If you live with a disability, your location matters a lot when it comes to quality of life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four American adults has a disability that affects their major activities. WalletHub has made a list of cities ranked by how friendly they are to people with disabilities. The study they conducted looks at many different metrics, such as physicians per capita, the economic opportunities for those with disabilities, and so on. The idea is simple; those with disabilities benefit from many of the same things as those without disabilities, but the priorities are generally different. Some parts of the US may not provide the same quality of life for people with disabilities due to a lack of experienced doctors, a lack of employment opportunities for the community, or a high cost of living. This is why if you struggle with a disability in your current location, you could benefit from moving somewhere where the community offers a better life.
At the top of the list, Overland Park, KS is the best city in the US for people with disabilities. The next four cities were Scottsdale, AZ, Peoria, AZ, Tampa, FL, and St. Petersburg, FL. These cities scored highest overall when all 21 metrics were taken into consideration. The first thing you may notice is that these cities all have warm climates. Indeed, weather was taken into account for the study. It’s important to keep in mind that the list ranks America’s 150 most populated cities. Unfortunately, there is a long way to go towards making America’s metropolitan centers more friendly for those with disabilities, but the good news is that many parts of the country, particularly the heartland, are improving.
