Launch Recite Me assistive technology

Arcsno Logo
Donate

Week Without Driving Challenge 2022

96. Week Without Driving Challenge 2022 The Arc Amplified 1

Week Without Driving Challenge 2022

The 2nd annual Week Without Driving Challenge will be held September 19th ­- 25th, 2022.

The Week Without Driving Challenge is a Disability Mobility Initiative led by Disability Rights Washington (DRW) and co-hosted by various community partners across the state. The challenge invites elected officials and other leaders to forego driving for a full week to better understand the difficulty and challenges of accessing community programs and services, as well as school or work, and other activities when you lack the option of driving.

Participating in this challenge is also one way to raise awareness about the need for affordable, accessible and reliable public transportation and connectivity in city planning that ensures easy access to different modes of transportation.

Anyone can participate in the Week Without Driving Challenge, share their personal experiences and raise awareness about these topics.

Will you commit to a full week without driving?

Sign up to join the #WeekWithoutDriving at tinyurl.com/mvuymc5p.

 

Why is this important?

As shared on the DRW website: “If you can drive or afford a car, you may not understand what it’s like to rely on walking, rolling, transit and asking for rides. But for nearly a quarter of the people in our state — people with disabilities, young people, seniors and people you can’t afford cars or gas, this is our everyday.”

For individuals with disabilities, “access to transportation is consistently listed as one of the top concerns.” It is important that individuals have accessible, reliable and convenient access to goods and services, programs and places in their communities. However, that is too often not the case. There are far too many transportation barriers that impede access to the community.

Furthermore, it is critical that elected officials understand these issues as access to a vehicle and the ability to independently drive from one place to another is an equity concern. Many individuals do not have a driver’s license and many others lack access to a vehicle. DRW further elaborates on this tie to equity: “Those of us who can’t drive or don’t have access to a car are more likely to be disabled, BIPOC and immigrants. We are also elders and young people, as well as those who can’t afford to own or maintain a vehicle.” (Read more here.)

With a more personal understanding of these issues, elected officials and leaders who take part in the Week Without Driving Challenge can put their new knowledge to use through their legislative work and policymaking and by collaboratively planning vibrant communities that work for everyone.

YOU’RE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!!

 

 

Learn more about the Week Without Driving Challenge at disabilityrightswa.org/programs/disabilitymobility.

Additional Resources:

Local News Stories:

**********

Whitney Stohr is the Leadership & Independent Living Program Manager at The Arc of Snohomish County. She is passionate about advocating for medically complex children and children with disabilities and their families. She is especially interested in caregiving policy and advocacy. She is a mom and medical caregiver herself, who is energized by working closely with other parent and family caregivers. She lives with her spouse and their four-year-old son Malachi in Lynnwood. Connect with her on Instagram @rollin.w.spinabifida. Contact: whitney@arcsno.org.