UPAS sends community leaders home with inspirational ideas

Over the last couple of years, many communities around the Copper Country have begun work toward developing more accessible spaces around town. The need for recreation and spaces in a community that is accessible to all people regardless of mobility is large. But through important conversations, community leaders can better understand how accessibility can impact anyone.

We’re inviting people here to get inspired and move past the summit to increase accessibility and be more inclusive. Today we have many examples of how folks can apply what they learn in their own space. But really, this summit is about action and building those relationships to set the base for more action in our community. – Rachel Pressley, Co-Chair, Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit

Today the Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit will end the two-day conference with awards for communities. Co-chair for UPAS Jenn Shaud says that the local area’s support for such efforts has been incredible to see happen. But there’s still more work to do. And she hopes participants at UPAS will take those lessons with them when thinking about future projects and programs outside of the Copper Country.

The other thing that we’re going to talk about today is resources in our community. So we talked about the clubhouse, where people with mental health issues can go and feel welcome and learn skills to get them back into the workforce. And that’s another component that we’ll talk about this afternoon, is resources for businesses, the tax incentives, and the emotional incentives to having people with disabilities working. – Jenn Shaud, Co-Chair, Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit

An important conversation the summit started the conference talking about language. It’s is important to use proper language when addressing accessibility and with the disabled community. Speaking respectfully adds Shaud, describes disabilities accurately.

It’s not okay to say I’m bound to my wheelchair. I use my wheelchair as a tool to get around. But I also drive a car, swim, and ski. I sit on the couch with my husband and my dog. So I’m not bound. So one of the things we talked about today is how going forward we can all use language that’s more respectful. And that’s helpful in our community to help people with disabilities feel welcome. – Jenn Shaud, Co-Chair, Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit

The Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit organized by the Accessible Keweenaw Initiative was funded by the Joe Freed Empowerment Fund through the Keweenaw Community Foundation. And invited several local organizations involved in accessibility and accessible recreation, including SAIL, the Disability Network of the U.P., Travel Marquette, Keweenaw Support 4 Healthy Minds, Equipment Loans of the Keweenaw, and the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation. Those interested in learning more about the Accessible Keweenaw Initiative can find more details here. Learn more about the Joe Freed Empowerment Fund here.