Another April Fools’ Day has come and gone. Brands and companies often use this annual tradition to engage with audiences by  making fake announcements, premiering fictitious products or taking part in other PR hoaxes. This April 1, your author came across two vertical-transportation (VT)-related jokes.
The first came from KONE, announcing its newest branch in “the beautiful city of Atlantis.” The post lauded the office’s “spectacular view” from its location “beneath the waves.” Accompanying the text was an animated graphic of a modern office tower with its podium on an ocean floor filled with sea coral. KONE’s message received more than 100 reactions on LinkedIn and playful comments, including “Any job openings in Atlantis?” and “Waterdraulic?”
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference pranked its social media followers by providing a trail update with an altered image of an escalator built into the rocky ridge. Along with the image was a post stating the Conference would be adding an escalator on Breakneck Ridge “for trail users who want a faster way up the mountain”. At the bottom of the text was an admission: “Just kidding, our trails are best experienced on foot #AprilFools.” They received excellent audience engagement with more than 80 shares on Facebook and nearly 1,890 likes on Instagram.
Actual mountainside escalators have been installed in several locations in China. A 350-m escalator up Tianu Mountain in Zhejiang province recently received mixed reactions on Chinese social media. Some complained that the installation took away from the area’s natural beauty, while others argued that the escalators would make it possible for young, elderly or disabled people to experience the views. In many situations, VT equipment is the difference between someone getting to participate or having to sit out. Accessibility solutions help make life more inclusive for all — and that’s no joke!
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