Here to There Studio Americana

In our final episode of Here to There, we say goodbye to Season One by commuting with policymakers including retired Met Council Chair Adam Duininck, State Senator Scott Dibble, and MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle. Each talks about his role and perspective on how we continue to move Minnesota forward to be the progressive state we aspire to be.

Transportation investments, infrastructure, and services have for many decades disproportionately benefited affluent white communities and harmed low-income communities and, relatedly, communities of colors. The results of these inequities on the health and wealth of these communities and their residents have been broad and enduring. In this episode, we ride along with Ibrahim and Zac as they commute from the Midtown Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis to the Amazon fulfillment center in Shakopee. Back in the studio, we're joined by Ravi Norman to discuss his perspective and work to revitalize North Minneapolis and far beyond.

For millions of Minnesotans with disabilities, lack of access to affordable, reliable, and convenient transportation options also means lack of access to jobs, education, healthcare, social services, recreation, friends and family, and community activities. As such, Minnesotans with disabilities face disproportionately high levels of unemployment, poverty, homelessness, institutionalization, and isolation. So, too, do we all miss out on meaningful relationships with and contributions by these members of our community. In this episode, we become the commuters and take an Accessibility Walk through Highland Park with disability advocate Kjensmo Walker. Back in the studio, we speak with Joan Willshire, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Disability, about the policies and technologies that can broaden opportunities for people with disabilities.