invisible disability: any mental, physical or neurological condition where a person's impairment is not readily noticeable to others; aka "hidden disability." *** TROVELOG *** For 50 years, the now ubiquitous wheelchair graphic has signaled that there is a place – whether that is a restroom, an elevator, an entrance, an exit, a seating area, a parking spot [...]
vanlife/ van life: an on-the-road lifestyle choice for travelers who find living out of a van to be a carefree, affordable option for visiting sites around the country; first referenced in a 2011 social media hashtag. *** TROVELOG *** Weaving through the stars of endless continents, exploring off-grid forests, rejecting working for a wage. No doubt, living life [...]
service animal: an animal trained to perform specific tasks for a disabled person; not an "emotional support animal" (ESA), which is a pet that provides comfort or emotional support to the owner and may not be trained. *** TROVELOG *** It is estimated that service dogs have existed since around 13,000 B.C., for many purposes — performing [...]
active commuting: cycling, walking, or running to and from work; such a daily routine provides a worker with the health benefits of physical exercise and lower transportation costs while benefiting the environment. *** TROVELOG *** Barely 3 percent of the American work force bikes or walks to work with any frequency, despite the obvious virtues: decreased risks [...]
range anxiety: the concern that the limited cruising distance of current electric cars -- and the lack of a charging infrastructure -- leaves drivers and passengers at risk of being stranded. *** TROVELOG *** The Bolt can travel nearly 240 miles on a single charge, according to General Motors. The company claims some drivers have traveled 300 [...]
dockless bikes: on-demand, shared bicycles accessed via an app and then unlocked with a code, allowing rides for an hourly fee. The locked bicycle is left anywhere in a public place. *** TROVELOG *** The Metropolitan Area Planning Council on Friday announced a new regional bike-share system, separate from the Hubway rental network, that will bring thousands [...]
