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Comment by matthewmacleod | Hacker News Reader

Remember that it's not just people in wheelchairs who benefit from accessibility though. The elderly, injured infirm, people with small children etc. also find accessibility helpful.

Modern accessibility policy is focused in a large part around allowing people with accessibility requirement to live as normal a life as possible. It's not going to change overnight, but by making sure that all new construction and refurbishments are accessible, over time the situation will improve. The only quibble is over the extent of funding that will be made available.

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I had very minor foot surgery recently and the first time I went to use the subway it dawned on my how none of my regular stops have elevators. My journey was slow and painful and this was just for a few weeks. I can't imagine having to deal with this frustration daily, even to the point of needing to find an apartment and a job near stops that are accessible.

>Remember that it's not just people in wheelchairs who benefit from accessibility though.

In addition to that, I wager there's value in extending the current infrastructure so as to not ostracize disabled people even further.

I think grandparent comment's point was that at some point, greater good for disabled people can be delivered by specifically helping them rather than re-engineering the world to fit them. Considering that each has a concrete price tag attached to it.

The "wheelchair that can climb stairs" vs "adding ramps everywhere" comparison.

I feel like in the past the latter made more economic sense, but at some point technology might tip the balance the other way.

And also the delivery of goods.

In Finland, everything is wheelchair-friendly from our Helsinki metro, to trains, to buses. I am kinda shocked to read Americans think it's not important to allocate the money to enable those with limitations to live their lives as freely as they, the able-bodied do. The mentality "it does not apply to me, why should I fine two fucks?" is all too common in the American ethos. Quite pathetic really.

The Helsinki Metro was built in 1982 and has 17 stations, of which 6 are underground. The New York City subway system has 472 stations, almost all of which are either underground or above grade. It was first opened in 1904. The difference in cost and complexity of providing universally accessible service is massive.

I'm impressed anyone who's ever seen so much as a picture of a full NYC subway car would try and compare them to trains in Finland...

will better don't look okay American banking, trains and internet either

there is some odd perception flying around world that US is particularly developed country, while reality about their infrastructure contradicts this

Were managing to convert the underground in London to be wheelchair friendly, you guys need to make a start too.

Start with new stations and ones a few apart and work your way in.

Also, people buying carrying furniture from IKEA or large amounts of groceries.

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