Mission: "OUTDOORS Access 4 All!" - Access Ability Wisconsin, Inc., (AAW) is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Mission - AAW is dedicated to facilitating and providing the means for individuals with mobility challenges to access and enjoy our natural resources.
Over 5.7 million acres of public land are in Wisconsin. Over 500,000 people in Wisconsin have some sort of disability that limits their access to that public land.
With all of the proven benefits of outdoor recreation, everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors!
AAW works with -
1) individuals on their outdoor adventures. (Reserve a chair and trailer today!)
2) organizations to make their outdoor events and activities accessible. (Reserve a single trailer or an event trailer with multiple chairs!)
3) organizations who want to bring AAW's equipment to their community to increase outdoors access. This is done by partnering and the organization becomes a "Host". (See the Hosting page for more information.)
To learn more about AAW and the benefits of using the outdoor chair, check us out at www.AccessAbilityWI.org
Results: Goal - AAW is working to place at least one all-terrain outdoor wheelchair (OWC) with an enclosed trailer in each of the 72 Wisconsin counties for community use is our long-term goal. We just received our 23 outdoor wheelchair and are serving 12 counties.
Access Ability WI on WI PBS - ( https://www.pbs.org/video/angela-fitzgerald-hits-trails-access-ability-gcaar2/ )
Target demographics: those with mobility challenges; youth to 101; veterans; those with various backgrounds; and much more.
Direct beneficiaries per year: many including wheelchair users. Our lifetime stats include 500+ reservations, 3000+ days used and are serving in 12 WI counties. We have 23 outdoor wheelchairs with enclosed trailers.
Geographic areas served: Wisconsin and surrounding state
Programs: outdoor wheelchairs with a trailer for transporting to a location of choice. The person can access the great outdoors. The cost is free!
I was told about a group that can help those of us with disabiliies get out into the outdoors more. Access Ability Wisconsin was this group and I learned to be able to help others with disabilities enjoy being outdoors once again. They bend over to help all individuals with disabilities who want to hunt, fish, or just get outside with their families. I suggest everyone should go to their website and see how they can enjoy the outdoors once again.
Testimonials from our clients speak volumes. Read them here: https://www.accessabilitywi.org/testimonials We love our hosts too! Press coverage is positive. See the AAW team and network in action: https://www.accessabilitywi.org/see-us-in-action Our rewards are the smiles received when people with mobility issues are using the chairs to access the outdoors with their friends and family!
The volunteers at AAW are awesome. John is friendly and gives with all his heart to help checkout people for them to start their adventure outdoors and is there to hear their stories when he checks them in. All the board members work hard to get this expensive chair and trailer out to various counties throughout Wisconsin. I had knee surgery and was able to safely be outdoors in the woods during my recovery because of this equipment. Family and friends have used the equipment to access the outdoors. It has allowed freedom and dignity while they actively participate and experience the great outdoors!
Whether it is with friends, fur babies, or family, AAW allows others and me to experience the outdoors independently in serenity or with activities. Thank you volunteers for working so hard to make this expensive equipment free to use!
Access Ability Wisconsin is a great community resource. All-Terrain Wheelchairs are expensive but can allow people to experience freedom in inaccessible spaces. I have loved the possibilities that have opened up thanks to the free outdoor wheelchairs that Access Ability Wisconsin provides.
