1.New York Has a Great Subway, if You’re Not in a Wheelchair
The article is about a software engineer who got hit by a tree branch in New York and became partly paralyzed. He faced many problems getting around the city because many facilities were not built for wheelchair users. For example, subways were often not accessible, and elevators broke down a lot. This made him realize how important it is to make facilities easier for disabled people to use.
The article also talks about how things can change. In Boston, after some legal fights, the subway became much more wheelchair-friendly, proving that fighting for rights can make a big difference. The writer of the passage is eagerly calling for New York to follow the example.
It is undoubtedly clear that cities still have a long way to go to make life for disabled people better. It’s not just about being nice; it’s about making sure everyone can get around easily. When we make things better for disabled people, it makes life better for everyone.
2.Becky, Barbie’s friend who uses a wheelchair, was discontinued.
Mattel introduced “Share-a-Smile Becky,” a Barbie doll in a wheelchair, aiming for greater representation. Despite initial praise, the doll faced challenges, such as not fitting through the doors of the Barbie Dreamhouse or its elevator, highlighting a lack of accessibility. Over the years, Becky’s role evolved, but eventually, she was discontinued. Critics argue this reflects a broader social issue: rather than adapting environments to accommodate people with disabilities, the tendency is to exclude them. This situation highlights the need to shift from ‘fixing’ individuals to making societal structures more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
3. Ikea releases 3D-printable furniture hacks for people with disabilities
&4.Affordable and Accessible Design
Both of the passage discuss the innovative use of 3D printing to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The company thisAbles create affordable 3D printable modifications for furniture and household items. Their creative design of 3D-printed handles for kitchen appliances, doorknobs, and lamp switches is impressive. Just like its creative name, I believe the company is able to make home a better place for a lot of people with simple changes.
Prosthetics are a significant area where 3D printing has made a substantial impact, drastically reducing costs from up to $100,000 for traditional prosthetics to as little as $50 for a 3D printed version. This cost efficiency, coupled with the ability to easily customize and resize components, makes 3D printed prosthetics particularly beneficial for children.
Furthermore, the text touches on various 3D printed attachments available for everyday devices, such as larger zipper pulls and portable ramps, which enhance accessibility for people with mobility disabilities. The affordability and availability of 3D printers and materials encourage the creation of custom solutions, highlighting 3D printing’s role in advancing accessibility design and offering new possibilities for inclusion.
Using the Accessibility tools built into your operating system and mobile devices, complete a common task of your everyday student life using only the accessibility features on your laptop or mobile device.
I attempted to send a text message to my mother using only the accessibility features on my phone, reminiscent of a period when I relied heavily on these tools following eye surgery two years ago. During my recovery, I became proficient in navigating my phone with simple gestures—single-clicking to read, double-clicking to select, and using three fingers to scroll. However, I had not tackled typing, which proved to be quite challenging. The phone’s keyboard, not designed with visual impairment in mind, made typing an extremely hard task. Consequently, I resorted to sending voice messages instead, finding it a more viable option.