At the beginning of 2019 we published the “Inclusive Design Together: Detroit City of Design Monitoring Report,” which showcases the progress of 62 inclusive design projects across the city, reaching 70,000 people in 2018. You can read it in its entirety here. This report includes real stories that embody the hardworking culture of our community and the values of our initative — diverse experiences, accessible opportunities, and collaborative relationships. While there is still much work to do, our coalition of 52 partners are building momentum and we want to give you insight into some of these important case studies.
MoGo Detroit has set a standard with their Adaptive MoGo program. Featured nationally as one of the leaders in equitable mobility, Detroit is further representing the possibilities of inclusive design. One specific story of how they have affected change focuses on Kyra, a 13-year old girl with cerebral palsy, who attended one of MoGo’s Demo Days on the Detroit Riverwalk. A staff member from Programs to Educate All Cyclists, a partner of Adaptive MoGo, found the right adaptive cycle (a recumbent tricycle) to fit Kyra’s needs, and she was riding within minutes of getting set up. This was her first time riding a bicycle - prior to Adaptive MoGo, she did not have access to the type of cycle that met her needs. The elation experienced not only by Kyra and her mother, but also by program staff and partners was palpable, with tears of joy in the eyes of many. Since then, Kyra and her mother have participated in other Adaptive MoGo Demo Days and rides and MoGo added 13 adaptive cycles to its fleet in May 2018. 53 reservation rides have been taken on the cycles, and an additional 93 rides were taken through four Demo Days on the Detroit Riverwalk. The story garnered national media coverage. The program not only helped increase access to Detroit’s outdoor activities, but also, by having the Demo Days and volunteers willing to inform people about the adaptive program, it increased awareness of the necessity of inclusive design for physically-disabled individuals. Detroit is one of the first cities in the country with adaptive alternatives in its bike share fleet. The project was supported by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Design and Access Fund and the DALMAC fund.
Visit https://mogodetroit.org/adaptive-mogo/ to learn more.
