You really don’t realize how much had been done to support people who have difficulties walking, hearing, etc. until you travel in Europe or Asia with someone who needs assistance. Walkable cities are great if you can walk, but you don’t notice the lack of wheelchair ramps unless you need them yourself or are traveling with someone who needs them.
As an American, the ADA is definitely something to be proud of.
Still interesting to see how it is implemented in neighborhoods and buildings that are over 150 years old. I think the Smithsonian museums in our capital are actually the most interesting examples, because many are old buildings whose historical character were preserved, but where wheelchair ramps, railings, and elevators were tastefully and functionally installed many decades or more than a century after the building was originally constructed.
And perhaps the best thing about the ADA is the sidewalk requirements. It doesn’t much matter why a sidewalk developed a raised crack when the ADA requires that it be fixed.
I’m not even disabled, but I’ve pushed baby strollers in different cities (including outside the US) enough to realize how nice it is to be in a city where all the sidewalks and public buildings are ADA compliant.
True, but ignoring those old buildings, how many countries in Europe and Asia have laws like the ADA for new buildings? And sidewalks and parking lots?
Almost all of them? Why are you americans like this? Do you think that places outside of the usa don’t have accessible new buildings? Do you think Canada does not have similar rules or that places that have a robust welfare system like Denmark just flip the bird to disabled people?
This article makes it sound like Denmark does, on occasion, flip the bird to disabled people. Can you share any counter-evidence that shows Denmark has a law that’s equivalent to the ADA?
The core issue is political and structural. Responsibility for disability policy is spread across multiple ministries with no coordination, long-term vision, or accountability mechanisms. People with disabilities and their families navigate a patchwork system that often fails to meet even basic needs.
This affects every aspect of daily life. Healthcare access remains unequal. Public transport and housing are not fully accessible. Participation in cultural and democratic life, including voting, is limited for too many. Even Denmark’s emergency preparedness plans overlook people with disabilities, leaving those who rely on electricity, medicine, or personal assistance uncertain about how they would manage during a crisis.
Acknowledging an issue is not admitting a fault, its kinda what good nations do. And one article from an advocacy group does not make a broken system. Here I can do the same for the usa:
Not to say Denmark or anywhere is perfect far from it, but pulling an article out and claiming smug victory when not in a competition is very american.
How most would do it is just list the building directive:
You seem to be shifting the goal posts. None of the articles you linked to are about deficiencies in the ADA - in fact, your first link says this about it:
This act was so influential in improving challenges experienced by PWDs that its anniversary is celebrated annually through Disability Pride parades; these parades are typically held in large cities such as New York City and Chicago.
I never claimed America does more for disabled people than other countries. There are a lot of ways that we fall short. But when it comes to the ADA, it exceeds everything I’ve seen in foreign countries, and I’m proud of it.
I also understand that Denmark has laws that require a certain level of accessibility in public buildings. I never denied that, but I still maintain that their requirements are not equivalent to the ADA. So for, they seem to be inferior.
You really don’t realize how much had been done to support people who have difficulties walking, hearing, etc. until you travel in Europe or Asia with someone who needs assistance. Walkable cities are great if you can walk, but you don’t notice the lack of wheelchair ramps unless you need them yourself or are traveling with someone who needs them.
As an American, the ADA is definitely something to be proud of.
Those things are easier to implement when all your buildings aren’t over 150 years old though.
Still interesting to see how it is implemented in neighborhoods and buildings that are over 150 years old. I think the Smithsonian museums in our capital are actually the most interesting examples, because many are old buildings whose historical character were preserved, but where wheelchair ramps, railings, and elevators were tastefully and functionally installed many decades or more than a century after the building was originally constructed.
And perhaps the best thing about the ADA is the sidewalk requirements. It doesn’t much matter why a sidewalk developed a raised crack when the ADA requires that it be fixed.
I’m not even disabled, but I’ve pushed baby strollers in different cities (including outside the US) enough to realize how nice it is to be in a city where all the sidewalks and public buildings are ADA compliant.
True, but ignoring those old buildings, how many countries in Europe and Asia have laws like the ADA for new buildings? And sidewalks and parking lots?
Almost all of them? Why are you americans like this? Do you think that places outside of the usa don’t have accessible new buildings? Do you think Canada does not have similar rules or that places that have a robust welfare system like Denmark just flip the bird to disabled people?
This article makes it sound like Denmark does, on occasion, flip the bird to disabled people. Can you share any counter-evidence that shows Denmark has a law that’s equivalent to the ADA?
https://www.edf-feph.org/blog/denmark-must-do-better-for-people-with-disabilities/
Your attitude is off putting, by the way. I’m glad most people I’ve met in Europe are more pleasant than you’re being.
Acknowledging an issue is not admitting a fault, its kinda what good nations do. And one article from an advocacy group does not make a broken system. Here I can do the same for the usa:
https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/challenges-for-people-with-disabilities
https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2019/apr/challenges-living-disability-america-and-how-serious-illness-can
https://www.section508.gov/blog/Barriers-to-Accessibility-Stories-from-Our-Community/
Not to say Denmark or anywhere is perfect far from it, but pulling an article out and claiming smug victory when not in a competition is very american.
How most would do it is just list the building directive:
https://www.byggerietsregler.dk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BR18_Executive_order_on_building_regulations_2018.pdf
Your attitude is american by the way, I am glad I don’t have to meet more of you in person.
You seem to be shifting the goal posts. None of the articles you linked to are about deficiencies in the ADA - in fact, your first link says this about it:
I never claimed America does more for disabled people than other countries. There are a lot of ways that we fall short. But when it comes to the ADA, it exceeds everything I’ve seen in foreign countries, and I’m proud of it.
I also understand that Denmark has laws that require a certain level of accessibility in public buildings. I never denied that, but I still maintain that their requirements are not equivalent to the ADA. So for, they seem to be inferior.