Accessibility
The Universal Need for Better Sidewalks
The "8 Principles of Sidewalks" guide has been translated from Portuguese to English and is available to download.
$5.5 Billion Plan for More Elevators in the N.Y.C. Subway
The city’s subway system is lagging in station accessibility, but the MTA has a plan to add elevators to 70 stations.
For Wheelchair Users, L.A. Poses Many Hazards
A trip through the city of Los Angeles reveals the largely overlooked challenges that people with physical disabilities must overcome.
In D.C., Sidewalks Don’t Equal Walkability
In theory, sidewalks are what make cities walkable. But in Washington, D.C., many sidewalks are not accessible to the people who use them.
An App to Map the City's Most Accessible Routes
Google Maps is built for able-bodied people, but the AccessMap Seattle app is for everyone.
New York City Settles in 'Historic' ADA Lawsuit
A lawsuit has forced New York City to invest significant funds and people power to making the public realm more accessible to people with disabilities.
More Fourplexes Could Mean More Wheelchair Accessible Housing in Portland
Beyond adding more housing to the market, fourplexes could bring a lot more federally mandated wheelchair accessibility to Portland.
Oakland's Adaptive Bike Share Program
The pilot program seeks to make bike share more inclusive by providing bikes designed to make biking easy and accessible for disabled riders.
Google Doodle Commemorates Those Bumps on the Edge of the Transit Platform
Today's Google Doodle celebrates an important component of accessibility and mobility for the visually impaired.
Comic Reveals the Difficulties of Navigating the World With Special Needs
A comic strip called "Spinning Our Wheels' explores the difficulties of navigating Chicago with a special needs child.
Bikeshare Programs Lack Accessible Options
City bikeshare programs are failing to provide equal access for disabled residents, the Times reports.
Thumbs Down to Planning Rules of Thumb
In planning, a number of common principles of practice are widely accepted. However, an alternative set of guidelines can better serve as information and decision-making tools.
MTA Riders Using Wheelchairs Face Problems Even on Wheelchair Accessible Buses
It's not enough for buses to be equipped with lifts or unfolding ramps, bus drivers need to know how to operate the ramps and they need to work. Often they don't.
New York MTA Will Spend $600 Million on Disabled Access Improvements
New York's Transit system has long lacked facilities to allow wheelchair users access to many of their stations.
Phoenix Light Rail Stop Designed with Access in Mind by the People Who Need It
The non-profit Ability360 worked with members of its community, not only to advocate for a new light rail station, but to design a station that would fit the disabled community's needs.
Four Steps for Making Accessibility a Tangible Part of the Planning Process
Although there is a strong push for accessibility as a key metric in transportation and land use planning efforts, there is still a long way to go in putting theory and intentions into practice.
Accessibility Barriers Continue to Plague Some Metro Systems
Most metro systems in the United States tend to score high on accessibility, while European systems have mixed results.
Google Expands Wheelchair Access Mapping
Offering prizes and status, Google wants to motivate Maps users to add information about wheelchair accessibility.
Transportation for Everyone
An efficient and fair transportation system must serve diverse users. The "Transportation for Everyone" rating system evaluates transport system diversity and, therefore, its ability to serve all community members.
The Struggle for a Walkable Houston
Houston is fighting itself on walkability. While some build sidewalks and benches, parking minimums and outdated policies hold the city back.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
