PWDs Faced Challenges at Airports, but CARE Nigeria has Come up with Change Intervention

Soar Experiences, a New York-based nonprofit, provides free guided outdoor tours for people with limited mobility using Trackchairs, rugged, battery-powered all-terrain wheelchairs that can traverse hiking trails. The program has recently expanded to 15 public hikes across New York and Connecticut, helping people living with disabilities connect with both nature and each other.

NaviLens developed an app that scans codes posted at bus stops and train stations to provide real-time information via audio and vibration cues for people who are blind or have low vision. The NaviLens app provides information on when the next bus or train is coming, how far a user is from the nearest elevator, and other key details to make the transportation process smoother.

Several churches in North Central Ohio are successfully removing barriers for families with disabilities through specialized ministry programs. Champions Club at Storyside Church serves children with trained volunteers in sensory-friendly spaces adapted to each child's needs. Pure Joy at Ashland Grace Church uses a buddy system to serve 17+ participants with varying needs. And Wonderful Works Ministry extends this impact globally by providing free online coaching to churches worldwide, having reached 200 pastors.

The Alliance Center for Independence (ACI) started working with people who have disabilities to create better disaster preparedness measures that consider disabilities, ensuring support and shelter are accessible to anyone and everyone. ACI held an overnight shelter simulation exercise that allowed them to practice each step of an emergency shelter response with people who have disabilities to identify any areas that could be improved. These simulations have become a model for other counties across the state, inspiring more shelters to make improvements to their accessibility.

Under federal law, transit agencies are required to provide Call-A-Ride services within a certain distance of existing bus and rail routes to ensure transportation access for people with disabilities. But thanks to service cuts, labor shortages, and technical complications, users of St. Louis’ Call-A-Ride program say the service is not living up to its promises, with nearly a third of requested trips in January 2023 ultimately canceled.

“AGATEBE” was developed to help make it easier for the elderly and people with disabilities to access toilets. It is a portable, durable, low-cost toilet chair that is easier to use than traditional latrine pits. So far, more than 5,000 have been sold.

The Track Chair Program at Staunton State Park in Colorado allows people with disabilities to travel the hiking trails for free. The chairs have triangular treads, stabilizing hydraulics and suspension so they can traverse hills, rocks, and bumps easily.

To improve access to live theater for the Deaf community, the Omaha Community Playhouse stages an annual shadow-interpreted performance of "The Christmas Carol," in which ASL interpreters in costume "shadow" the actors on-stage.

Gallaudet University has interior design and architecture built with the needs and preferences of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in mind. By analyzing the effects of lighting, color, space, and other design principles emphatically, restaurants and other public spaces can be similarly accommodating for individuals with different hearing abilities.

When you step on an airplane, you might not be thinking about people who use wheelchairs, neither are airlines. People who need to use wheelchairs have faced a number of challenges on airplanes, like lost and damaged wheelchairs, not being able to use the restroom, and feeling dehumanized. Some people, are taking matters into their own hands.