Read on Twitter
Let's discuss this after we supply the missing image description: Two photos of a tripartite metal bench with the middle seat missing, ostensibly to allow a wheelchair user to back in there. One shows it with a drawing of a wheelchair user, one without. #UCAccessNow https://twitter.com/CloHiggins/status/1391083611860967426
We recommend folks go to the replies to that tweet. Wheelchair users are correctly pointing out that this bench is an example of what's called "hostile architecture" - infrastructure meant to fence the houseless out.
But they're also pointing out how it isn't even a very good design for wheelchair users, which indicates that if this was truly designed to be a wheelchair-accessible bench, it was designed by someone who doesn't use a wheelchair. #UCAccessNow
This is a common phenomenon of systemic ableism. When not actively attacking disabled people & fencing us out of higher education, abled folks are "doing things for" disabled ppl even as they make it harder for us to steer their own destinies. #UCAccessNow
There are lots of different disabilities that benefit from using or need to use a wheelchair to get around. There are different kinds of wheelchair designs. Wheelchair users are the ones best-suited to decide what "wheelchair accessible" is. #UCAccessNow
But there's the intentional Catch-22 of systemic ableism: how would a wheelchair user get to be in the position to be the shotcaller on public furniture when the university isn't that accessible to wheelchair users in the first place? #UCAccessNow
UC has lots of public seating areas that assume wheelchair users would never want to sit next to non-wheelchair users. #UCAccessNow
Here's a new bench being built in the same inaccessible way. Why inaccessible? There needs to be an accessible way for a wheelchair user (or - shock - more than one wheelchair user!) to wheel on either side of this bench. Enough paved space to do so. #UCAccessNow
Every once in a while, the welded-together table & chairs leave a space for a wheelchair user. But notice those ones don't have shade from the sun. In the Davis heat. #UCAccessNow
When we brought up to an administrator that the welded-together furniture didn't offer the options disabled ppl need for access, we were told it was "too expensive". Also that "otherwise people will steal the furniture". Yet dept laptops aren't chained together.... #UCAccessNow
We later found out that administrator had received an award from UC for being an "ally" to disabled people... #UCAccessNow
UC is a public institution. Disabled people are part of the public. We are underrepresented at UC. But even the disabled people who make it in have their taxes, tuitions, & fees used to buy infrastructure that is hostile to us or even hurts us. #UCAccessNow
So hit that quoted tweet & its replies to learn more about public furniture design that's accessible. And also observe how disabled ppl are once again used as a wedge for abled ppl's purposes - in this case harassing houseless ppl (many of whom are disabled). #UCAccessNow
And if you want to help us address these issues in the UC system, please write UC brass and urge them to read the Demandifesto and act on its action steps. http://bit.ly/UCActionNow
