Ranking Names Top Cities For Disability-Friendliness

by Shaun Heasley

DisabilityScoop.com

A new ranking breaks down which American cities are best — and worst — for people with disabilities considering everything from community-based services to health care and more.

Claiming the top spot on the list is Minneapolis.

Other high-performing locales include St. Louis; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Columbus, Ohio; and St. Paul, Minn., according to the personal-finance website WalletHub.

For the analysis, 182 cities across the nation were compared using 33 indicators of disability-friendliness across three broad categories — economy, quality of life and health care.

The report considered affordability, the employment rate and earnings of people with disabilities, physical accessibility, the effectiveness of the state Medicaid program and access to doctors and other health care professionals, among other factors.

WalletHub said it included the 150 most populous cities nationwide and at least two of the most populated places in each state. The findings are based on data from government agencies, disability nonprofits and other sources.

Minneapolis won high marks for the availability of quality, affordable medical care and wheelchair accessibility.

The worst performing city on the WalletHub list is Juneau, Alaska. Other poor performers include South Burlington, Vt.; Gulfport, Miss.; Pearl City, Hawaii; and Jackson, Miss.