urbancripple

[urbancripple]

What do you think of the company scewo? Especially their stair climbing scewo bro? They are being recognized by some European governments as legitimate mobility aids.

Like I've said before:

[D}isabled people should not have to purchase access to a world that everyone else gets for free. Saying you want to make the world more accessible by creating a new mobility device only makes the world more accessible for those that can afford it. If these people actually wanted to make the world more accessible, they’d take some of that VC Money and use to lobby for more accessibility in public spaces.

[urbancripple]

Been a Minute

That question submission made me realize how long it's been since I posted on here. I'm still around. I just don't have much to to write about. The site (urbancripple.com) is still up for folks who need it.

[urbancripple]

What do you think of the ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton? They say they want to make it available on insurance plans.

It's interesting tech but I dunno how much "independence" it actually grants the user.

Per the FDA:

bilateral standard forearm crutches are required while using the ReWalk™. The crutches provide a stable platform during standing and walking and are an integral part of the chair raising activity. A full-circle forearm cuff is utilized to ensure the crutch stays attached to the user’s arm

If you're strapped into the thing and you are required to use forearm crutches, what independence does that grant you? There's nothing wrong with forearm crutches (I use them) but let's not pretend that forearm crutches aren't limiting: can't so much as hold a coffee cup and stay upright. You're upright and walking but it's far from being independent. I see it as a really interesting _therapy_ device for SCI-folks but I don't see it as a mobility aid.

[urbancripple]

I am on BlueSky Now

I'm on Bluesky now at https://bsky.app/profile/urbancripple.bsky.social

[urbancripple]

What Do You Want Me to Cover in 2025?

What topics do you want to see me cover in 2025?

[urbancripple]

Do you have a post on how to pack for a flight, while flying as a wheelchair user with no assistance? If not, I would appreciate it.

This should do it. https://urbancripple.com/a-manual-wheelchair-users-guide-to-flying if not, let me know and I'll put something more specific together.

[urbancripple]

Working on New Content

Working on new stuff for 2025 (I know I haven't posted anything in about a year). Wanted to remind folks that my inbox is open to disability related questions. If it's one I've already answered, I'll send you a link. If it's new (and unique) I'll answer it on my main site and post a link

[urbancripple]

Shameless Support Plug

If you wanna help me cover stuff like hosting costs, you can click on links like this one and then buy something (anything) and I'll get a kick back.

Wanted to call this out since it is Prime Day and all that.

Thanks for your support!

[urbancripple]

New Cup Holder Recommendation

Found this recommended on Reddit: https://amzn.to/46Zs0Lm (affiliate link)

Here's a photo of the holder on a chair:

[urbancripple]

Yes, this is a long article. Yes, there are a lot of names of people involved. You - yes you - person who is scrolling while taking a shit, should read this. Just sit and read it and take it all in. Especially if you care about accessibility in gaming.

[urbancripple]

Stupid Show Idea: The Great British Fake-Off

12 of Britain’s top knock-off artists and counter fitters compete to recreate the items from the world’s best-known brands.

Gucci, Prada, handbags, and sneakers. You get the idea. Each contestants’ work is judged by a pair of authenticators hired by major resellers

The finale “show stopper” is just “The 20 pound note”.

Winner gets arrested.

[urbancripple]

Disability Thought Experiment

It can be difficult to understand how inaccessibility affects disabled people. So, I created a small thought experiment to help people better understand the issue.

Imagine accessibility issues as a series of awkward, and repetitive conversations you have to take part in. Whether it’s opening a door or moving through a restaurant, you have to talk to someone before you can continue. How many times will you stop and talk to someone before you stop entering these spaces? How many conversations are you willing to have before it’s no longer worth the struggle to go about your day?

Every time you want to open a door, you have explain to the person in charge of it that you need to enter. Then, wait for them to find the key, unlock the door, and allow you through it. Every door, every time.

When you board a bus, it’s a thirty second conversation. You tell the driver you need to board, where you will sit, and where you will be getting off.

Stairs are a nightmare as it takes a forty‐five to sixty‐second explanation with someone at either end to go up or down.

Restaurants are agonizing as you talk your way through narrow passageways of people. You spend a few seconds with each person, apologizing for interrupting their meal.

What if there’s no one to talk to? What if there’s no one watching the stairs? Or the bus driver can’t understand you? What if the door attendant is on their lunch break? What then? You sit there awkwardly conversing with passers by. They’ll smile, nod, and maybe even take a second or two to lament the utter lack of available door or stair attendants. But they cannot help you.

This is what it is like to be disabled and have to navigate through a world that is not designed for you. You’re constantly having to explain yourself to complete the most basic of tasks. This is why real accessibility is so important for people with disabilities. Without it, we spend all our time stuck in these “conversations” instead of doing what we need to do.

[urbancripple]

Cool and good and totally normal and not at all terrifying and bad and enraging /sarcasm

[urbancripple]

If Capitalism could make motivational posters, I feel like this would be the one they would put up after every "once in a lifetime" historical event that happens each week.

I hate it.