Being a leader in accessibility issues is not an option, but rather a necessity for United Spinal Association. The individual shock many of us realized when we first left a VA or rehabilitation hospital only to realize we couldn’t get into our homes, or the shock that others experienced when they realized they couldn’t invite over their friend or neighbor in a wheelchair, is an ongoing challenge that United Spinal is conquering step by step.
With all of the strides we have made, we still need more education on the reality of accessibility. Each of us needs to become a champion and help empower architects, building inspectors, contractors, and the general public to take the corrective actions to make our lives more accessible. Accessibly is not just for our convenience. It makes good economic sense. When 12% of the public has mobility impairment, why would a home builder or business want to ignore that segment of the market?
Accessibility is every one’s responsibility. It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do; we have the responsibility to make life better for the next person. When you see a problem, don’t just look the other way. Take action. Help educate those who don’t understand the real needs of accessibility.
Those of us who are active wheelchair users frequently find ourselves in positions, in both the public and private sectors, that force us to find creative ways into locations. Recently, while making reservations at a restaurant, my wife asked if it was accessible. “Oh yes,” they told her, “in fact we had a group of people in wheelchairs here the other day.” When we got to the restaurant we discovered that it was up half a flight of stairs and the group that had been there previously had all been carried up the stairs. I spoke with a manager and explained what accessibility means.
Educating the general public about what is acceptable will always be difficult. United Spinal has always been a leading voice on accessibility issues. We continue to impact accessibility in a multitude of ways, from accessible housing to accessible work places, stadiums and theaters and, of course, travel. But it is also your responsibility to do more than test the system.
Self-advocacy is a practice we should all embrace. As an organization we can lead but we will always need ourmembership to take the grassroots action. The day-to-day interaction will always be our responsibility.
Clair Russell Hesselton, PhD
President
