Empowering Individuals with Disabilities: The Importance of Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities already face struggles, stereotypes, and misconceptions regarding their unique situations. Whether someone has a clearly visible disability or an invisible one, having accessibility options in their lives is essential for living a better and more fulfilled life every single day.

Handicap Parking is Vital

One of the greatest barriers to independence for someone living with a disability is moving from their vehicle, through a busy parking lot, and to the front door. They have to navigate numerous roadblocks, including other cars, impatient drivers, snow, rain, sweltering sun, trash drifting across the parking lot, and, of course, the distance. 

Since people are creatures of habit and like to make things easier on themselves, most people will take the parking spots closest to the front door, regardless of their abilities. This makes sense for them, but when someone has a disability that makes their ability to do the same thing considerably more difficult, a front door parking spot is vital to their independence and health and welfare.

To make this scenario better for people living with a permanent or temporary disability, the answer is to obtain a handicap parking placard. And, luckily, it is easier than anyone may have expected. Start by learning about what medical conditions qualify for a handicap parking placard, and then begin the process of obtaining one online. Everything is taken care of right from home.

Barriers to Entry are Repairable

Once an individual with disabilities has their parking placard and transportation requirements squared away, the next inevitable hurdle is the barrier to entry. Access to stores, offices, and other buildings is often prohibitive for people with mobility issues.

Just getting to the front door from a handicap parking spot can prove difficult when there are curbs to climb, doors to open and keep open while moving through them, not to mention the sometimes inordinately heavy doors that are almost impossible for anyone to pull or push through.

The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA spells out what businesses can and should do to enable patrons and employees to access their establishments, regardless of their disability status. Things like the previously mentioned curb should be removed near handicap parking spots and near the front door, in addition to all entrances and exits, for clear access.

Next, doors should be installed with handicap-accessible electric options that are easily accessible to people in wheelchairs or standing upright. If a door is old, the possibility of a retrofit is an option for them to look into.

A point of order: When businesses create a more inclusive environment that allows people with and without disabilities to frequent their establishments without undue hindrances or burdens, it sends a message of care and respect. In addition, people living with conditions that prevent easy movement throughout their daily activities will appreciate the extra effort. Beyond respect for others, that is good public relations.

By working hard to ensure that all people have clear access to live their lives without the burdens of infrastructure barriers, those with disabilities will be more active participants in society and their own lives.