Community Advocates press accessibility

On My Own's Community Advocacy group. Back row, from left: Jennifer Gundy, Reyna Blakely, Erika Long, Jill Jenkins. Front row, from left: Lisa Long, Steve Moyer, Mary Feldmann. Gabe Franklin/Daily Mail

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On Nov. 22, On My Own's Community Advocate volunteers presented White Grill a plaque recognizing their remodel of the front entrance to make the building more accessible to people in wheel chairs.

"Before I became handicapped, I never thought about it," said Mary Feldmann, a Community Advocate member who uses a powered wheel chair.

Now, Feldmann drives across town to shop because the retailer closest to her home has narrow aisles that make getting around in her power chair difficult.

Community Advocates is a combined group of volunteers and On My Own staff that, "provides peer support and systems advocacy to make sure our community is accessible to people with disabilities," Jennifer Gundy said.

Gundy said the group was started about seven years ago shortly after On My Own moved to their current building and is based on On My Own's independent living philosophy.

Community Advocates perform a host of functions including:

* Evaluate a building's accessibility upon request.

* Offer classes on the Americans with Disabilities Act to business owners.

* Offer classes on accessible home design to housing contractors.

* Teach elementary students from 22 school districts about people with disabilities.

* Hosts wheel chair experiences for high school students so they learn first hand how difficult getting around can be.

* Work with the state and local government to increase accessibility of public venues.

Gundy said Community Advocates has worked with the city of Nevada on several projects including the sidewalk replacement near the high school and advocating for the extension of the sidewalk along Austin Street east of the viaduct, and adding accessible play equipment at Walton Park.

"The city and county have always been very helpful," Gundy said.

Gundy added the people without disabilities often use the accommodations meant for people with disabilities and for good reason. She gave two examples of a mother with several children using the larger wheel chair accessible stall in the restroom, or a mother pushing a stroller using the cutout ramps on sidewalks.

White Grill is one of several businesses that have been recognized by Community Advocates for their efforts to make their building more accessible.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network, 56.7 million Americans live with a disability.

For more information on Community Advocates, call Jennifer Gundy or Jill Jenkins at 417-667-7007.