Last night there was a rally. On Nov. 28, 2023. It was very last minute. Almost the most last minute that it could be. I wanted to go to the rally in Washington on Nov. 14 … but inaccessibility was a factor. Yesterday’s rally, however, was totally accessible.

There are curb cuts everywhere. A curb cut is a dip in a sidewalk and curb that enables a vehicle to drive to a driveway, garage, parking lot, loading dock or drive-through. It is designed primarily for pedestrian usage and commonly found in urban areas where pedestrian activity is expected. But for me, as a motorized wheelchair, aka scooter user, it is essential to my navigating a space. It allows for me to ascend to or from a sidewalk without there being too steep of an incline.

We are blessed to live in a country with First Amendment rights. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Not only did I have the right to assemble but I was able to assemble, because the space was accessible for people who use motorized devices. I was just happy that I could be there, to be a presence last night. To count in these numbers. To show support.

I was not present at the rally in Washington … I could not be there because it was too last minute. The accessibility was nonexistent. That is why this time it was so important for me to be there. Just a few blocks away from where I live.

I drove there in my scooter. Completely accessible to me.

Rivka Herzfeld
Teaneck