Air Access by Priestmangoode
Air Access, a conceptual project designed by the design firm Priestmangoode, offers an interesting solution for how to improve accessibility on airplanes for people with mobility impairments. The design is made up of two elements; a detachable wheelchair that can transport passengers onto and off of the plane, and a secure fixed-frame aisle seat that […]
Hong Kong to Improve Accessibility to Pedestrian Subways
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced a plan to improve access to Hong Kong’s footbridges and pedestrian subways through a multi-million dollar plan to install elevators. Currently underway in 10 locations, the project is expected to spend HK$100M in its first year, eventually reaching HK$1B in three years. Two hundred twenty sites have been […]
New Metro SmarTrip Dispensers – Accessibility Fail?
Disability advocates are questioning the accessibility of the newly implemented SmarTrip card dispensers. Metro’s plan was to make the cards more accessible to disabled riders, however, the proposed locations at every rail station will not be immediately accessible to those who are blind or have limited vision. The machines will not have an audio feature, […]
Accessible Taxis Make Their Way Across the US Nation
Accessible taxis have been making headlines over the United States. There are fifteen new taxis that are now available to Maryland’s Prince George’s county wheelchair users – a milestone 25 years in the making. One advocate, PG county resident Ms. Patricia Sanders, has been fighting for more accessible transportation options in the southern Maryland area […]
Accessible Transportation for the 2012 London Games
Transport for London has launched the “spectator journey planner” online in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games. The spectator journey planner helps visitors use the public transportation system to get to Olympic venues. The spectator journey planner includes various accessibility options, and can plan a route around a traveler’s needs. Uses can request a journey with […]
Disabled Vets Get Hot Wheels Despite Their Wheelchairs
The minivan has long been the standard vehicle to adapt for wheelchair accessibility, because of its low height, large interior, and capacity to carry the extra weight of an electric wheelchair. According to USA Today, however, the young vets are prompting some rethinking within the accessible vehicle industry. These young vets, mostly men in their […]
Parking in Sweden – Laziness Not a Disability
In a passionate attempt to stop “lazy” people from parking in disabled parking spaces, members of a Swedish town’s Disability Council are seeking to post signs at each space. The signs will read, “Laziness is not a disability.” Unfortunately, due to the emotive nature of the sign, the town’s community development officer does not intend […]
NYC’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” Falls Short on Accessibility
On April 3rd, officials in New York City unveiled the “Taxi of Tomorrow,” which is scheduled to replaces all existing cabs in the Big Apple. The “Taxis of Tomorrow” does contain some accessibility features geared towards helping people with vision or hearing impairments, including braille writing identifying the name of the cab’s driver and a […]
Metro Barriers in D.C. Metropolitan Area
At the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society’s latest annual meeting in Las Vegas, a case was presented that found that the Washington, D.C. Metro system, although a work in progress, still has many barriers for handicapped riders. This is contrary to Metro spokesman Dan Stessel, who claimed that after pouring a significant amount of investments […]
Increased Wheelchair Accessible Cabs in Chicago This Year
With the addition of 47 taxis, the number of wheelchair accessible cabs has increased up to 50% in 2012 in the state of Chicago. In July of this year, a new ordinance will go into effect, mandating all cab companies to provide accessible cabs. An incentive to this ordinance is that the wheelchair accessible cabs […]