Urban life refers here to social interaction between people in places.
Social interacton between people in cities seems very common, however I do notice that disabled persons do get ignored/overlooked many times which doesn't open the door for them to have social interaction unless they are the initiators.
Implementing universal design in a Norwegian context: Balancing core values and practical priorities
Scruggs, Gregory. "'I love cities, but they don't all love me back,' advocate for disabled says before Habitat III." Citiscope. N.p., 4 Oct. 2016. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.
The article, written by Gregory Scruggs, explains the everyday obstacles that individuals with disabilities may face opposed to those without. Scruggs gathers quotes and background from those who have first-hand associations/experiences with disabilities as well as the opinions of those who do not. Numerical data is also included by Scruggs which compares how different countries have made adjustments to accommodate disabled persons.
Scruggs allows for people who have disabilities to express their person trials and concerns on the lack of accessibility, specifically in cities, prior to Habitat III. Individuals that Scruggs interviewed point out the injustice that they feel due to no accommodations for their disabilities (par. 4). Scruggs' opinions on this issue aligns well with those with disabilities that are facing difficulties on a day to day basis.
The primary and supplementary reading center around people with disabilities and some of the difficulties that they face with accessibility in cities. Both readings had a lot of similarities and a few differences throughout. In the primary reading, the author discusses in great detail her personal opinions and observations on the limited accessibility for those who are disabled in a Norwegian city. As a person who is not disabled, Lid tries to look in on the issue through the eyes of one who is disabled. Lid also interviews disabled individuals who have dealt with their own struggles on the subject. She discovers the effects that derive from the lack of accessibility, exclusion and avoidance, which people with disabilities may experience on a daily basis, particularly in cities (Lid 2016 par. 4).
As a nondisabled person, I have noticed these effects as well and some of the avoidance and exclusion takes place due to ignorance and biased ideas, which in that case it should not be forced upon disabled individuals to conform and try to put their personal complications to the side for others to feel comfortable about the issue. When disabled individuals express that there is a problem and adjustments need to be made then it is up to architects, politicians, etc. to come together and solve those issues and leave unnecessary prejudices out of the equation.
The supplementary reading was somewhat similar to the primary reading being that Scruggs also interviewed disabled individuals to get their personal experiences and opinions on the subject. Essentially, people who suffer with disabilities should not have to feel like an inconvenience for the way that they are, especially if it is how they were born (Scruggs 2016 par. 4). Accepting their differences and integrating them into society like human beings would speak highly on human decency, which is always a good quality for humankind.
Since 1974, many pedestrian crossings also have sloped curves, in order to enable wheelchair users and people with strollers to cross the streets Making room for vulnerable individuals can thus be seen as a friendly aspect of the city.
This is perfect example of sloped curves for wheelchair accessability, and also provides benefits to other mobilities such as bikes, strollers, luggage, etc.
Reference link: http://mtv2day.info/znamezrez-zebra-crossing.html
While the CRPD does not establish new human rights, it does set out with much greater clarity the obligation of states to promote, protect, and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. Of key importance are accessibility, participation, and inclusion.
These three factors align together to meet the end goal which enables persons with disabilities to receive normal/equal treatment that those without disabilities are graced with on an everyday basis.
Disability is complex, and comprises individual, political, social, medical, and normative factors
I can agree with this statement because there are many disabilities out there, some that are still being determined, so I can see how trying to factor all of them into architecture may be difficult, but it's always good to try.
Disability-based exclusion is the result of both architectural barriers and negative attitudes
As stated earlier, when disabled persons are using their voices to connect with those who are able to make changes to promote/include equal accessibilty in areas, cities specifically, it further reveals some of the biases that may play into the non-existent or lack of accessibily available for diasbled persons.
When I was studying the experiences of accessibility and barriers persons with disabilities faced in urban areas (Lid & Solvang, 2015), a wheelchair user and one of the interviewees emphasized the importance of being present in urban public places
Acknowledging the presence of those that are disabled allows for them to be included into the overall imagery of a city, overlooking them leads to ignoring the difficulties that they may face with accessibility in cities.
Realizing that people with disabilities were grossly invisible in urban public areas, Jane 1 argued that politicians and spatial planners needed more knowledge about accessibility for wheelchair users. However, she also pointed to a catch-22: namely, that if wheelchair users, like herself, stayed indoors because of barriers in public places, politicians might fail to recognize their need for access.
This interviewee gives meaning to the concept of not seeing/experiencing a problem individually so therefore there is no problem.
Thus, she calls for a dynamic where people with disabilities engage with their local communities by being present in inimical places, thereby insisting on the need for equal access to all public places.
This could allow for disabled persons to have a voice, having a voice and using it can futher determine whether you were being ignored for the lack of using said voice or for other reasons may be biased.
Access to urban public areas involves both political processes and architectural design.
Some architechs may not factor in accessibility for disabed persons because they are building based on their design, which may not primarily include people at all and/or more so as an after thought. However, those who may have knowledge/association with persons with disabilities would more likely incorporate accommodations.