Berkeley Voted Most Accessible
The city of Berkeley has been named the most accessible city by the National Organization on Disability. The University Neighborhood Apartments stand out for NOD as the “first of its kind,” serving as affordable housing for the disabled.
Chicago and San Francisco also came in the top ten, but only Berkeley gets the top prize. The city will receive grants totalling $35,000 ($25K from UPS and $10K from Wal-Mart).
Does it strike anyone else as a bit odd that Berkeley (not to mention San Francisco) is so accessible to disabled people yet incredibly difficult to traverse, especially to the east? Clearly, though, the focus here isn’t walking and it’s really quite an inappropriate point, I admit. Mad props to the city for catering to the disabled’s needs. Their rights and difficulties are often neglected, and it shows what an open community Berkeley has in making them feel comfortable and welcome.
During Tom Bates’ first run for mayor I was volunteering with his campaign and while I was out precinct walking with him, one of the things I remember him mentioning was that Berkeley has always been a leader in the disability community. Specifically, Berkeley was the first city to mandate curb cuts on street corners so that anyone in a wheelchair could get around easier. It’s good to hear we are still out in front.
Comment by Andy R. — January 16, 2007 @ 8:10 am
I just got a 4 year extension to 2013!
Comment by tedford — January 16, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
And yet today, when walking through Sproul, the campus was littered with UC employees working for the Disabled Students’ Program protesting poor labor practices…
Comment by Anonymous — January 16, 2007 @ 2:01 pm