Accessibility and Ancient Cities
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In Jerusalem, designer Coco Raynes talks with accessibility expert Dr. Avi Ramot about money, politics, culture, and the balance between authenticity and accessibility.
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Dr Avi Ramot, Israel Center for Accessibility
When asked to write an article for the Boston Society for Architecture regarding the accessibility of the ancient cities of the world, I was delighted. Accessibility has been a long time professional commitment and I was traveling to Jerusalem and Petra. What I did not know was that the following day, I would be in an accident, hence traveling with a broken leg, a cast, and a cane. It was becoming very interesting! No way to fake it. Instead, I was going to write about my daily reality.
I also decided to interview Dr. Avi Ramot, the distinguished expert on accessibility in Israel. I had met Dr. Ramot at the World Accessibility Summit in the early 2000s, in Rio de Janeiro—therefore it would be an easy conversation.
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At the Tel Aviv airport, I was directed to go through an expedited security line, reserved for handicapped passengers and families with children. Then, picked up by an electrical car, I was dropped at the luggage carousel, marked with special spots reserved for handicapped, which I had never seen before. I stood in it, to avoid the risk of being pushed. So far, very good!
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