Posts by Jonathan Paul Katz — Guest Contributor
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Single-user restrooms are a good idea. How do we make them cost-effective?
Currently, there are a few new bills that would expand access in the Washington region to restrooms built for one primary user at a time, which are considered the gold standard for inclusion. Keep reading…
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Why are there so few electric stoves?
Gas stoves have problematic environmental, health, and safety impacts, but we have the ability to change our culture in favor of electric. Keep reading…
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Many bathrooms have been closed during the pandemic. Who suffers?
Since the onset of the pandemic a year ago, many restrooms have been closed to the public. Public restroom access is important, as many people depend on them. And yet, in the past 12 months of the pandemic, we have seen many businesses, institutions, and parks shut their restrooms to anyone but employees and staff – and sometimes to anyone at all. Keep reading…
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How the 7000-series train outage makes Metro less accessible
Metro’s 7000-series trains have a number of features that make them more accessible to people with disabilities. Now they’re out of service for the foreseeable future, leaving Metro less accessible than it was before. Keep reading…
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Accessible transit signage can work for everyone. Here’s how.
Accessible transit signage for everyone is not an insurmountable task, and in many places, it’s done quite well. If transit agencies focus on improving six areas—adequacy, lighting and placement, text, colors, words and graphics, and modes—transit has a much better chance of being accessible to all. Keep reading…
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Many bathrooms have been closed for a year during the pandemic. Who suffers?
Since the onset of the pandemic a year ago, many restrooms have been closed to the public. Public restroom access is important, as many people depend on them. And yet, in the past 12 months of the pandemic, we have seen many businesses, institutions, and parks shut their restrooms to anyone but employees and staff – and sometimes to anyone at all. Keep reading…
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Good urban design can make Greater Washington more dementia-friendly
How do we make urban spaces more dementia-friendly? Many of the solutions are surprisingly simple: walkable urban design and dementia-friendly design are often one and the same. Keep reading…
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Five ways social distancing signage is not accessible – and how to fix them
Signage during our current age of social distancing is critical in informing us when to wear a mask, how close to convene, and where to go. Many signs, however, are not very good at effectively communicating their message to their audience - especially if that audience happens to have a disability. Keep reading…
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As the coronavirus spreads, the need for public handwashing facilities becomes vital
In pre-coronavirus days, about a third of all public restroom users washed their hands. That wasn’t good enough then and it really isn’t good enough now. During this pandemic, we all need to be washing our hands, often! The problem we have now is a lack of public facilities to wash them. Keep reading…
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Accessible transit signage can work for everyone. Here’s how.
Accessible transit signage for everyone is not an insurmountable task, and in many places, it’s done quite well. If transit agencies focus on improving six areas—adequacy, lighting and placement, text, colors, words and graphics, and modes—transit has a much better chance of being accessible to all. Keep reading…