We're often surprised by how frequently the mobility disability community is not consulted before life-changing alterations are made to things that will affect their everyday lives.

In fact, over 65 percent of those we surveyed have said that as a wheelchair user, they felt their voices were not included in the design of items services, buildings or events.

BY CHRIS CARLISLE

STARTING A MOVEMENT

As a dedicated member of this parent community, you and your loved ones know all too well the issues and conflicts that are prominent within the mobility disability space. Feelings of isolation, discouraging encounters with the general public, and fleeting moments of wishing life was a little bit different for the ones that you love the most.

Yet, we know you have so many experiences and ideas that could help address some of the very challenges you face individually on a daily basis. BraunAbility, a leading manufacturer of mobility transportation solutions, is starting a movement looking to unite all voices from the mobility disability space. The movement, called Drive for Inclusion, will seek your input on key issues to help educate the public on the needs of those with mobility challenges, as it will encourage social change for mobility inclusion.

SPACE SAVER: BraunAbility sought out internationally-renowned 3D chalk artist Tracy Lee Stum to help redesign the access aisles found next to wheelchair van accessible parking spaces. The optical illusion of a raised barrier is meant to prevent someone from parking on the access aisle and blocking the ability for a wheelchair van ramp to be deployed.

WITHOUT ACCESS, THERE IS NO INCLUSION

Studies today state that an alarming 1 in 3 people show an unconscious bias toward those with a disability. This is higher than levels of bias on the basis of gender or race. To eliminate unconscious bias, others must have more exposure to and understanding of those with a disability. Only then will more considerations be made for access and ultimately, inclusion. When people are included, understanding increases, and the movement grows.

Drive for Inclusion is the first-ever effort to gather and unify the voices of people across the mobility disability spectrum to better understand their everyday challenges and help inform action toward greater access and inclusion. Identifying, sharing and addressing these issues together has the potential to create the change that will lead to greater mobility inclusion.

Case, one of BraunAbility's customers who personally uses a wheelchair, feels the frustration of not being included on a regular basis.

"It's just very frustrating because your disability is right in your face at that point," Case says. "I clearly can't go where I need to go. I think that part is just sort of hard to swallow sometimes because you have to realize 'I can't do that thing.'"

At the heart of the movement is The Driving Force. Through online surveys and polls, this community of people who use wheelchairs and caregivers of people who use wheelchairs looks to provide input on obstacles they face in their everyday lives and opportunities they see to improve these obstacles. They'll be able to share feelings and experiences to help others better understand the unconscious discrimination against those with a mobility disability.

As a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles, we consider mobility inclusion close to our hearts. And we also know first-hand the importance of including our community's feedback to ensure we're developing customized fits and features that reflect our diverse customers. Still, we're often surprised by how frequently the mobility disability community is not consulted before life-changing alterations are made to things that will affect their everyday lives. In fact, over 65 percent of those we surveyed have said that as a wheelchair user, they felt their voices were not included in the design of items, services, buildings, events, etc.

Through The Driving Force community and people like Case, the insights we gain will be invaluable. These insights will be shared with other interested organizations, businesses and communities, and will be used to inform future actions that can be championed by BraunAbility and The Driving Force. Additionally, starting in May 2020, we will release the annual Drive for Inclusion Report Card to share the key findings more broadly. So where do we start? With one of the simplest and most universal symbols of mobility disabilities – accessible parking.

THE FIRST-EVER 3D ACCESS AISLE

Misuse of accessible parking is one of the most common frustrations we hear from our customers. In fact, 84 percent of BraunAbility customers are interested in actions aimed at preventing the misuse of accessible spaces, according to a recent survey by the company.

At the inaugural action of Drive for Inclusion, the company is testing a design of the first-ever 3D access aisle that accompanies accessible parking spaces. BraunAbility previously took action to repaint spaces in its local community, while also providing educational materials to prevent parking misuse. Now, we're building upon those efforts nationally through Drive for Inclusion.

The 3D design is meant to ensure that the access aisles are not misused or do not go unnoticed any longer. We're finding that, increasingly, even people who have a disabled parking permit may not be aware of the rules for access aisles. We is testing this design to determine if the new look has an impact on preventing people from parking in the access aisle, which is designed for ramp deployment and for people who use wheelchairs to enter and exit their vehicle.

As explained by our customer, Natalie, not being able to enter or exit your vehicle is far more than an "inconvenience". "To me inclusion means life," Natalie says. "I literally cannot live my life without having accessibility and inclusion into the general society."

To create a greater awareness of the parking misuse that we so often see our customers encounter, we sought out internationally-renowned 3D chalk artist, Tracy Lee Stum, to help us redesign the access aisles found next to wheelchair van accessible parking spaces. The optical illusion of a raised barrier is meant to prevent someone from parking on the access aisle and blocking the ability for a wheelchair van ramp to be deployed, or leaving someone in a wheelchair without room to maneuver through the space. It is our hope that the new design and stunning optical illusion will be shared in an effort to educate the public about the importance of leaving the access aisle open for wheelchair users. Read more about Tracy Leet Stum at tracyleestum.com

The first 3D access aisle is being launched in Indianapolis, our headquarters, to showcase our vision for the Drive for Inclusion with the rest of nation. If the test is a success, we hope to expand this effort into other communities, and we even encourage other businesses to incorporate the 3D design template into their parking lots. Regardless, we know that even seeing the 3D image in a picture will make people think twice about something they may never have thought about before.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

In the journey to inclusion, the movement starts with YOU. The Driving Force is simply the mechanism by which we are able to amplify your voice and the voices of others in this community that need to be heard. Your thoughts and opinions will help build the foundation for powerful initiatives to create change. This is National Mobility Awareness Month and there is no better time to become part of The Driving Force for change, for a more mobility-inclusive world. Feel free to start sharing opinions and observations; experiences and stories. BraunAbility is inviting any person with a mobility disability, and anyone who cares for someone with a mobility disability, to participate in our online survey community aimed at gathering all voices from the mobility disability space.•

For more information or to join The Driving Force community, go to BraunAbility.com/TheDrivingForce

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Chris Carlisle is a Vice President with BraunAbility.