Disabled riders need comprehensive public transportation planning

Disability Justice For All: Improving Accessibility in American Cities

Next City and Prism‘s series, “Disability Justice For All,” covers how people of color are leading a disability justice movement in American cities, making strides toward equity in housing, mobility, labor, health care, and beyond.

Improving Accessibility in Tukwila, Washington

Tanisha Sepulveda, a wheelchair user and disability justice advocate, noticed the lack of accessibility features around a community center in Tukwila, Washington. Despite being ADA compliant, the infrastructure surrounding the building did not meet the actual needs of people with disabilities. Sepulveda questioned how a community center could truly serve the neighborhood and people who cannot drive.

The Disability Mobility Initiative

In response to systemic issues faced by non-drivers in their communities, Disability Rights Washington launched the Disability Mobility Initiative (DMI) four years ago. DMI aims to raise awareness and advocate for improved accessibility for non-drivers. One of their initiatives is the “Week without Driving” challenge, which encourages participants to experience the challenges faced by non-drivers when accessing their communities through alternative transportation. The initiative has compiled stories from over 270 non-drivers in Washington, documenting the barriers they face.

Who are disabled non-drivers?

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there are 13.4 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 64 with self-reported travel-limiting disabilities. Only 1 in 5 of these individuals work full or part-time, compared to 3 out of 4 Americans without disabilities in the same age group. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these barriers, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, the aging population faces increased travel limitations due to disabilities.

The Intersection of Transit Access and Employment

Transportation, as the second biggest expense for low-to-moderate household budgets, poses challenges for people with disabilities in terms of employment access and income inequities. Public transit can be unreliable and time-consuming, impacting individuals’ ability to hold jobs. The research paper based on the Transportation Access StoryMap highlights the experiences of individuals who face difficulties in accessing employment opportunities due to transportation barriers.

The Switch to Green Infrastructure

The push for green infrastructure in Washington, particularly the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), can further enforce barriers of location, travel costs, and accessible infrastructure. While EVs can reduce emissions, they are often more costly and may require additional expenses for accessibility upgrades. Charging stations for EVs may also lack accessibility features.

Recommendations for an Accessible Transit System

The research paper concludes with recommendations for stakeholders to improve public transportation accessibility. It suggests that transportation agencies should include the experiences of non-drivers with disabilities in their data collection efforts. Advisory committees should compensate participants and ensure that non-drivers and people with disabilities are not excluded from decision-making processes. Transit agencies should prioritize connecting riders to key destinations, coordinate between jurisdictions to reduce transfer wait times, and improve tools for riders to anticipate bus arrivals. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in existing decision-making processes.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Specific Targets:

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

Indicators:

• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access, among the general and the most disadvantaged population).
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
– SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
– SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
– SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
– Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
– Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
– Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators are:
– Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
– Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: prismreports.org

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