In many online discussions, I have seen a very interesting and disturbing trend when disabled people bring up the lack of accessibility in venues, parking lots, buildings, etc. The discussions never take off until someone mentions how they can help ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE. It’s all very ho-hum and lol a disabled person can’t get on/off the sidewalk. But mention strollers or delivery trucks? And everyone’s excited, throwing out ideas on how to make things more accessible.
I am completely unnerved by this. Why must strollers and delivery trucks be mentioned? Shouldn’t the fact that HUMAN BEINGS are being institutionally discriminated against be more important than yet another way for able-bodied people to get around? Or are we still forgetting that disabled people are human too?
I lean towards the idea that people are only willing to put in curb cuts because it will also help able-bodied people. ‘But wait!’ you say. ‘Curb cuts are mandated by the ADA, so they’re following the law.’ Well, one, I’m not going to congratulate someone for following the law. I stopped at red lights today. Can I get a cookie for that? But two, if people were all following the ADA, why are disabled people often not accommodated in school? Why are there so few handicap accessible bathrooms? And more importantly, how come fire escape plans always say use the stairs instead of the elevator, with no mention of what to do if you can’t use the stairs? Continue reading How Can We Help You?
