The Arizona State Transportation Board finalized and approved the 2022-2026 Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Program with plans for major corridor improvements, pavement upgrades, and more for highways. The next five years will include highway improvements from widening highways to improving safety that will cost $1 billion annually.

An accessible world is crucial for people of all abilities to work, live, and play. However, even in the most progressive cities, people with disabilities struggle to live their lives, which only gets worse in the suburbs and rural areas.

Most people equate tourism to traveling, but the internet has offered a new possibility to wannabe travelers by bringing other countries to your living room and personal device. Companies are experimenting with their offerings and content to share with individuals. So is it possible to travel without traveling?

Digital tourism offers travelers the ability to get an often 360-degree digital tour of the place they want to see in real life without actually going. This is powerful because it opens up a world of possibilities for individuals with mobility issues.

Individuals with disabilities often are overlooked in the conversation about climate change, extreme disasters, and emergency solutions. Since disabilities can differ, individuals with disabilities can be hard to serve, but as climate change becomes an increasing problem, societies and government bodies need to consider these individuals as well.
 

A protected bicycle sidewalk is a pathway designated specifically for bikes, usually marked with signs, curbs, or posts to separate the bicycle lane from automobile traffic on the street. Bike-friendly routes create an urban environment that makes biking not only practical but safer too. A protected bicycle lane can cut down on commuter congestion and city pollution.

Private accessible transportation refers to transportation that caters to individuals with impairments. While not necessarily in the public sector, private transportation includes volunteer driver programs, para-transit services, and ride-shares which must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Since 1990, pedestrian fatalities have increased, and for pedestrians with disabilities, the risk is even higher. From 2007 to 2017, pedestrian deaths increased by 35%. When researchers studied the cities with the highest fatalities, they came across sidewalks in disrepair, lacking curb ramps, and poorly designed crosswalks.

While we have more work to be done to set up a protective infrastructure for pedestrians, there are a few simple driving techniques that will keep others safe.

Public transportation offers independence to individuals with low vision, providing opportunities for community involvement, job commute, and so much more. While public transportation offers independence, it can be difficult for individuals with low vision to navigate the transportation system. Any public transportation can be complicated to use--from finding the right route, boarding the correct bus, and exiting at the right stop.

Interior home accommodations for individuals with disabilities can create a more welcoming and accessible living experience for friends, family, and visitors who deal with disabilities. Depending on whether or not you have someone who needs the accommodations daily or if you have the occasional visitor with disabilities, these interior home accommodations can make a big difference.

Mainstream transportation infrastructure and public services are predominantly designed for individuals who do not use mobility devices to navigate life. As tech companies connect transportation to apps, the services still target individuals without mobility issues or mobility devices. While this is not a bad thing, cheaper and smarter transportation options should also be factored in for individuals with disabilities.