15-Minute Cities And How They Help The Disabled
Accessibility is a major issue for the disabled population. In last week's edition of the Missive, we discussed some common barriers, such as those that deal with mobility and sensory overload.
We talked about how modern homes, workplaces and public spaces are often not built with the disabled in mind, and how it can be difficult to navigate a world that simply doesn't treat you as equal.
This week, I wanted to retread some old ground. I've talked about the concept of a 15-minute city before, or a 5-minute city, and all of the ways that they would help mitigate the problems of everyday life.
This is doubly true for those of us with disabilities.
If you're unfamiliar with the concept, the basic idea is simple; imagine everything you might need to live, built into a small block where it is easily reached within a 15-minute walk from your home.
No need for a car, no need for public transportation to get around. Grocery store, hospital, workplace, pharmacy, recreational spaces and food– all within 15 minutes of your front door.
No more hour-long commutes to and from work, no more fighting over parking spaces. Less congestion on the roads, less pollution, easier for everyone across the board.
Especially disabled people, who seriously struggle with getting around in a world full of selfish pricks.
Imagine never needing to fight over a disabled parking space again. The dream.
The way things are now, I know disabled people who don't really go out unless they absolutely have to. Getting into the car, driving–if they even have a license–and finding a parking space can be a hassle. Shopping for groceries is usually done online via delivery.
Imagine how much easier it would be to go out and have fun if all you need to do is roll into the elevator, down the outdoor ramp and make your way down the street or across the courtyard. You don't even need to worry about a designated driver; just ensure you and your friends walk home together.
That said, there are a lot of myths about this. There are people who think that disabled people would be hampered by 15-minute cities, not helped by them. Protests are usually based in the idea that in order to live in a 15-minute city you need to be physically able to walk or bike, and therefore the concept is ableist.
Let's think about this logic for a second, though.
The idea of a 15-minute city is based on careful and well-planned construction. The whole concept is intended to maximize mobility and access for everyone.
Why would you assume that carefully thought out planning wouldn't include disability access?
The idea that this is an ableist concept is based on the assumption that disabled people can't get around without cars. But why would that be the case? I know my friends in wheelchairs definitely prefer being able to roll themselves down the road or onto a public bus rather than strap themselves into a personal vehicle.
Not to mention, custom vehicles built for wheelchairs are ridiculously expensive and difficult to get.
On top of that, what about people who can't drive? Epileptic people who aren't able to get a license because they could go into a seizure behind the wheel. The blind, who physically cannot read road signs or lights. People with ADHD who have trouble focusing, and might not feel safe behind the wheel.
It took me a very long time to get my license because I was terrified of sensory overload while driving, and I still don't take the car very often. Being able to walk everywhere I need to go is a dream scenario for me, even with my arthritis.
For longer trips, a well-funded and maintained system of public transit would cover the problem of people not having cars. Frankly, in the age of climate change we should be emphasizing that anyway.
There are many reasons why the 15-minute city model ought to be adapted. The more accessibility we have, the better off we'll all be.
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