Everyday tasks like taking the stairs or using public transportation are often taken for granted. For those with mobility issues, the lack of accessible transportation creates daily challenges.
Marisa Sheldon and Christine Happel focus on the importance of Ohioans’ independence and autonomy through their work with the Age-Friendly Innovation Center.
Accessibility is for everyone. While there is still work to be done, building an age-friendly future benefits current and upcoming needs for communities.
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Jen Schlegel has turned her experiences into advocacy. She dedicates time and effort to creating accessibility solutions through technology.
With Drive Ohio and her startup company, Beenabled, Schlegel uses her lived experiences to strive for an inclusive future and promote accessibility for all.
Schlegel highlights the power of diverse voices when shaping solutions, stressing that true progress requires collaboration at every stage – and not just participating in token representation.
“There is incredible danger in only hearing a single story, but there's incredible power if you have a collective of those voices” - Jen Schlegel
Everyone deserves the freedom of reliable travel without barriers. Improvement in transportation can significantly impact daily life, connect communities and enhance opportunities for change.