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ACCESSIBILITY IN THE
CITY OF HOUSTON
By: Adele Bosquez, SPT July 21,2009
Thoughts on Accessibility
“While we look for a cure, we really want to
help people living in the here and now. It‟s
really our responsibility to think, „What if it was
me in the wheelchair, wouldn‟t I want the
best?‟ “
~Christopher Reeve
Developing a Sensitive Eye
ADA compliance ≠ accessibility
Clean sidewalks
Clear ramps
Even surface transitions
Signage clearly identifying accessible entrances
Surfaces of ramps identified by color change
Intersections with curb cuts on each corner
Barrier-free paths
Light and other pole placement considerations
Efficiency of movement
Who Needs Accessibility?
The 9 year-old with Cerebral Palsy
The 13 year-old with a broken leg
The 18 year-old with a new Spinal Cord Injury
The 23 year-old recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis
The 45 year-old battling fatigue during illness and treatment
The 54 year-old with arthritis
The 78 year-old with balance impairments
Our parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors
One day….maybe one of us?
Following are some examples of
accessibility concerns.
Around Houston
77030 (District C & D)
The Texas Medical Center
TMC: Fannin and Holcombe
A “ramp to nowhere” lead this individual into the intersection, but he is then trapped in traffic without a curb cut at his destination.
Will he make it before the light changes?
TMC: Holcombe and Bertner
The
uncovered
hole limited
this
individual‟s
ability to
maneuver
around the
VERY tight
spot left for
him to
navigate.
TMC: Braeswood and Holcombe
The Good: A
nice curb cut
leading the
pedestrian
into
crosswalks
for either
direction.
TMC: Braeswood and Holcombe
The Bad:
The “one-
way” curb
cut forces
the user to
enter
oncoming
traffic to
navigate the
intersection.
Municipal Facilities
Municipal Court 77002 (I,D,C)
Municipal
Court
entrance
with nine 7”
steps for
entry.
Where is the
ramp for
entry?
Municipal Court: Restricted Access
(cont.)
Restricted
Access
signs guard
the parking
lot where
ramps and
additional
handicapped
parking can
be found.
Municipal Court: Restricted Access
(cont.)
A nice accessible entrance and additional parking is located in this restricted area.
Where is the sign by the entrance referring people to this location?
Memorial Park: Tennis Center
77007 (G)
An uneven
entrance
and
uncovered
pipe under
the sink
make this
restroom
facility less
than ideal.
Common Concerns
Ramps to Nowhere 77030 (D)
6700 Fannin
Ramps to Nowhere 77018 (B)
Rosslyn and
43rd
One very
nice curb cut
that leads
into a curb.
Ramps with Obstacles 77030 (D)
Moursund
and
Braeswood
Obstacles
on the
incline make
navigation
difficult.
Ramps with Obstacles 77021 (D)
Near 5400
MLK
Poles at the
top of the
ramp make
this corner
difficult to
negotiate.
Ramps with Obstacles 77098 (G)
Left:
Kirby and
Westheimer
Right:
Shepherd
and
Westheimer
Ramps with Obstacles 77087 (I)
Colgate and
Park Place
Light pole in
the middle of
ramp.
Ramps with Obstacles 77087 (I)
Telephone
Rd and Park
Place
Ramp
blocked.
Sidewalks with Obstacles
77021 (I)
Near 5400
MLK
Ramps with Obstacles 77005 (C)
A ramp
leading to
two parking
spots.
Uneven Ramps 77007 (G)
Wescott and
Memorial
Overgrown Areas 77027 (C)
Richmond
and Weslyan
Overgrown Areas 77021 (D)
5400 MLK
A 9 inch
uncovered
utility box in
middle of
sidewalk
with metal
pole
protruding.
Overgrown Areas 77061 (E)
Telephone
Road
Uneven Transitions 77027 (C)
Cummins and Richmond
Narrow and uneven area does not allow the second wheel to touch the surface. She is stuck with a wheel spinning in air.
Uneven Transitions 77027 (C)
Although
well
designed
and
intentioned,
the median
concrete
slab has
settled
creating an
uneven
surface.
Intersections without ramps
77006 (C & D)
Montrose
and Welch
Intersections without ramps
77007 (G)
Shepherd
and
Memorial
What can city leaders do to encourage
change in our “disability-friendly” city?
A Local Restaurant
Men‟s Bathroom
*No
handicapped
stall
*Pipes under
sink not
covered
*No Grab
Bars
Women‟s Bathroom
*Narrow
hallway
*No
handicapped
stall
*No grab
bars
*Entry not
possible due
to 90 degree
turn
To access the “accessible” bathroom I had to go outside, down the ramp, through the garbage area, through the storeroom, past the ice machine, past the hot water heater, and through 2 NARROW doors that I had to pull myself through. Once there, I discovered the bathroom was in fact not accessible, as there were no grab bars.
Over the river and through the woods…to the
bathroom we shall go!
What can city leaders do to encourage
change in our “disability-friendly” city?
A Local Shopping Center
Navigating a Shopping Center
This outdoor
shopping
center was
largely
inaccessible.
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act
$489 million infused into the Houston region
for transportation work
Construction is coming to a road near
you…but is a ramp?
While it may not be realistic to ask that every
sidewalk in Houston be rebuilt, this is the
perfect opportunity to build with accessibility in
mind!
Built before 1990…Who Cares?
When we, as a society, allow this excuse to
justify lower standards of accessibility, we
allow a soft bigotry to permeate our society.
We send a message to those who depend on
these accommodations that we value their
time, their access, and their energy less than
our own.
Over dramatic? Or, simply…the truth?
For the next week, be aware. Stop and think. Look around. Are the facilities that you utilize accessible? What obstacles would you face? How would youproblem solve? While we can never fully imitate or appreciate the challenges that mobility impairments bring, this can assist in highlighting the importance of accessibility for us all.
Is your day accessible?
Contact Information
Please contact me if you would like further
information or assistance.
Adele Bosquez, District D Resident
