Recommendations. Reflections. Advocacy.
Support Claire Note: Although this post specifies my Scottsdale home base, its cautionary message applies nationwide, urging increased driver awareness of mobility device users sharing the road. Dangerously so, it happened again this morning: Scottsdale drivers came close to hitting my mobility scooter while I was transiting a crosswalk. Many of these chronic traffic violators … Continue reading Scottsdale: Hell on Wheels
Support Claire Access advocacy works! Many thanks to everyone who contributed constructive comments regarding the need for ADA automatic front door openers at Regal Cinemas. After my original post (Where are the ADA automatic front door openers at Regal Cinemas?) and other collaborative calls for action, this critical accessibility feature was added in Fall 2018 at … Continue reading Regal Cinemas Bridgeport Improves Accessibility
Support Claire It's always uplifting to hear about a corporation putting people first. I'm happy to be the bearer of such good news. Since my post, LA Fitness: Why the “LA” Stands for Lacks Accessibility, first aired in February 2018 a lot has happened, good stuff, progress. And without a protest march, petitions or expensive lawyers. … Continue reading LA Fitness Tualatin Upgrades Accessibility
Support Claire The glorious wonders of Kartchner Caverns are accessible to everyone, including people who mobilize with a wheelchair, scooter or cane. People like me. I charged up my red power chair for spelunking into the unassuming Whetstone Mountains, and with the superb set up provided by the Arizona State Parks system navigated the depths … Continue reading Accessible Natural Marvels at Kartchner Caverns in Benson, AZ
Support Claire The Rio Salado Pathway connects you to some of Mesa and Tempe’s most scenic urban landscapes. Colorful to say the least, this wheelchair/scooter accessible pathway offers plenty of visual surprises. I won’t give them all away, but I will say this: within an hour we marveled at everything from gray-blue cranes perched on the banks … Continue reading Scenic Urban Accessibility in Mesa and Tempe, AZ
Support Claire As with all things, education has opened my mind, and exploration has opened my eyes. Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve has taught this Oregonian snowbird a lot about something I once only considered barren, dusty and dangerous: the desert. Thanks to two accessible nature trails, a brave new world has seeped into my soul. Where I … Continue reading Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Support Claire You can tell a lot about a city by the way it greets visitors with disabilities. Palm Springs does a good job in this regard at its Visitors Information Center North. Even though you may have sorted your desert paradise accessible vacation online, it’s still worth a twirl to this iconic building (if … Continue reading Palm Springs Visitors Center
Support Claire Making Accessibility Happen Every city wants your business. Let them know what you need and want in order to make that business happen. Here's what I sent to: City of Astoria - Mayor and City Council To the City of Astoria: The Astoria River Trail is a gem. A bit bumpy in places, … Continue reading Astoria River Trail
Support Claire Making Accessibility Happen Every city wants your business. Let them know what you need and want in order to make that business happen. Here's what I sent to: City of Scottsdale - Mayor and City CouncilScottsdale City Hall, 3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 City of Scottsdale, Clean and scenic, indeed! And … Continue reading Rolling Right Along in Accessible Scottsdale
Support Claire Making Accessibility Happen Here's what I e-mailed the corporate headquarters of LA Fitness (called Fitness International,) and why I say the "LA" in LA Fitness stands for "Lacks Accessibility". Copy sent to: Tualatin building officials, mayor and chamber of commerce, and The Oregonian. If you or anyone you know is experiencing similar accessibility issues … Continue reading LA Fitness: Why the “LA” Stands for Lacks Accessibility
Support Claire My husband and I were delighted and impressed by Superintendent, David Smith's response to our visitor comments regarding accessibility at Joshua Tree National Park. Check it out: Dear Ms. Szabo-Cassella, Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me about your recent experience at the park. Although I am always grateful … Continue reading Joshua Tree National Park Plans ADA Upgrade
Support Claire Greetings, City Manager of Palm Springs, David Ready, This winter marks our third time to Palm Springs as snowbirds. The warm California sun is helpful for the physical and emotional aspects of living with muscular dystrophy, a neuromuscular condition that has impacted my strength and mobility. There are several places in the valley … Continue reading Ruth Hardy Park: ADA Action Request