Photo project highlights accessibility in Central Florida for people with disabilities

Six members of the disability community are photographing their daily lives in Central Florida as part of a photovoice project that highlights living with a disability and how accessibility affects daily activities.

The photovoice project, spearheaded by Lani Steffens, features many seemingly simple tasks as crossing the street and traveling to the grocery store, where accessibility for people with a disability it crucial for their safety. In one participant’s case, the sidewalk that she travels often is narrow, uneven and sharply inclined by the crosswalk crossing button, which makes it impossible for her to press the button to allow her the right of way to cross the busy street. Her options are to try crossing the street and race traffic or to travel further out of her way to a safer crosswalk.

While there are areas for improvements, such as in the crosswalk case, the project also recognizes how accessibility is working. Wide and flat sidewalks allow for easy terrain and enough space for wheelchairs to maneuver. Handicap parking spaces make an exhausting trip to the grocery store a little easier.

To view the photovoice project from the six participants, click here.

Steffens worked with the Center for Independent Living, who provided space and resources for the project.

For more information about the project, contact Steffens at [email protected].