ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of August 2, 2020
Nora's Note
COVID-19 put virtual communication center stage, but for those of us working in strategic communications in the public sector, our spotlight is on the 20 percent of Americans who have disabilities that impact their use of computers and the internet. We’re called on to make sure information is accessible, voices are heard and participation opportunities are available—to everyone. The 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a good time to take a break from the run to digital to think about ways to remove barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities. Choosing fonts easily read by online Braille readers, meeting Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and making sure “Alt text” provides clear descriptions of photos and graphics will increase accessibility. But the biggest leap is getting the topic on the agenda of project kick-off meetings to make accessibility a higher priority in participatory community planning. #ThanksToTheADA
Transportation
Poor communities at risk as strapped public transit starts up again. Recent declines in ridership have left transit agencies in a deep financial distress, with looming threats of fare hikes and service cuts. The current state of affairs has also highlighted increased inequalities, with many lower-income households and minority groups dependent on public transportation for access to jobs, medical care and education. Agencies must engage these communities, take their input, ensure accountability and make meaningful changes as recovery continues. This article showcases what some U.S. cities are currently doing to make public transit more inclusive.
NY Post: COVID-19 threatens JFK revamp and LGA AirTrain, Port Authority warns
Fast Company: How old tires could make bike lanes way safer
GovTech: Contactless Transit Fare Systems Are in High Demand
Commerical Carrier Journal: 5 factors driving the digitization of transportation
MyChesCo: U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Key Resource for Rural Communities
Scientific American: Los Angeles Accelerates Efforts to Electrify Its Infamous Traffic
NY Times: How to Stay Safer on Mass Transit
Transport Topics: GM to Build Nationwide EV Charging Network
Energy/Environment
Overcoming Inequity With Energy Storage. The US has over 1,000 fossil fuel peaker plants in operation for use when energy demand is unusually high—about 1 percent of the time, which makes them costly to consumers. These plants are located disproportionately near low income communities, where constant exposure to the plants’ harmful pollutants can lead to long-term health problems for residents. Energy storage is emerging as a means to address this basic inequity. Read what one California utility is doing to ramp up this clean technology in response to citizen action against fossil fuels.
NPR: Air Quality Disparities Persist Despite Overall Gains
Power: Map Shows ‘Low-Impact’ Locations for Wind Power
ScienceDaily: Indigenous people vital for understanding environmental change
Public News Service: High Bills, Energy Demand During Pandemic Revive Call for Renewables
Axios: The long road to clean energy innovation
Yale Climate Connections: Michigan farmers earn income by leasing land for solar installations
Energy News Network: Illinois program aims to match seniors, teens to install smart, efficient devices
WWNY: Clarkson University combating harmful algal blooms in New York waters
Economic Development
How Covid-19 is shifting 'smart city' priorities. As cities adapt to a new normal, the implementation of smart city technologies no longer feels like “nice to have” for some time in the distant future. The pandemic has highlighted the need for accelerated digital city planning and greater communication with citizens for city life to be more sustainable. Read on to learn more about how cities across the world are adapting their approaches to smart city infrastructure development.
Gotham Gazette: Two Plans Map Path Forward for Devastated New York City Economy
CT Mirror: A digital welcome mat for business goes live, just in time
Planetizen: New York Updating its Comprehensive Waterfront Plan
Examiner News: Yorktown Seeks Business Renewal With Overlay Zone, Marketing Campaign
Greater Greater Washington: Not every obsolete office building is cut out to become apartments
Forbes: Happy Birthday U.S. Small Business Administration – A Reflection On 67 Years Of Service
New Jersey Business: NJ American Water’s New START Program May Create Up to 2,000 Jobs
City Limits: After COVID-19, NYC’s Future Depends on Bold Moves
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