Archive

Illustration of a woman planning accessible participation, surrounded by stairs, transit, clocks, movable chairs, ramps, documents, and a balance scale.

A Matter of Degrees

Sometimes what needs to change is simple, even when asking for that change is not. A chair may need to be moved to create enough space at a table. A meeting may need to be held in a room that is easier to reach.

Watercolor illustration of a person seated at a desk on the phone, reviewing an architectural floor plan beside a computer and notebook.

What “Accessible” Leaves Unanswered

The restaurant has been chosen, the time nearly settled, and the reservation is ready to be made. The restaurant’s website describes the building as accessible, but it provides no details about the entrance, seating, or restrooms.

A narrow track crosses an empty pale landscape toward a closed blue door set in a distant wall.

The Second Request

A visitor who uses a wheelchair arrives early for an appointment and follows a sign directing visitors who need step-free access to a side entrance. The door is locked.

Watercolor city street with pedestrians, a curb ramp, transit stop, and a step-free building entrance marked in purple.

The ADA at 36: How Far Does Access Reach?

The promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is reflected in ordinary places. It can be seen in an accessible entrance, a government website that works with a screen reader, or medical equipment that allows a patient to receive a complete examination.

Abstract illustration of a seated figure reaching toward a shoe, with a thin gold line connecting the head, hand, and shoe.

The Story of a Shoe

My feet are swollen, and my work shoes will not go on. The laces hang loose on either side. Each tongue has been pulled forward and each opening stretched as wide as possible, but more room is not the answer.

Outdoor festival viewed from an accessible parking space, where a wheelchair user and a person with walking poles face a long grassy route to the event.

The Distance to the Door

Temperatures have pushed past 100 degrees this summer. For anyone who already hates the heat, even going out for lunch can feel like a questionable idea.

After the Glance

When someone notices my walking poles, what have they learned about me, and what story have they already begun to imagine? A visible disability can draw attention before a conversation begins.