Promoting Mobility and Barrier Awareness
Did you know that May is Mobility Awareness Month? It’s fitting that May is also when National Barrier Awareness Day takes place. The first official proclamation by President Reagan in 1986 included this statement: “We must become more aware of the barriers that prevent or inhibit so many of our fellow Americans from participating fully in the life of our society, and how much more they could contribute if those obstacles were removed.”
Awareness days and months around mobility are a call to action at many levels, from creating and supporting legislation to ensure everyone can use public spaces or transportation to making small modifications at home to accommodate a loved one’s mobility support device or to reduce their risk of injury in the bathroom. Barriers to access and inclusion can also be social, like employment discrimination or disability stigma; or with public communication, like signage that is challenging for people with a visual impairment to read or audio messaging that cannot reach someone with a hearing impairment.
As a society, we must continue to recognize and eliminate barriers to full participation faced by our neighbors—and not just during specially designated periods. It’s our collective responsibility to find new ways to improve access and foster inclusivity.
“We must become more aware of the barriers that prevent or inhibit so many of our fellow Americans from participating fully in the life of our society, and how much more they could contribute if those obstacles were removed.”
On a personal level, your own home may present barriers for you or a loved one. Here are just a few examples of what to consider and some ideas that may help:
Safety concerns: If you or a loved one is prone to slipping or falling or struggling with mobility, we can help you assess the home and find ways to make everyday tasks safer and easier to manage.
Visual impairment: Simple changes such as stronger lighting, color-coding items such as light switches and placing bright reflective tape on the edges of steps may help someone better manage daily activities. Some technological options like text-to-speech functionality, screen readers, and voice-activated systems are readily available.
Mobility challenges: Difficulty getting out of bed or walking up and down stairs may be indicators that in-home care could be helpful.
Accessibility in public spaces should be a given, but a person should also be able to enjoy their home to the fullest. In-home support may be part of the solution. We can work with you to assess needs and adjust care as those needs evolve, ensuring comfort, safety and independence.
We’ve created a CareSource Guide specifically to help you learn more about mobility support options and explore how to obtain devices such as walkers and wheelchairs. Read and download the Mobility Resources guide here.