It Sounds Like You’re Trying to Change People’s Values

“So, it sounds like you’re trying to change people’s values.”

Yes.  That’s exactly it.  It’s true…I asked some community members to help start Rochester Accessible Adventures in 2015, to change the way things have been, to move outside the box, and yes, to change people’s values.  You see, it is NOT right that just because something happens to you or a family member or a friend — a bad car accident, a stroke, a genetic mutation, a slip and fall on the stairs, someone else’s mess-up, an errant dive in the water, a war injury, the onset of a medical condition you didn’t know anything about — when you want to try to be a part of some of the simplest pleasures in our communities — community centers, parks, kids’ play centers, kayaking the areas abundant waters, summer camps, camping, playgrounds — you can’t because you can’t get in or your can’t utilize the services once you are in, or you just don’t feel welcomed and invited there.

One out of four people live this experience — where recreation and play are not part of their everyday option.  1 out of 4.  Maybe this is your reality.  Maybe it is the reality of someone you know.  The truth is, disability transcends all other categories – age, political persuasion, race, income level, titles and degrees earned.  Disability is not an anomaly.  It can absolutely impact EVERY one of us, and yet, we have not created a culture that welcomes us if we have a disability diagnosis.

Our communities need to be rebuilt — restructured in a way that values each of us no matter what our diagnosis may be — visible, hidden, on a spectrum, progressive, permanent.

Today, I am more determined than ever.  Why?  Because we CAN change people’s values.  We can invite fellow community members to understand the problems so that they are willing to be a part of changing the systems that have kept people with disabilities from having the choice to participate in a community’s recreation opportunities.  You know what people do understand?  That brothers and sisters should be able to participate in recreation, camps, games, together.  That a mom who uses a wheelchair should be able to play with her children on a playground.  That families should be able to attend and feel welcome at festivals and the local gyms and climbing walls and golf courses and swimming pools.   And even a person who doesn’t have firsthand experience with disability can understand that of course people should have access to these recreation and wellness opportunities.  Often, the next question is “So what is keeping them from participating?”

And to that I say “Come, learn, and be a part of the solution!”

Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA) is dedicated to changing the systems around access to recreation and wellness. In our first three years, we have established that our model of inclusion services works to address the real-time needs of recreation businesses.  Our Community Health Inclusion initiatives are contracts with businesses, municipalities, and schools to provide assessment and training paired with on-going outreach and support, providing a unique multi-layer approach to ensure sustainability and long-lasting change.  For a recreation business, this kind of support is crucial to their success.  Evidence of real change can be seen in our Community Health Inclusion initiatives like Erie Canal Boat Company of Fairport, NY (opening a 2nd accessible and inclusive site in Lockport, NY!), Healthy Highway, Genesee Valley Park Sports Complex (City of Rochester Recreation), Pickled Power, Hamlin Recreation, School 29, SUNY Brockport Recreation and Leisure Department, and Victor Parks and Recreation.

I am very excited that we will be rolling out new initiatives in 2019-2020.  Each of these will be yet more evidence that we can positively impact how people value each other.  We are helping our villages, towns, and cities to become communities that hold each member in high regard, and in so doing, make investments to ensure that both physical infrastructures and social inclusion are at the very foundation of their operations.

What is truly key is that EACH OF US can contribute to amplifying the impact of RAA’s work.  I am so incredibly grateful for the volunteers, financial supporters, and our CHI initiatives for investing time and resources to creating change for the betterment of us all.  We can not do this without you!

This May, we are rolling out a campaign to raise funds to support our new initiatives.  You can help us change people’s values during our Spring Into Accessible Adventure with any level of gift. If 1,000 people give $10, we will reach our Spring goal!  Every penny goes to creating true change!

One last thing.  I heard this story on NPR as I was on the way to a conference, about the cows out in the field*.  Maybe you know about this idea.  How we pass them by —  brown cows, black cows, black and white cows, white and brown cows.  No media. No attention paid.  Nothing noticeable.  Until one time there was a purple cow.  And suddenly, the usual passersby notice.  And they stop, and stare, and are amazed and curious.

Thank you for your continued support as we, together, get our community to stop, stare, be amazed, and get curious about creating true Inclusion in recreation!

an interview with Seth Godin

Anita O’Brien, M.A., CTRS, is the executive director of Rochester Accessible Adventures.  She immensely enjoys engaging the community in efforts to create true choice in recreation for children and adults with disabilities.  With Spring creeping every so slowly closer, Anita looks forward to the summer, to more accessible adventures, and to more time on Lake Ontario and on the trails with her family.