When you or a loved one needs to navigate life in a wheelchair or scooter, accessibility becomes everything. And beyond the challenges of everyday life at home (Can you get around your house? Can you get into the bathroom?), getting out to go anywhere for fun or a mental break becomes that much harder.
It’s been 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, requiring public accommodations, employers, transportation providers, and other entities to be accessible to people with disabilities. But accessibility in and around Louisville still has a ways to go to be compliant, says Liz Fust, founder and executive director of the disability advocacy organization Gathering Strength.
“The ADA is not fully realized anywhere,” Liz says. As a wheelchair user since she suffered a life-altering spinal cord stroke in 2006, Liz has often encountered spaces in Louisville that are supposed to be accessible, but lack adequate parking for her adapted van, or have a step to get into the building.
“If there’s one little step, you can’t get in,” Liz says. “If there’s one step, there’s one step too many!”
The ripple effects of accessibility
Encountering barriers like these is not uncommon for the many people living with disabilities in our community. According to the 2021 Kentucky Minority Health Status Report compiled by the state public health department, in 2019, 35.1% of adults in Kentucky had any disability (cognitive, mobility, vision, self-care, or independent living disability) — significantly higher than the overall measure of 26.7% for the United States. “This means one in three adults in Kentucky have a disability, which is one of the highest in the nation… The health disparities experienced by this vulnerable population are staggering,” the report continues.
Such health disparities include the fact that people with disabilities are three times more likely than their able-bodied peers to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, according to the CDC. And Kentuckians with a disability are more likely to be obese, isolated, and depressed, says the Minority Health Status Report.
What can help improve these poor health outcomes? It’s accessibility: being able to get around public spaces, which can help combat isolation; improving physical and virtual access to health care; having places where people with disabilities can exercise; and overall changing how we include the disabled community in the design of the built environment.
“Disabled people should not be forced to adapt themselves to our designs,” writes Alexa Vaughn, a Deaf landscape architect based in California who educates on inclusive design. “We must begin to view disabled people as human beings, deserving of spaces not only to access (at a bare minimum), but to thrive in and enjoy, beyond medical spaces.”
When accessibility is prioritized, everyone wins, Liz says. Individuals and families can experience better health, and the cost for society goes down. “Fully accessible services, transportation, housing, and public spaces unlock the skills, talents, and $500 billion economic power of people with disabilities, strengthening the entire community,” Liz writes on the Gathering Strength website.
To that end, Liz and her colleagues have worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Louisville since she founded the nonprofit in 2018. Led by people with disabilities — who make up at least half of its leadership — Gathering Strength has created a free online adapted exercise platform, improved local enforcement of accessible parking, and is expanding accessible housing options.
Gathering Strength is also holding an Adaptive Recreation Showcase in July, where participants can explore adaptive sports and leisure activities. “When people with disabilities become engaged in adaptive sports and recreation, they improve health, reduce isolation, and are more likely to become employed,” Liz says. “It may just look like it’s a fun thing for people to do, but it also has a powerful impact.”
Places to go and what to know
While the work continues to improve accessibility throughout the city, there is good news for those who want to get out and about in a wheelchair or scooter this summer: Liz and her team have compiled a list of accessible outings around town. Find a more comprehensive list — as well as details for the Adaptive Recreation Showcase, virtual adaptive exercise classes, and many more resources — at gatheringstrength.org.
Liz has four criteria with which she evaluates places to go: Parking, entering the building, navigating the interior, and accessibility of restrooms. She often calls establishments ahead of time to ask questions, or drives by a place to see what it looks like. “Is there parking I can use with my wheelchair, meaning van-accessible parking?” she says. “Is the parking within a reasonable distance you can make it in? Is it an older building that hasn’t been adapted? Can you get through and use the bathrooms?”
She also advises that portable aluminum ramps, sold online and in stores, can be used to traverse one or two steps. Property owners can keep a ramp available to bring out when needed, and wheelchair users who have a vehicle may keep one in their car or van for easy access.
Once you’ve gathered your intel, you’re ready for some fun at these recommended outings.
Iroquois Park and Amphitheater
Take in a concert or movie at the amphitheater, wander along the trails, or bring the grandkids and play at the accessible playground.
Insider tips from Liz and her team: The top of the park was redesigned with input from people with disabilities and has a great view of Churchill Downs and downtown Louisville. If you’re going to an event at the amphitheater, get there early to get a parking spot.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the river view, or see the sculptures on the Public Art Walk. Check out the new PlayPort at 1105 Rowan Street, which was built to be accessible to all. Those with vision impairment can check out the tactile signage to enhance their visit.
Insider tips: There are small parking lots periodically, but as always, few accessible spots. Go at an off time or get there early if you are attending an event.
Delight your senses as you move through the beautiful flowers and plants, water features, and sculptures.
Insider tips: Ample parking lot. The door to the main building is heavy. Bathrooms are accessible.
Enjoy the animals! You can also access certain areas of the splash pad and playgrounds. There’s even an accessible riding space on the carousel that can be accessed using a ramp provided by zoo staff.
Insider tips: Several family bathrooms are available, as are wheelchair and scooter rentals. It’s hilly, so if you’re in a manual chair, you may want to go with someone who can help. If you have an older power chair, you may want to bring your charger along so it can be a more enjoyable day.
Take a 30-minute drive south of Louisville to enjoy the huge works of interactive art, the sensory garden, and a breathtaking view above the treeline from the accessible Canopy Tree Walk. You can also reserve a GRIT freedom chair (think: mountain bike of wheelchairs — an upper body workout!) to access a variety of terrain.
Insider tips: It has big, accessible bathrooms. They have sought input from people with disabilities to build accessible play areas for people of all ages.
Community Fitness and Wellness gym at UofL Health – Frazier Rehabilitation Institute
This isn’t so much an outing just for fun, but it deserves a place on this list because of the tremendous health benefits it can offer people with disabilities. This fully accessible fitness and wellness gym has specialized equipment for wheelchair users. It functions with memberships like most typical gyms.
Visiting Downtown
The main challenge here is parking. Liz recommends going early or at an off time when more accessible parking spaces are available, and then visiting a few different places. You can get around on sidewalks to the Slugger Museum, Angel’s Envy Distillery, the Kentucky Science Center, the Muhammad Ali Center (which has its own parking lot), and more. Refuel at Mussel & Burger Bar, Bristol Bar and Grille Downtown, or Proof on Main.
Peruse the collections and end with lunch at the cafe. Go on a Sunday for free admission.
Insider tips: Companion care bathrooms are available. The building itself is very accessible, but the parking is very limited. Consider going at off-times and take a friend in case you need help parking in a non-accessible spot.
There are several accessible restaurants you can visit around town (again, see more ideas at gatheringstrength.org), but this one particularly stands out because of its large space that is easy to navigate with a wheelchair. And Liz says, “A lot of people with disabilities frequent this business, so they are pretty familiar with our needs.” She likes to come here for good pizza and beer.
Insider tips: There is a good amount of parking in the parking lot. If you go on a weekend, you can use adjacent Spalding University parking lots.
By Jessica Alyea | Photos submitted
P.S. You may also enjoy A Great Travel Idea for Caregivers
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