Knoxville Ranked Best US City for People With Disabilities

An analysis by Trajector Medical highlights the U.S. cities most accessible to people with disabilities, with Knoxville, Tennessee taking the top spot.

According to the ranking, the top performing cities “offer exceptional access to wheelchair-friendly rentals, accessible buildings, special education teachers, job opportunities, public transit and Medicare services.” By category, Atlanta ranks first in accessibility, Toledo, Ohio ranks first in affordability, and Cincinnati ranks first in healthcare.

Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, many public and private spaces in the United States continue to pose accessibility challenges to people with reduced mobility, hearing or vision impairment, or other disabilities. “Paralyzed Veterans of America reports that more than one-third of people with mobility disabilities miss important events and appointments due to access barriers.” Added challenges include high housing costs and limited access to well-paying jobs, wheelchair-friendly facilities and vehicles, specially trained teachers, and healthcare.

According to the analysis, “Adopting inclusive technologies and addressing less visible needs—like sensory and cognitive accommodation is also crucial to increasing accessibility for those with disabilities.”