Access for disabled persons in our society is such a diverse theme that those of us with an interest have found ourselves fragmented into a variety of organizations, services and interests, each with a unique perspective.
ACCESS Spokane by design, is an unfunded coming together of groups and individuals, interested in accessibility for disabled people.
ACCESS Spokane:
promotes community education and awareness of disability issues.
advocates for the disabled, effecting positive change in the community.
is a collaboration and networking organization offering a unique resource for each other and those we serve.
promotes accessibility and, from time to time, will take on special projects
participants become informed and empowered while better understanding the basic nature of being disabled.
Participating Organizations
Coalition Of Responsible Disabled – aka CORD
Washington State Governors Committee on Disability Issues and Employment
Client Assistance Program
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Polio Outreach of Spokane
Senior Wellness
Spokane Transit
St. Lukes Rehabilitation Institute
Projects With Industry / S.L.Start & Associates
Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington
Spokane City Council
Artisan Ark
Spokane International Airport
Cancer Patient Care
Mission Ridge Retirement Community
E .W. Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Lilac Blind Foundation
Job Resource Center
PACE Services
Inland Medical & Rehab
V. A. Medical Center
Spokane Parent Coalition
Washington State Father’s Network
Easter Seal Society
Health Improvement Partnership (DASH project)
Custom Van & Truck
Rotary International
Save Our Summers
And numerous other organizations concerned about aging and disabled Americans
ACCESS Spokane meets regularly to discuss the positive issues of accessibility. Meetings are held at the Spokane Shriners Hospital in the fifth floor auditorium. All interested parties are welcome.
Call Dave Graham at (509) 255-6131 or e-mail david508@aol.com for meeting dates and times.
A few facts you should know:
According to a 1992 U.S. Census study, there are 49 million Americans with disabilities. That’s nearly one out of every five people.
As of 1994, 82% of the general population are employed. 52% of all disabled people are employed.
17.5% of Americans have some functional limitations. These might include, going up stairs, walking distances, lifting, hearing, seeing or having one’s speech understood.
Over age 65, more than half of all Americans have a disability.
29% of all American families have at least one member with a disability.
People with disabilities have the same range of preferences, perceptions, attitudes, habits, and needs as those without disabilities.
The hotel and hospitality industry was one of the first to implement the access provisions of the A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act). As a result, their revenues have increased 12%.
Some industries and advertisers cater heavily to the teen market which controls $67 billion in spending power. That is less than half that of the disability market. (Recent GAO report)
Your friends at ACCESS Spokane have presented these good reasons to accommodate the disabled persons in your community.
Since the Americans with Disabilities Act mandated this accommodation, businesses, churches and public facilities have realized that it is good policy.
With the aging of our American population, more people are going to need special help if they are to remain your clients, your customers or active participants in the American way-of-life.
Think of it this way. If we are not now disabled, we are only temporarily able-bodied.
ACCESS Spokane is publisher of the brochure “Air Travel Tips for the Wheelchair or Scooter User.”
This page is sponsored by: 
Polio Experience Network
Copyright © ACCESS Spokane, 1998, 1999. All rights reserved. Revised: August 11, 2000.
This page written and built by
David Graham.