Addressing Barriers

(Local View from 4'2, Lake County Press, April 3, 2026)

I had the great opportunity to talk with many of you readers at the recent Cabin Fever Reliever brought to us by the Two Harbors Community Radio- KTWH 99.5. I truly appreciate these interactions with you, the readers, because in the current world so much of the feedback writers or creators receive is virtual. In the virtual space it is hard to read the inflection and sometimes intent of the commenter and it is often a one sided conversation. But connecting in community at events or a local store, this is where the real connection happens.

Almost every reader that stopped me discussed my recent column about my horrific hotel stay during our state robotics competition. Many folks thanked me for my continued disability advocacy work and parted with words of encouragement.

After some self reflection, I am deciding to be bold and ask you all for something more. Accessibility is our work. It is the work of community, of everyone. So here are some basic steps and ideas to help make our community more accessible.

Ask curious questions of leaders, organizers, and business owners. If you see things like non paved accessible parking spots, ask if they know that this issue tells people who drive independently, especially, that they are not wanted in the establishment. Accessible parking without painted lines and access aisles are unsafe and create spaces where people are parked out of their vehicles. It can also be unsafe for transfers in winter months or during wet conditions.

When you are booking your next stay at a hotel or short term rental, ask about their accessibility accommodations. If you don’t see any pictures on their website of accessible rooms, pool lifts, or good pictures that show the true building, entry, or all restroom options, this is a problem and needs to be addressed.

When you go to a medical provider or a retail space and you see they have a lower ADA counter to help register you or make a sale, make a point to use that counter instead or ask why that counter isn’t always open first. If you don’t see a lowered counter, ask about their accommodations for shorter folks including people in wheelchairs.

When you go to events and parking is limited, don’t park up on sidewalks next to accessible parking. You are blocking access to someone else’s vehicle. And also don’t park on a fire lane or block fire hydrants. Typically people with disabilities are the last to get out of structure fires or smoke events. And speaking of accessible parking, again, if you are not a van and there are other accessible spots available, please go park there. Van Accessible spots have a wider access aisle so ramps and lifts can be deployed.

We are all in this together and I have found asking curious questions or sharing a story typically goes a long way. Using shame or hurtful words gets the cause nowhere. Once you have had a question session with a leader or owner, be sure to follow up after a bit of time. Don’t assume one conversation will cure the issue. Don’t assume because the barrier hasn’t been removed before your next visit that this leader or owner doesn’t care or is heartless. There are a lot of complexities when it comes to infrastructure and policy change. The words that come to mind when I think of my advocacy mentors are kindness, firmness, and consistency.

Let’s keep getting riled up, annoyed, and frustrated when barriers come our way. AND let’s all take action to make sure these barriers are eradicated each and every time, together.