June 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to the Disability Advocates of Kent County's monthly newsletter. Follow us for program updates, stories of impact, and upcoming events.

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What is an Accessibility Review? ?

Accessibility Reviews of places, spaces and events are conducted regularly utilizing the expertise of our "Test Pilots," individuals with disabilities who volunteer their time and unique perspective to assess and ultimately improve accessibility throughout our community.

The Test Pilots, with their wheelchairs, scooters, white canes, and service dogs, walk and roll through town with their cameras and clipboards, capturing features that enhance accessibility, as well as that which needs improvement.

Working in partnership with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., Experience Grand Rapids, local business, municipalities and others, information gathered by the Test Pilots is shared with the public to help lessen the uncertainty experienced by people heading to these various locations.

Recommendations encompass tips on accessible parking, pathways to venues, accessible entrances, restrooms, etc. and culminate in the development of navigator files, which are to be shared on the DGRI and Experience Grand Rapids websites where they can be accessed by residents and visitors alike.

Participation of the Test Pilots in Accessibility Reviews results in improvements to accessible features everywhere in our community.

What does a Test Pilot do?

• Accessibility Reviews – visit places, spaces & events– restaurants, offices, pathways, crosswalks, parking lots, area festivals – to document current accessibility.
• Event Attendance – volunteer at Disability Advocates’ events to increase awareness of disability issues and needed change. Training and support provided by Disability Advocates staff.
• Use Their Voice – speak out at a focus group or forum, serve on a committee, or participate in surveys to increase local representation of the disability perspective.

A Test Pilot Will Discover: ?

• If an entryway will accommodate a power wheelchair
• If signs are also posted in Braille
• If there is an ASL interpreter available
• If a?service animal is welcome?
• The TRUE accessibility of spaces, places & events across our community.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY REVIEWS

You Can Join Our Test Pilots!

Community volunteers in small groups are welcome to join Accessibility Reviews, as available.

To participate in an excursion with the Test Pilots, send a request to Courtney Redman [email protected]. Please allow?at least two weeks’ notice.

Stories of Impact

Learn about our Test Pilots Assessment of John Ball Zoo!

Upcoming Events

ADA Celebration! | Wednesday, July 24 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Don't miss this FREE, FUN, FAMILY event!? All your favorite activities from past years will be back in celebration of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ?

Click for more information.?

Invest In Ability | Thursday, November 7 6:00pm

Sponsorships are available for our signature event!

Click for more information.

Make Your Gift Today!

If you are interested in supporting our work at Disability Advocates of Kent County, make a gift today!?With the?help of contributors like you, we work alongside more than?7,000 people with disabilities each year.?That's a lot of impact, and we love you to join us!

Your generosity removes barriers from people achieving independence and leading self-directed lives.

Thank you!

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