As a disability advocate, I've always believed in the power of inclusive design and accessibility. Today, I find myself reflecting on these values, especially as we approach Thanksgiving—a time to be thankful, yet also a time to acknowledge the work that remains in creating truly accessible spaces.
Recently, my experience at a newly renovated local Starbucks brought these issues into sharp focus. Starbucks often promotes its Third Place Policy, emphasizing a welcoming environment for all. While the staff's helpfulness and welcoming nature are commendable, the reality of navigating an inaccessible space independently tells a different story.
The renovation, which I had hoped would improve accessibility, resulted in narrower pathways, fewer seating options for those with disabilities, and a lack of automatic door buttons. This isn't just about convenience; it's about the fundamental right to access public spaces independently.
This experience isn't isolated. It reflects a broader issue highlighted in a Toronto Star article, where a new bike lane was criticized for its inaccessibility, raising questions about who designs and approves such projects. Similarly, Mark Raymond, Jr. CEO of the Split Second Foundation, emphasizes in FacilitiesNet/NFMT that the ADA was a "touchdown," but the game is far from over. He stresses the importance of going beyond ADA compliance to truly understanding the disabled experience.
As we near Thanksgiving, I am reminded that while we should be thankful for those who champion accessibility, gratitude should not be the endpoint. Acknowledging our rights to accessible spaces is one thing; actively ensuring these spaces are truly accessible is another.
Organizations, especially those like Starbucks that pride themselves on being a 'Third Place,' must realize that an environment cannot be welcoming if it cannot be independently navigated by all. This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for progress made, but also commit to advocating for the changes still needed.
As we continue our journey towards a more inclusive world, let's remember that accessibility is not a privilege; it's a right. It's time for all organizations to listen, learn, and act.
‘Who designed this, who approved this?’ New Eglinton bike lane ‘illegal’, says lawyer and disability activist
The Power of Universal Design: A Look at Comcast's Innovative Remote
Illustration of Thomas Wlodkowski, VP of Accessibility at Comcast
Today as part of the ongoing celebration of Disability Pride Month, I want to spotlight a concept that's revolutionizing the way we think about accessibility: Universal Design. As a disability advocate, wheelchair user, service dog handler, and someone with a visual impairment, I've experienced firsthand the transformative power of Universal Design.
One of the most exciting examples of this is Comcast's Xfinity Large Button Voice Remote highlighted in a recent piece in Fast Company. This device, the brainchild of Thomas Wlodkowski, VP of Accessibility at Comcast, is the first remote built from the ground up with accessibility in mind. Wlodkowski, who has been blind since birth, has a simple yet powerful goal: “To make sure that the full menu of experiences within our entertainment service is available to as many customers as possible.”
Before this remote, Comcast customers seeking accessibility features were mailed a third-party device that was often seen as clunky and "medical." Wlodkowski knew there had to be a better way. He inspired his colleagues to create a device that was not only accessible but also intuitive and practical for all users.
The result? A sleek remote that’s 7 inches long and 2 inches wide, with larger buttons, bigger text, backlighting, an easier battery-change mechanism, built-in voice-command capability, and an instruction manual that speaks. The design process involved conducting focus group sessions with residents from New Horizons, a supported living facility in Connecticut for people with physical disabilities.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Comcast is now shipping about 2,000 units of the Large Button Voice Remote each week, up from 800 when the device first launched. The remote is free to all Comcast X1 and Flex customers, who can request it through Comcast’s Accessibility Support Center.
This remote is a testament to the potential of Universal Design in transforming the future of accessibility. It serves as a reminder that when we design with everyone in mind, we create a world that is more inclusive and equitable.
As we continue to celebrate Disability Pride Month, let's remember the power of Universal Design and continue to push for more accessible and inclusive designs in all aspects of our lives.
This Comcast exec did the impossible: He created a TV remote that’s actually well designed
Threads: A Missed Opportunity for Accessibility and Inclusion
A mobile phone with one iteration of the logo for the new social media app Threads.
