So I’m doing a sort of survey for a research project I’m working on regarding accessibility. Through experience and lots of digging, I’ve found that there are cities that are walkable and have tons of transit options, but very complicated to get around. (Boston, for instance.) So, there’s walkable (I.e. cities designed for pedestrians rather than cars). Then there’s accessible (automated pedestrian signals, tactile bumps, etc.) so I’m curious. What cities have you found easiest to navigate? It could be layout of said city, accessible crosswalks, whatever. In my research I’ve been hearing good things about places like Seattle, DC, even San Francisco. but I’m curious to hear your thoughts.
5hedoesntevengohere83 points4y ago
Denver is pretty spectacular, I'm not saying it is perfect, but there are a lot of advantages that have lead many VI people to live here.
downtown most of the crosswalks have automated voices that tell you to wait or walk, There are busses that run just about ever other street, almost like a grid system and the light rails are centralized and extremely usable. You can buy tickets with your mobile device so ticket machines aren't an issue.
rebel_134 [OP]1 points4y ago
Oh damn! That’s awesome! Also, is it true that Uber is offering free rides for the blind there? I fcould swear I saw that somewhere!
samarositz2 points3y ago
I live in Los Angeles and take several different modes of transit each day, Red line, Gold Line, Purple Line, Silver Line + buses and the heavy commuter trains. I don't think Los Angeles's reputation of being unfriendly to public transit is totally warranted provided you stick close to downtown. The biggest problem I've had is at transit centers because assigned beys for buses are not identifiable to me in any way. This wouldn't be a problem for someone who is partially sited though. There's no app for purchasing passes but there is a mobile friendly website that works well. Google Maps is a must for me for knowing departure times. One other thing, I would suggest getting to know the layout of Union Station. So many of the lines ultimately end up there. If anyone needs specific advice about navigating L.A. feel free to PM me. Also, I think it would be helpful for those of us who are very familiar with the transit systems to team up and put together some kind of resource. I feel as if it has taken me years to get this comfortable because I feel like I have had to figure it all out for myself.
CloudyBeep2 points4y ago
Sydney (Australia) is pretty easy to navigate, and it has great public transport.
rebel_134 [OP]2 points4y ago
I’d love to go to Australia someday :)
CassieBear992 points4y ago
I find NYC to be super easy to navigate if you don't mind the husle and busle, i use google maps and a earbud plus my cane
RJHand1 points4y ago
Just curious, what earbud do you use? I have airpods and often just put 1 in but would it be better to get one of those bone conducting ones instead of that?
CassieBear992 points4y ago
I use airpods
rebel_134 [OP]1 points4y ago
I have a pair but am always worried they’ll fall out lol!
CassieBear992 points4y ago
Haha they have ear hooks you can buy on amazon :)
RJHand1 points4y ago
Do you use both in at the same time when using gps? I always wondered if that would restrict hearing too much, but really they don't block out too much so maybe not.
CassieBear992 points4y ago
Just one in my left ear normally
tutzig1 points4y ago
I’m from baltimore Maryland, and studied abroad this past winter. In my time in london, i found it to be an excellent time! Especially in the accessibility and transportation front. I don’t know if it is because i was on the ugh of being in a new country, or because the city was that good, but either way it was a tremendous time. The Tube system, which is their subway, is very well setup and designed, and compared to the NYC subway and DC metro, i prefer the tube. You can use Apple Pay or a permanent card to get onto each train, and the app that the tube uses is fairly easy to navigate. The city has tube stations on what feels like every block, and even with that said, there are things within walking distance everywhere.
This high opinion could just be so high because i come from baltimore where our transportation is absolute shit.
rebel_134 [OP]2 points4y ago
Well, the US sucks in general when it comes to transit. So I doont blame ya lol!
RJHand1 points4y ago
Wait, in london you are required to pay on the tube? Not in toronto your not, I guess I just assumed it was the same everywhere. Maybe not though. What is it like in the states? I'll be living in boston for the next while as I'm going to school there, is it free for blind people? Or half price? Is it differen in every state?
tutzig2 points4y ago
Wait, what do you mean its free? Like do you guys have a train subway system> and is it completely free for everyone to ride whenever? Everywhere I’ve ever been you have to pay to ride. The New York City subway, the Washington DC metro and the London Tube you have to all pay for. You can get monthly passes for those, but most people just pay each ride at a time. I’m not however very familiar with Boston’s public transportation.
RJHand2 points4y ago
The subways and busses are free for blind people. Makes sense to me though in a way as we can't drive so being in cities would mean we'd have to take transit a lot. Although most people don't drive in the city anyways so there's that side of the argument too. There is also go transit however that is not, but if you have somebody going with you they would go free. Kind of like as if they were a guide I guess. Not sure why its like that but anyways.
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