Ario’s Post

Disabilities can be "invisible" but never insignificant. For months a loved one hasn't been able to lead the life he was used to. On the outside looking as fit and healthy as usual, but on the inside having major difficulties breathing. Walking to the kitchen became a challenge, and when achieved, a major celebration. At times going out (even the front sidewalk) was out of the picture but thanks to an e-scooter it has slowly become the highlight of the week. It's incredible how in such situations we become so resourceful. The role this "mobility device" has played in the physical, mental and emotional recovery has been significant. And I'm sure there are a thousand stories like this, they just seem to be "invisible". More research on this "resourcefulness" is needed. A call out to all incredible researchers looking into this topic to continue such amazing work Carlos Iván Rivera Gonzalez Lisa L L. Jennie Oxley Selby Coxon Robbie Napper Liton Kamruzzaman Ben Beck Lauren Pearson Juan Pablo Bocarejo Alvaro Rodriguez-Valencia Luis A. Guzman Daniel Oviedo Valentina Montoya Robledo and many more. #roadsafety #micromobility #disability #equity

Introducing another new hill I'm willing to die on, is the need to prioritize our parking bays for people who need it the most. It's perplexing to see office buildings, and malls prioritizing EV charging bays over other users such as those with physical disabilities, elderly, people with children, and other groups who would be safer if they're given parking bays which are nearer to the entrance. Especially given the price of EVs are still unaffordable for most Malaysians today, it seems that the needs of the rich are prioritized over those who need it the most. #Accessibility #Mobility #Parking #EV #Malaysia

E for Equity? Read more about how shared e-bikes and e-scooters can provide access for people on low incomes, and even some people with a disability. https://lnkd.in/g8Wd-As7

Why #Accessibility for Disabled Drivers Matters Now More Than Ever In a recent Dublin City Council meeting, significant revisions were announced to the proposed Dublin City Centre Transport Plan following input from Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs). These changes underscore a crucial aspect often overlooked in urban planning: accessibility for disabled drivers and Blue Badge holders. While Dublin City Council acknowledges the importance of maximizing accessibility for general traffic, including Blue Badge holders, by itself, this does not adequately address the equity needed for disabled individuals who rely on accessible travel and parking spaces. Equity demands proactive measures that recognize the unique needs of disabled drivers to ensure they are not disproportionately affected by restrictions or changes in urban planning. Policies need to go beyond general accommodations and safeguard the mobility and rights of disabled individuals, ensuring they can navigate and participate fully in city life without unnecessary barriers. For many individuals with disabilities, cars aren't just a convenience but a lifeline—an extension of themselves that enables essential travel and independence. The ability to drive represents far more than mere mobility; it signifies autonomy, access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and participation in community life.  This issue comes at a very significant time for the Access Earth team, as we’ve been diligently working in the background on a project aimed at addressing the specific challenges faced by Blue Badge holders and ensuring accessible spaces are utilised by those who truly need them.  This initiative is a crucial step towards promoting equity and inclusivity in urban planning. We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting project. In the meantime, like this post, follow our page or connect with our CEO, Matt McCann. Your support and interest are invaluable as we strive to make meaningful impact. Dublin City Council | Disabled Drivers Association | Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council | Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) | Enable Ireland | Disability Federation of Ireland #AccessibleDesign #InclusiveTransport #DisabledDrivers #UrbanPlanning #AccessibilityMatters #BlueBadge #EquityInTransport #DublinCity #InclusiveInnovation #AccessibilityForAll #TransportEquity #DisabilityInclusion #SmartCities #Dublin https://lnkd.in/e9ywpkQr

If Te Huia, the train service connecting Hamilton and Auckland, is stopped by the government then those who cannot drive, do not own a car, or do not want to drive, will have to catch a bus. That is at least third of the population if counting young people, older people, those with disabilities, cyclists wanting to ride the great cycleways of the Waikato and those on low incomes wanting to connect with friends and family. But there are lots of things you can do on a train that are difficult, or impossible, on a bus. These include: Easily getting on and off the service for those with mobility challenges Walking to an onboard cafe for a coffee and sandwich Using onboard, disabled friendly toilets Using onboard wifi working on your computer at a table For a group taking their bikes - even getting one bike on a bus can be impossible. Avoiding motorway congestion Trains help create an inclusive society, support local tourism, save creating more potholes, and help reduce transport emissions.

