When you think about public transportation, it feels like an accessible option for many. Whether they are rich or poor, locals or foreigners... However, did you ever stop to think about those less able-bodied and how accessible it is for them?
In America, 61 million adults in the United States have a disability - that's one out of every four people. Vasav Desai noted that there was a growing problem with the disabled population when it came to using public transportation, saying that, "their disability can be a barrier to enjoying the freedom of independent travel, something that results in an inequality that few understand and even fewer consider."
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vasav was one of the few who thought about those less privileged than able-bodied populace and quickly installed a wheelchair and vision-impaired friendly elevator in one of NYC's busiest stations in order to ensure that those with disabilities would have equal access to healthcare facilities.
In a study done in 2004 by the National Organization on Disability, more than half of the respondents with disabilities reported that inadequate transportation posed a major problem for them. Those with more severe disabilities often reported higher levels of severity regarding public transportation.
"It can be frustrating," says a wheelchair user who wishes not to be named, "Transportation should be a basic human right but here we are fighting for tighter policies revolving around public transportation so that we can actually utilize what exists for everyone else."
For some, a simple train ride can be an experience filled with anxiety. Isabelle Clement, known for her award winning charity, Wheels for Well-Being, told Forbes:
"The whole palaver of having to organize a ramp, the time you need to plan your journey, the long, complicated telephone conversation about booking the wheelchair ramp, and then having to arrive lots in advance and trust that they are going to have the right people to get you onto the right train... To me, there is no worse stress level than having to take the train which is a shame because trains are fantastic."
Providing access to the freedom of mobility and equality with everyone else is Vasav's noble mission. An unsung hero, Vasav made sure that everyone enjoys the same kind of liberties that America is known for: freedom. It isn't just freedom of movement, but freedom to partake in the convenience and amenities that are offered to all.
Implementing various ADA-compliant Transit elevators on subway stations is just one example of how Vasav strives to level the playing field between those with and without disabilities. Not only do these hydraulic elevators allow them the ability to navigate their environment independently, but they also provide increased safety, comfort, accessibility, and ease.
His work with MTA is a part of his personal mission to outfit accessibility facilities to 70 stations around America, effectively improving the user experience for all riders. Social inclusion is something that has garnered much attention especially for genders in recent times, but while disabled people have been around for just as long, they don't seem to get the same type of coverage and while gender-sensitive toilets have popped up around the globe, there still isn't the same kind of initiative in place to give basic care and accessibility to disabled people.
Vasav will continue to build a public transportation system that supports both the economy and also respects social inclusion of all people, whether disabled, able-bodied, or senior citizens. He wants continue with this mission to provide equitable access to public transportation, so that disabled people can travel as freely as able-bodied citizens.
"Everyone deserves the same consideration as one another. If you are able to enter a train without any difficulty, those with impairments or disabilities should also be given that same opportunity," Vasav's noble goal of creating a world where nobody is left behind has not gone unnoticed. He is a hero to the disabled community and more attention should be given to his efforts.
