A recent study by Forbes Health reveals that approximately 12.1% of U.S. adults are affected by mobility disabilities, and the accessibility of U.S. cities varies significantly. The study analyzed 93 cities based on 10 metrics, including the percentage of wheelchair-friendly rentals, pedestrian-friendliness, and the number of accessible restaurants and attractions per capita.
Irving was identified as the second most accessible city in the U.S. The city ranked seventh for wheelchair-accessible rental properties and eighth for the number of new buildings constructed since 2010 that are likely to meet updated accessibility regulations.
The top five most accessible cities are:
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Irving, Texas
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Portland, Oregon
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alena Hall, Managing Editor at Forbes Health, comments: “With nearly one in eight Americans living with mobility disabilities, it’s important for cities to create accessible places for people to explore and live. Our research reveals that some cities in the U.S. are paving the way in creating accessible places that all can enjoy while others need significant improvement.
Fortunately, modern design developments are extending beyond the basic guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act to include accessible features like walk-in-tubs, stair lifts and shower chairs in residential buildings. And, as the data shows, many of the cities at the top of our ranking have a high percentage of newer buildings that take factors from the ADA, along with other accessibility features, into consideration."