A great survey in NZ by Neuron Mobility 🛴 74% of those surveyed support compulsory helmets 🛴 37% of riders are female - 70% of females aged 18-34 🛴 52% of trips resulted in a purchase from a local business 🛴 55% of trips are commutes to work or study 🛴 36% of trips replace car journeys 🛴 6% of riders have a disability or mobility impairment Krystyna Weston 🛴 $13,500 spent at local businesses/year per scooter deployed Full survey available here: https://lnkd.in/geW4H4q2 #scooters #micromobility #newzealand #nz #transportation #newmobility

Disabled people will be asked to shape the future of #sustainable forms of shared transport such as #escooters and shared bikes, as part of a #groundbreaking new project. A study, led by the UK’s national shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (#CoMoUK), will investigate how such services can be made more inclusive. The project has been commissioned by the Motability Foundation and will be delivered by the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC). Last year another Motability survey, on the accessibility of transport generally, concluded that #micromobility presents opportunities in accessible travel but the voices of disabled people need to be included at the design stage of future projects. It was also found that disabled people make 38% fewer journeys than non-disabled people, a figure that has remained consistent for ten years. The new study aims to explore the experiences of disabled people when engaging with existing micromobility services and the challenges they face when accessing them. Futhermore, it will look at how micromobility services can be more inclusive and how the voices of disabled people can be heard in future decision making. The project will run for six month and incorporate an evidence review, a survey of #disabled people, a series of focus groups and engagement with public and private sector stakeholders, before the publication of a final report. Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: ‘We are excited to be involved in this cutting-edge research, which will give disabled people a voice in shaping the future of how we all travel. ‘We know from our previous work that micromobility schemes such as e-scooters and bike sharing have the potential to be transformative, improving people’s health at the same time as cutting road #congestion and #airpollution and freeing up space in cities. ‘It is crucial that nobody is left behind as we move towards these sustainable forms of transport, which must be made as accessible as possible at the design stage. ‘We hope the findings of this research will help to inform the work of transport providers and policymakers in the years to come.” Gordon McCullough, CEO of RiDC, said: ‘By working with our consumer panel of over 4,000 disabled and older people, we will gain insight into the experiences of disabled people using this type of transport, and what needs to be done to ensure that it is accessible for everyone. ‘These transport options represent relatively low-cost means of independent travel but only if they’re designed to be inclusive. As their availability grows, it’s vital that disabled and older people’s voices are included, and both the vehicles and the booking and payment systems are usable by everyone. Afterall, when you design with disabled people in mind, you create a product or system that works for everyone.’ Photo: RiDC

While written in jest, are vocal minorities stopping progress in active transport? Melbourne’s Caretaker Lord Mayor Nick Reece, has recently led the withdrawal of Melbourne from shared scooter trials and wants to reallocate some bike lanes to cars.  When Melbourne’s population is forecast to grow by 60% to 8 million by 2050, the Caretaker’s strategy does not make sense. Melbourne’s roads are already clogged, and there is no room for 60% more cars.  To make Melbourne marvellous again and regain its crown as the world’s most liveable city, it must embrace people, community, active transport and shared micromobility. Cars will not drive Melbourne’s future. Krystyna Weston Sara Stace The Chaser City of Melbourne Committee for Melbourne Department of Transport and Planning Bicycle Network Michael Langdon Peter Bourke Stephen Hodge Neuron Mobility Lime Good Cycles

The E in E-Scooter and E-Bike Stands for #Equity... A study across 🇦🇺, 🇳🇿 & 🇺🇸 investigated the impact of subsidised rides o low-income users, (specifically Lime Access). The findings will not surprise people in industry, but should make city officials take note: 💲 subsidised riders are 5x more likely to take an electric 🚲 or 🛴 for daily travel. 🚍 qualitative data detailed how ⚡️ #micromobility vehicles can solve areas underserved by #publictransport ♿️ it enabled people with both visibile & non-visible disabilities to become mobile again, in some cases where a 🚘 couldn't Shared 🚲 or 🛴 have the ability to benefit vulnerable groups with the right frameworks and incentives in place, creating more #equitable transport systems. Shared micromobility has always been for the many, not the few! 🙌🏻 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dVbizeck

Empowering Mobility: On-Demand Wheelchair Accessible Transit in Canadian Communities ♿🚐 As Canadian cities and towns strive to become more inclusive and accessible, our public transit systems must evolve too. Traditional cutaway buses have served us well, but it's time to move towards a more adaptive and inclusive solution: On-Demand Wheelchair Accessible Transit. Here’s why this innovative approach is a game-changer: 1. Personalized Service: On-Demand Transit allows for customized routing and scheduling, ensuring that individuals with mobility challenges receive prompt and direct transportation, tailored to their specific needs. 2. Enhanced Accessibility: Modern On-Demand Transit vehicles are designed with state-of-the-art accessibility features, providing a comfortable and dignified travel experience for wheelchair users. 3. Reduced Wait Times: Unlike fixed-route buses, On-Demand services minimize wait times by picking up passengers closer to their location and providing more direct routes to their destinations. 4. Community Integration: By offering flexible and reliable transportation options, On-Demand Transit fosters greater independence and integration for individuals with disabilities within their communities. 5. Cost and Resource Efficiency: Optimizing routes and services based on real-time demand reduces operational costs and environmental impact, making it a sustainable choice for cities and towns. Let’s champion a future where mobility and accessibility are not just aspirations, but realities for all Canadians. Together, we can build smarter, more inclusive communities. 🌟 Curious about how on-demand transit could benefit your community? Share your thoughts and experiences below! 👇 MoveMobility #InclusiveTransit #MobilityForAll #OnDemandTransit #AccessibleTransportation #SmartCities #CanadaMoves #WheelchairVan #CanadianTransit #CanadianCities