Running recon. That's what my kids and I call it. Despite using a walker, I love to travel and visit new places. When we want to sightsee or explore, we can't always find enough information ahead of time to plan for my mobility limitations.
We often have to take our chances, my kids running ahead to see what barriers there are — stairs, long steep ramps, revolving doors. Many times we've had to change course or sometimes go home when I can't gain access.
Too many public venues and spaces don't communicate their accessibility features well, and some not at all. Living with an ambulatory or mobility disability has many obstacles; a lack of basic accessibility information should not be among them.
At Within Walking Distance, we advocate for comprehensive information so people with ambulatory and mobility disabilities are able to be exactly where they belong: everywhere.
When we visit a new city, we look for three things on every venue's website: a clearly labeled accessibility page, photos or floor plans showing entrances and routes, and a real-person contact — not a fillable form. When all three are present, we plan with confidence. When even one is missing, the trip becomes a gamble.
Within Walking Distance is in Milwaukee! Check our website for accessibility information on the city's many exciting cultural spaces, including the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Fiserv Forum — two venues that are setting a quietly excellent standard for what published access information should look like.