Top Ten Most Livable Places for Wheelchair Users

WHEELCHAIR USERS TOP 10 MOST LIVABLE CITIES MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT: www.LIVING SPINAL.cOM Living Spinal We ranked the cities against the following criteria: Disabled Pop. of Disabled Ease of Finding Accessible Sports/ Population Air Accessible Quality Employed Resources Recreation Facilities Transportation Climate 1st ortland, or the "City of Roses" is a thriving metropolis with an endearing quirky vibe. Often called the most green city in the country, Portland also has an amazing sense of community, mild year round climate, great public transportation, and accessibility, which makes it #1 on our list. P: Portlane air quality BEST AT: "B" Portland scored #1 on our list for adaptive recreation facilities and programs! They have a large amount of adaptive facilities and hundreds of choices of recreation programs. est. 1851 population of disabled 26,661 { } summer average #1) percentage of employed disabled winter average 34% transportation ease of finding information/ resources EASY para-transit shuttle commuter rail metro light rail ferry taxi 2nd san diego an Diego, or the "America's Finest City" is the second largest in California, where sun, sand, ocean, and blue V skies dominate. The gentle Mediterranean climate, stunning friendly city at the top of our list. tline, and great accessibility options puts this air quality BEST AT: "F" Д San Diego scored #1 on our list for accessibility. One example of their great accessibility options is the city provides free motorized beach wheelchairs so that everyone can enjoy Southern California's iconic beaches. est. 1850 population of disabled 38,002 summer average {4} percentage of employed disabled winter average 35% ease of finding information/ resources transportation EASY accessible sports and recreation facilities # 3 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rail light rail ferry taxi metro зrd eattle, or the "Emerald City" is Washington's largest city. Seattle's picture perfect scenery, mild climate, and great U cultural (and culinary) scene, make this city an amazing option for wheelchair users. Seattle air quality BEST AT: Д Seattle scored #1 on our list for transportation and innovation. The city has tons of innovative thinkers and it shows, through its wide range of accessible transportation options. est. 1851 population of disabled 55,799 70 } } summer average percentage of employed disabled 25% winter average ease of finding information/ resources transportation MEDIUM accessible sports and recreation facilities #2 shuttle commuter rail metro bus para-transit light rail ferry taxi 4th grancisco an Francisco, or the "City by the Bay" is known for its iconic hills, but despite the challenging topography, the city's disability community and culture is huge. San Francisco and the Bay Area's culture of acceptance is what put it on our list. :::: air quality BEST AT: "A" Д est. 1776 For San Francisco, inclusivity is key. It has been called a "Mecca for the disability community." That makes San Francisco number one on our list for awareness population of disabled and positive disability culture. 92,570 { & } 70 Summer average percentage of employed disabled Winter average 34% ease of finding information/ resources transportation EASY accessible sports and recreation facilities #4 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rail light rail ferry taxi metro 5th S. alt Lake City, or "Ski City USA" is nestled between the Great Salt Lake and the stunning Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake is a small navigable city, whose warm hospitality and low cost of living makes it a great place to live for wheelchair users. Jake air quality BEST AT: "F" Salt Lake City scored #1 on our list for cost of living. The inexpensive cost of living and availability of adaptive housing in SLC was the best on our list. est. 1847 population of disabled 7,340 { summer average percentage of employed disabled 40% 40 winter average ease of finding information/ resources transportation MEDIUM accessible sports and recreation facilities #7 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rail light rail ferry taxi metro 6th Ibuquerque, or the "Duke City" is a bustling desert city located a mile above sea level. Albuquerque's rustic charm combined with a colorful history, friendly culture, and typically mild and warm climate, make it a great place to call home. :::: air quality BEST AT: "C" Д Albuquerque has the best hospitals in the state of New Mexico. With top-notch hospitals comes amazing care, great rehab facilities and numerous support groups, making it a great city for wheelchair users. est. 1891 population of disabled 23,803 70 { .} summer average 60 percentage of employed disabled 50 28% winter average ease of finding information/ resources transportation VERY EASY accessible sports and recreation facilities #6 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rail lightrail ferry taxi metro 7th eno, or "the Biggest Little City in the World" is Nevada's second most popular tourist destination. Located at the base of the Sierra Nevadas, Reno offers quick access to wide open spaces. But it's Reno's newly revitalized downtown and great level of accessibility that puts it on our list. R reno BEST AT: air quality Д "C" Reno scored #1 on our list for adaptive recreation for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The city has made nearly all est. 1871 population of disabled parks, golf courses, and aquatics facilities accessible for all. In addition, the city of Reno recently received a grant, called Project Fit Reno, endowing fitness programs for individuals living with SCI. 8,099 percentage of employed disabled { } summer average 37% ease of finding information/ resources winter average transportation VERY EASY accessible sports and recreation facilities #5 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rai metro light rail ferry 8th denver enver or the “Mile High City," is a fast growing metropolis with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Denver's mining and cowboy past has given way to a more cosmopolitan city focused as much on outdoor recreation as the arts. :::: air quality BEST AT: est. 1856 " Denver is on the front-line of the disability rights movement. ADAPT, a grassroots disability rights organization was formed in Denver. ADAPT brings attention to the disability community's population of disabled lack of certain civil rights through legislative policy, education and mobilization. 24,037 70 summer average } 60 percentage of employed disabled 50 32% winter average ease of finding information/ resources transportation VERY EASY accessible sports and recreation facilities #8 bus para-transit shuttle taxi commuter rail light rail ferry metro 9th inston-Salem or the "Twin City" is located in North-Carolina, and was primarily known for its tobacco industry. Many of the tobacco fields have been replaced with vineyards and the city is currently known for its unique blend of history, culture, charm and hospitality. air quality BEST AT: Д "F" est. 1856 At a whopping 47%, Winston-Salem is number one on our list for employing the disabled. Winston-Salem has many population of disabled vocational programs including the “Enrichment Center," which helps adults with disabilities get and keep jobs. 9,280 summer average percentage of employed disabled 47% 40 winter average 30 ease of finding information/ resources transportation MEDIUM accessible sports and recreation facilities #9 bus para transit shuttle commuter rall light rail ferry тах metro 1oth irmingham or the "Magic City," is the largest city in Alabama, located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. At the center of the civil rights movement, Birmingham's tumultuous past has given way to a bright and prosperous future. air quality BEST AT: "F" est. 1871 Birmingham has a culture of support when it comes to spinal cord injuries. There are two centers for independent living within the city as well as a plethora of rehab facilities, resources, and adaptive recreation facilities available for those with spinal cord injuries. population of disabled 17,146 summer average } percentage of employed disabled 50 25% winter average ease of finding information/ resources transportation MEDIUM accessible sports and recreation facilities #10 bus para-transit shuttle commuter rail light rail ferry taxi metro designed by ashley dillon: ashleyadillon.com PLACE city alt PLACE san PLACE PLACE lem PLACE PLACE