This past year has been an exciting first year for Able Amsterdam! What started as a little list of Amsterdam’s accessible places on my phone turned into a fully fledged website with 64 location recommendations, 17 blog posts, and — so far — over a thousand visitors per month. I’ve learned so much about Amsterdam, met some amazing people and had some special opportunities to contribute to improved accessibility.
Fun Facts: Able Amsterdam in 2019
- Launched in March 2019
- 7,500 unique visitors to date
- 64 accessible locations added
- 17 blog posts
- … and lots of exciting things to come in 2020!
To round off Able Amsterdam’s first year, I’ve come up with a best of 2019 list for one of my favourite sections to write: the blog. Here are the five most-read blog posts of this past year:
5. Reclaiming my identity and sense of purpose after my accident
Surviving a traffic accident was never going to be easy, but nothing prepared me for the subsequent internal struggle I’d face about who I am and what I want to do with my life. I spent about two weeks reflecting and writing this most personal blog post yet. Based on the messages that flooded in, it seemed to strike a chord with a lot of readers who survived something similar. Click here to read the full article.
4. 10 #BabesWithMobilityAids you should be following on Instagram
One of my favourite things about Instagram is its ability to connect people across the worldwide (disability) community. Hashtags like #BabeWithAMobilityAid have been a particular source of support and empowerment as I navigate the world as a twenty-something-year-old-mobility-aid-user. Click here to read about the 10 #BabesWithMobilityAids who motivate me to use my mobility aids loud and proud.
3. Mobility aids in the spotlight: A review of the Rollz Motion
Anyone who has been following Able Amsterdam for sometime now knows how much I love my Rollz Motion. Created by the Dutch company Rollz International, this award-winning rollator-and-wheelchair-in-1 has had a profound positive impact on my life. Click here to find out what makes this mobility aid so special.
2. 16 Things I learned from surviving a near-fatal road accident
On May 12th 2017 my life was turned upside down after surviving a hit-and-run in Cambodia. My accident cost me a lot, but also gave me a tremendous amount of insight and perspective. Click here to read about the biggest life lessons I’ve learned along the way.
1. What makes a toilet accessible? Important features of a wheelchair-friendly loo
At #1 we have a blog post all about toilets! It turns out accessibility features of a wheelchair-friendly toilet is a very popular search query across the web. In fact, this particular blog post received more hits than any other Able Amsterdam post this year and more than the blog page itself. Click here to end 2019 with a BANG by reading about the most important features of a wheelchair-friendly loo!
