4 ms·
The US is much better on this front than the UK. Not great for affording treatment, but there are curb cuts everywhere (in cities at least where there are sidew
by unpolloloco 6y ago
The US is much better on this front than the UK. Not great for affording treatment, but there are curb cuts everywhere (in cities at least where there are sidewalks) and very few businesses are not handicap accessible.
- kayodelycaon 6y agoThis is largely due to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessibility in the US is mandatory.
- pnw_hazor 6y agoAnd there a few law firms that specialize in shaking down cities across the US for large settlements. While ADA access is important, it is not often the most important thing. But the lawsuits are forcing $100+ million settlements that take any prioritization of resources out of the hands of local voters or local legislatures. Why spend $300million on sidewalks 'right now' when other services may be more effective (e.g., on demand shuttles, etc.)
- alistairSH 6y agoBut, an awful lot of accessibility is done simply to meet the letter of the law. Yes, there are curb cuts. But, the sidewalk only exists on one side of a 4-lane road. Or worse, the sidewalks jumps back and forth, forcing frequent road crossings. Or, there are curb cuts and sidewalks, but no crossing signal on a 40mph road (where actually flow is closer to 50mph). The buildings might be accessible, but you have to get across acres of parking lot and dodge distracted driers pulling in/out of spaces. Lots of room for improvement.
- baq 6y agoi heard a story from a friend - she wanted to walk to work for a difference (30 minute walk, a small city in california) and mid-way a sheriff pulled up to ask if everything is ok.
- marviio 6y agoI have the almost the same story. My brother-in-law studied in Dallas and walked from his dorm, over a grass plain close to a highway, to his friend. A police car stopped and questioned him. Apparently a suspicious behaviour.