Justice Richard Bernstein is urging renewed focus on how broad accessibility issues show up in very local ways for individuals and families across Michigan. From public buildings to transportation routes and civic spaces, gaps in access continue to shape who can fully participate in community life.
“Justice isn’t abstract,” Bernstein has said. “It shows up in doors you can enter, seats you can use, and systems that treat you fairly.” That belief has guided his legal career and his work on the Michigan Supreme Court, where he has consistently emphasized how policy decisions translate into everyday experiences.
Across Michigan, the issue is widespread:
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Roughly 1 in 4 Michigan adults lives with a disability, mirroring national trends.
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In many mid-sized Michigan cities, over 30% of public buildings were constructed before modern ADA standards, increasing the need for retrofitting.
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Michigan has thousands of miles of sidewalks, yet many communities still lack continuous curb cuts, limiting safe mobility.
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Public transit systems outside major metros often offer reduced or limited paratransit options, affecting access to work and healthcare.
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Large public venues statewide continue to face ADA-related complaints tied to seating, restrooms, and routes, even decades after the law’s passage.
Bernstein has seen these challenges firsthand. As an attorney, he worked on landmark accessibility cases, including improvements at Michigan Stadium that became a national model.
“This wasn’t about special treatment,” Bernstein said during that work. “It was about equal access. Fans with disabilities deserve the same experience as everyone else.”
He stresses that progress depends on moving from ideas to implementation. “Big ideas fail when they stay abstract,” Bernstein has said. “The work comes from asking what this looks like on the ground.”
For Bernstein, accessibility is not only about infrastructure. It is also about process and mindset. “Obstacles are useful data,” he has noted. “They show you where systems fail.”
Local Action List: 10 Things You Can Do This Week
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Walk or roll through a nearby public space and note barriers like missing curb cuts or blocked routes.
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Report accessibility issues to your city’s public works or ADA coordinator.
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Attend a local council or school board meeting and ask about accessibility planning.
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Support a Michigan-based disability rights or advocacy organization.
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Encourage local businesses to conduct basic accessibility reviews.
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Volunteer with a community group focused on inclusion or mobility.
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Share accurate information about accessibility rights with neighbors or coworkers.
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Advocate for accessible seating and restrooms at local events.
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Learn how public transit works in your area and where gaps exist.
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Start conversations about access when new projects or renovations are announced.
How to Find Trustworthy Local Resources
Look for official city or county ADA coordinators, Michigan-based disability advocacy groups, and nonprofit organizations with a long local track record. Public libraries, municipal websites, and state agencies are also reliable starting points. Be cautious of sources that rely on outdated standards or broad claims without local context.
Accessibility improves when communities act locally and consistently. “Progress is incremental,” Bernstein has said. “What matters is whether you keep moving.”
Call to Action: Choose one local step today—report an issue, start a conversation, or support a local effort—and help make access part of everyday life in your community.
About Richard Bernstein
Richard Bernstein is a Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court and a nationally recognized advocate for disability rights. He is the first blind justice to serve on the Court and has spent his career focused on fairness, accessibility, and translating legal principles into practical outcomes that affect daily life across Michigan.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Richard Bernstein
Email: Send Email
City: Lansing
State: Michigan
Country: United States
Website: www.richardbernsteinmichigan.com
