Disabilities

Elderly Walking

Designing for Dementia

Proponents of 'dementia design' call for inclusive design that centers the experience of people living with dementia and other disabilities that impact how they experience the urban environment.

March 29, 2022 - Being Patient

Back to School September 2020

Biden Administration Targets Five States that Ban School Mask Mandates

President Biden asked his education secretary to see what could be done about states that prohibit school districts from enacting CDC public health recommendations. Miguel Cardona responded by empowering his Office of Civil Rights to investigate.

September 7, 2021 - The New York Times

Agriculture

Federal Appeals Court Orders EPA to Ban Harmful Pesticide

The ruling puts another stain on former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt's legacy as it rebukes his denial of a petition to ban a pesticide that causes neurodevelopmental damage in children. Pruitt had rejected his own scientists' recommendation.

August 14, 2018 - The New York Times

Disabled Parking

How Texas Could Create Equity for the Disabled

Twenty-eight years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Texas has plenty of work to do if it's going to provide opportunity to Americans struggling with disabilities.

August 5, 2018 - The Dallas Morning News

Disable Access

Tech Partnerships Seek Greater Mobility for the Disabled

Tech-focused civic partnerships may be one way to unlock greater urban mobility for disabled people. Tools in the works include navigation apps with specialized sound cues and "smart canes" that interact with invisible paint.

March 29, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Lincoln Limos

Transportation Network Companies Increase Mobility for Underserved Communities

A recent op-ed posted here warned against new transportation technologies and instead encouraged cities to invest in public transit and walkable communities. However, transportation network companies claim to have increased transportation equity.

August 12, 2016 - The American Prospect

Senior Pedestrians

A Case for Integrating Housing and Healthcare Services

Connecting affordable housing and healthcare programs can improve both—especially for seniors and disabled people.

July 28, 2016 - CityLab

The Golden State of Disabled Drivers

"Something is wrong," proclaimed Los Angeles Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D), "when one in eight California drivers claims a disability." Gatto has introduced two bills: one to address disabled parking, the other could promote variable pricing of parking.

April 4, 2016 - Streetsblog California

Wheelchair Ramp

Finding Homes Harder For Those With Disabilities

A new study finds that the number of units available to those with a disability is insufficient to meet the growing needs of an aging population.

January 11, 2016 - CityLab

A Policy Change for Special Needs New Yorkers

The Brooklyn Development Center will close Dec. 31. The closure of the state facility is part of a long term goal of deinstitutionalizing the developmentally disabled and integrating them in the community in group homes.

February 2, 2015 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Ranking the Best and Worst Cities to Live and Work with Special Needs

WalletHub recently released the "2014 Best & Worst Cities for People with Disabilities" to highlight the economic power of providing employment opportunities and livable communities for people with special needs.

October 7, 2014 - WalletHub

Caltrans vs. Americans with Disabilities Act

Citing the estimated current cost of repairs as a partial reason for noncompliance with federal law, Caltrans heads to court against disability advocacy groups. The agency has failed to maintain or upgrade thousands of curbs and intersections.

September 18, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Countering the High Costs of Paratransit

A huge but largely under-noticed portion of public transit money goes to paratransit -- equipment and services to transport disabled people. Now, cheaper alternatives are emerging.

July 28, 2009 - Governing

L.I. Railroad Retirees May Be Abusing Their Benefits

After a New York Times article revealed an 'epidemic' of disability claims for retired employees of the Long Island Rail Road (the nation's largest commuter railroad), NY Governor Paterson announced he would have AG Cuomo launch an investigation.

September 23, 2008 - The New York Times

Disabled Protesters Take On HUD

About 500 disabled Americans have erected a tent city just outside of HUD's Washington, DC office. The group has staged the sit-in to protest housing costs that cannot be met with the incomes of many disabled citizens.

September 17, 2008 - Desert News

The Mentally Disabled in Public Spaces

A psychology site reviews Mental Health and Social Space: Towards Inclusionary Geographies, a book by Hester Parr that looks at new ideas in including (or excluding) people with mental disabilities from public spaces.

August 7, 2008 - Metapsychology.com

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.