PSA for anyone who doesn’t use a mobility aid

jumpingjacktrash:

kipplekipple:

Pavements are not designed with mobility aids in mind. It’s not even as simply as lowered curbs – it’s also about gnarly bits in the middle of the pavement, and about finding the bit of (lowered or not) curb where you can actually get on, and about avoiding the boneshakers that just increase your pain levels.

I see it a fair bit that people refuse to get out of my way, or are simply unaware that the bit of pavement they’re on is the bit that actually has a lowered curb. I see people parking in front of lowered curbs. I even see kind souls trying to get out of my way and unwittingly blocking my only viable path.

Just look down. When you see us, look at the road surface and try to imagine where you’d like to be if your feet were wheels. Okay? And then don’t be there.

It’s not a big thing. It’s okay that you never realised. But it would take the onus off of us to ask you to get out of the way – which is nerve-wracking for those of us with anxiety, and potentially dangerous when we end up unable to just get onto the pavement after crossing the road.

It’d be a lovely low-key way to be an ally.

Cool? Cool.

also please keep an eye out for canes and crutches, and make sure you don’t kick them or let your dog run into them. thanks.