As a disability advocate and a person with disabilities, I am disheartened to witness the launch of Meta's new social media platform, Threads, without the inclusion of basic accessibility features. This is especially disappointing as we celebrate Disability Pride Month.
Threads, which is being touted as a competitor to Twitter, seems to have missed the mark when it comes to accommodating users with disabilities. Chase DiBenedetto of Mashable writes, "in a strange step back for the tech giant, the hours-old platform...doesn't seem to accommodate those with disabilities well, offering few accessibility tools, customization options, or site policies on its accessibility features at large."
In 2023, launching a new product is not an excuse to ignore disability and treat those with accessibility needs as an afterthought. Threads is competing with a platform whose crumbling infrastructure is due in part to that same mindset following a takeover by Elon Musk.
As someone with a visual impairment, I rely heavily on assistive technology and accessibility tools to navigate the web. The lack of accessibility features in Threads is not just an oversight; it's a barrier that prevents individuals like me from participating in online conversations and communities. It's a far cry from Mark Zuckerberg's claim that the platform will "focus on kindness." You can't do that through exclusion.
Accessibility is not an afterthought; it is a fundamental aspect of design and development. The principle of Universal Design promotes environments and tools that prioritize use by all people without the need for specialized accommodations. Allon Mason CEO and founder of web accessibility company UserWay.org, rightly points out, "Digital platforms have a responsibility to be inclusive, and it is essential that accessibility is at the forefront of their design considerations."
Threads' lack of accessibility features is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for digital inclusion. It is imperative for social media platforms to recognize and address the diverse needs of all users, including those with disabilities.
As a community, we must hold these platforms accountable and advocate for the integration of accessibility features. It is not just about compliance; it is about creating an inclusive digital space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can communicate, connect, and contribute.
I urge Meta to take immediate steps to address the accessibility gaps in Threads and to engage with the disability community in the development and implementation of these features. Let's work together to ensure that social media is inclusive and accessible to all.
Threads gets a failing grade from advocates on accessible design
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Plane
A UK-based consortium has created a cabin concept that allows wheelchair users to use their own chair when flying on airlines
Greetings, fellow readers! I'm your friendly neighborhood wheelchair user, navigating the world with everyone’s favorite 70-pound Lab Retriever, Canine Companions® Pico. Over the near decade that we’ve been matched, we have a knack for finding ourselves in the most absurd situations.
Let's talk about flying. Not the Superman kind, but the "strapped into a metal tube hurtling through the sky" kind. It's a bit like a roller coaster, except the ride lasts for hours and there's no overpriced keepsake photo afterward proving you survived.
Now, imagine doing this while also wondering if your legs (aka my wheelchair) will still work when you land. It's like playing a game of "Wheelchair Roulette". The stakes? A cool $20,000. That's right, folks. My wheelchair costs more than a used car, and I'm entrusting it to the same people who routinely lose luggage on direct flights. In 2022 alone, 11,389 wheelchairs were mishandled by US airlines, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation February 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report.
But let's not forget my trusty sidekick, Pico. He's the Batman to my Robin, the peanut butter to my jelly, the...well, you get the idea. He's my rock, especially when turbulence hits and I'm clutching the armrests like I'm trying to strangle them. This is where the spasticity from CP can be extra fun.
Now, here's the good news. Delta Air Lines and Air 4 All are stepping up their game. They're developing a seat that allows us wheelchair users to stay in our chairs during the flight. Debuting on June 6 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, this prototype has been a longtime coming. As PriestmanGoode director Daniel MacInnes told Insider, "Offering equal access to comfort, safety, and dignity for all passengers has always been our objective for Air 4 All."
This is a game-changer, folks. No more playing "Wheelchair Roulette". No more being transferred from chair to chair like a game of musical chairs. Just me, my wheelchair, and my trusty canine sidekick, cruising at 35,000 feet.
So, here's to Delta, Air 4 All, and all the wheelchair users who dream of flying comfortably. Keep flying high, my friends. And remember, the sky's the limit...unless you're in an airplane. Then it's more like 35,000 feet.
Share your thoughts, experiences, or your favorite airplane food (if such a thing exists) in the comments below. Let's get the conversation rolling!