National Mobility Awareness Month
May marks National Mobility Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of accessibility and the independence it gives to millions of people with mobility disabilities. This annual observance raises awareness for diverse experiences of people with mobility disabilities, advocating for communities where everyone has the freedom to thrive without barriers.
What Is Mobility Awareness Month?
National Mobility Awareness Month was established in 2012 by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). Recognizing the significant population of Americans living with mobility disabilities, NMEDA launched this initiative to highlight the importance of accessible transportation and adaptive equipment. The awareness month serves as a time to educate the public about the benefits of mobility solutions and advocate for greater access to products and services that benefit people with mobility disabilities.
Since its inception, observance has evolved to focus on the ongoing need for accessible spaces for people with mobility disabilities and the benefits that accessibility can have on communities.
What Is a Mobility Disability?
A mobility disability is a condition that affects a person’s ability to move, whether walking, standing, sitting, or using their arms or legs. A wide range of conditions can affect mobility, including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis, and many others. While some people with mobility disabilities use mobility aids like canes, walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs, others may not. The degree of impairment and the specific challenges faced can vary from person to person.
What Is the Most Common Mobility Disability?
National Mobility Awareness Month recognizes the range of mobility disabilities that affect millions of individuals in the U.S. and around the world. While arthritis is the most common physical disability a person may or may not be born with, cerebral palsy is the most common congenital disability.
Mobility disabilities can vary, even among individuals with the same condition. For example, there are multiple types of cerebral palsy, and people with the same type of CP can experience it differently. Some individuals with CP may walk unassisted, while others might use mobility aids like canes, crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs occasionally or full-time, depending on the individual's needs.
This variability is not unique to cerebral palsy. There are hundreds of different types of mobility disabilities, and the people who have them may be affected differently.
Accessibility in Everyday Life
Mobility disabilities affect more than physical movement; these disabilities can affect one's ability to access education, employment, healthcare, and social activities. For many, mobility disabilities present daily challenges that can limit participation in society and impact overall quality of life. Without adequate access, everyday tasks can be difficult or impossible.
A few examples of accessibility in everyday life include:
- Automatic doors: Originally designed to help people with disabilities open doors, automatic doors are also helpful for parents with strollers or people carrying multiple items without a free hand.
- Ramps: These are not only helpful to people with mobility disabilities, but also to parents with strollers, shoppers with carts, bicyclists, people riding skateboards and scooters, or delivery personnel with trolleys.
- Elevators: While helpful for people with mobility disabilities, elevators also benefit parents with strollers, or people who live, work, or stay in multi-level buildings like apartments or hotels.
Features initially designed for accessibility often benefit everyone, providing better access to transportation, healthcare, schools, and workplaces for all. The concept of creating spaces that are accessible to everyone, not just people with disabilities, is known as universal design.
Recognizing National Mobility Awareness Month
National Mobility Awareness Month offers numerous opportunities to get involved. Ideas to commemorate the month include:
- Educate yourself and others: Whether you're brushing up on disability etiquette, learning about accessible parking laws, or looking for more information on specific types of mobility disabilities, educating yourself and others on disability is the first step to becoming a disability ally and advocate.
- Advocate for accessibility: Support policies and initiatives that promote accessible infrastructure, public transportation, and buildings. Encourage local businesses and organizations to assess and improve their accessibility, and when you encounter accessibility barriers, contact the necessary authorities to have them removed.
- Support relevant organizations: Many nonprofits and advocacy groups work to provide mobility solutions, and support services for individuals with mobility disabilities. Consider donating your time or resources to an organization that resonates with you.
- Support caregivers: Many individuals with mobility disabilities rely on caregivers. Whether you're taking over caregiving duties for a day or sharing a simple thank you note, recognizing and supporting caregivers—who often face their own set of challenges—is important.
Physical disabilities touch many lives, whether it's your family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague. Some people experience disability firsthand, either temporarily from an injury, permanently due to a life-changing mobility challenge, or later in life due to age. Disability impacts everyone, and advocating for people with mobility disabilities helps create a more inclusive world. Explore the related articles below to learn more about mobility disabilities.
