When America Walks joined forces with Incapacity Rights Washington to prepare the Week With out Driving (WWD), the aim was easy but profound, to assist resolution makers expertise their group as a nondriver.
What we discovered is that this expertise didn’t simply create understanding; it has sparked motion throughout the USA and past. Right here’s how WWD has advanced since going nationwide final 12 months, what we’ve achieved, and the place we’re headed as we set our sights on 2025!
Why Week With out Driving Issues
Do you know that almost a 3rd of People can’t drive? Whether or not on account of age, incapacity, or monetary constraints, hundreds of thousands of individuals depend on strolling, rolling, biking, transit, or another approach to go the place they should go. However many years of car-dependent insurance policies have left most of our communities unprepared to serve nondrivers. Cracked sidewalks, rare buses, and harmful roads hurt all of us, however particularly susceptible street customers like these with disabilities, seniors, kids, and low-income households.
The Momentum of 2024
In its first 12 months, WWD garnered help from 953 organizations and people from 41 states and resolution makers throughout 41 states. However in 2024, participation elevated dramatically to a complete of three,595 organizations, resolution makers and people collaborating! This included:
Native organizations and organizers, representing all 50 states
Resolution-makers from 45 states, together with elected officers from the state and native stage, public sector leaders, and professionals
Particular person group members from 46 states
Considered one of WWD’s standout successes in 2024 was its capacity to deliver native tales to a nationwide viewers. From small-town newspapers to on-line platforms, media protection helped shine a highlight on the boundaries confronted by nondrivers. Interviews with members highlighted the whole lot from inaccessible bus schedules to the fun of exploring neighborhoods on foot.
What fueled this development? A mixture of strategic outreach and grassroots power. With the assistance and steerage of Incapacity Rights Washington, we launched a devoted web site, distributed flyers and stickers, and partnered with nationwide organizations to amplify the marketing campaign’s attain. We additionally offered funding to native organizations, empowering them to host impactful occasions of their communities.
Partnerships performed a key function. By collaborating with native and nationwide organizations, organizers related communities with decision-makers in ways in which impressed motion. Because the nationwide chief, we have been capable of present coaching webinars to over 150 members to trade greatest practices and tailor-made technical help that supported 35 organizations in internet hosting campaigns throughout 25 states.
Insights That Shift Views
WWD members didn’t simply face hurdles like unreliable buses or inaccessible sidewalks, additionally they skilled a deeper understanding of how these boundaries have an effect on every day life and mirrored on how their lives would look in the event that they couldn’t drive. As one participant shared, “This expertise has made me more and more sympathetic with individuals who haven’t any different choice than to stroll, particularly these with disabilities. Grocery purchasing whereas carrying 30 kilos of meals for 2 miles? Almost unimaginable.”
A public sector chief wrote: “It makes me actually take into consideration the quantity of area and cash we dedicate to vehicles/automotive drivers, and the way little area, infrastructure, and cash we spend serving to individuals. It additionally makes me take into consideration how the design of our roadways prioritizes the velocity of automobiles, fairly than the security of individuals strolling, rolling, biking, and utilizing transit.” And an elected resolution maker shared her expertise: “I believe a Week With out Driving foregrounds the entry points we’re conscious of however maybe don’t prioritize. I hope that we are able to use the main target of a Week With out Driving to commit to alter within the close to time period.”
These reflections underscore WWD’s energy to reshape priorities. In reality, 75% of collaborating resolution makers expressed curiosity in becoming a member of once more subsequent 12 months, demonstrating the marketing campaign’s impression on people.
Planning for a Larger, Bolder 2025
Constructing on 2024’s momentum, America Walks is setting formidable objectives for Week With out Driving 2025. Right here’s what’s in retailer:
Increasing outreach: We’ll goal elected leaders, public businesses and grassroot organizations in states that haven’t but joined the motion.
Strengthening partnerships: Collaborating with teams exterior conventional transportation areas will spotlight the connections between mobility, well being, housing, and the surroundings.
Creating new sources: Toolkits for small companies and technical help for public businesses will guarantee even broader participation.
WWD isn’t simply an initiative; it’s a motion. By specializing in native actions and partnerships, we’re proving that change in our transportation system is feasible. And by equipping native organizations with the instruments and sources they want, we’re making a ripple impact that extends far past a single week.
Be a part of us subsequent 12 months for the third nationwide Week With out Driving. We’re dedicated to constructing a future the place everybody, no matter their capacity to drive, can transfer safely and freely by way of their group. Collectively, we are able to create communities which are protected, accessible, wholesome, related and sustainable for all.
