difficult to pass without walking on the street.
Also, take note of things that contribute to easier mobility:
Podotactile sidewalks: Notice any raised sidewalks with "bumpy" surfaces while walking.
Wide sidewalks: Evaluate if they can be comfortably used with a mobility device.
Street lighting: Ensure visibility when walking at night.
Ramps: Check for ramps where there are stairs, ensuring accessibility for those who cannot use stairs.
Public benches and resting places: Assess if there are spots for comfortable rests.
As you become more mindful of accessibility, you'll start noticing it (or its absence) everywhere. This week, we encourage you to be attentive during your daily walks, considering how you and others who may navigate differently might access the space.
What do you think makes transportation infrastructure accessible? What makes it difficult to get around, especially for those with mobility and/or sensory challenges? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram, and send us your photos!
It's about creating wonderful places that people love
If it's possible to design great streets where people enjoy spending time, why not build more of them?
Happy Walking!
