Photo credit: Scottsdale.org
There are many positive adjectives and superlatives you could assign to the city of Scottsdale: beautiful, affluent, friendly, fun. Perhaps it’s time to add another one to the mix however: inclusive.
In a recent survey commission by Wallethub to honor National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Scottsdale was ranked as the second most amenable city to those with disabilities. The study was based on 34 key indicators, but was dialed in on what are the two most common issues those with disabilities encounter: the marginal added costs to deal with said disability in that metro area, as well as health care.
The study makes a valid point regarding extra costs which are often not covered by traditional social safety net programs. Between senior services from the city of Scottsdale for when disability overlaps with age, as well as their Adaptive Services department meant to help foster compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, our city services are clearly geared towards helping those who have difficulties with physical self-sufficiency. Additionally, a quick Google search shows quite a few private and/or non-profit options that offer similar services.
61 million Americans live with a disability (26% of Americans), including physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Mobility ranks as the most common issue that persons with disabilities must contend with, followed by cognition issues, and then “living alone” (being able to run errands independently). The impacts of disabilities can be wide-ranging, including higher incidence of smoking, obesity, and heart problems.
We frequently talk about how wonderful of a place Scottsdale is to live, which is true. But it is only so great if the beauty of the city is only accessible to those of us who have no problems with mobility, cognition, or other issues. As the phrase goes, you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and we posit that the strength of a city is determined by its ability to cater not to its strongest, but those who are less strong. And to that end, Scottsdale again shows itself to be an incredible, world-class city.