MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Marquette County continues to become more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Since 2019, the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) has partnered with Travel Marquette to create and regularly update a guide for handicap accessibility in the area, called the Guide to Access.
“Travel Marquette realized there wasn’t a lot of information available about what was accessible and what wasn’t,” said Jamie Glenn, an ADA coordinator and accessibility advocate at SAIL. “They said, ‘we need more information for tourists and community members.'”
Over 100 Marquette County restaurants, outdoor recreation facilities, hotels and more, have been evaluated by SAIL for their handicap accessibility over the years. These locations are included in the Guide to Access with their doorway measurements, available handicap parking spaces, ramps, and elevator access. Each place will soon have new stickers on their doors to establish this level of assessment.
“We decided on doing something once people had gone through the assessment process,” said Susan Estler, the CEO of Travel Marquette. “They would end up getting a sticker that was co-branded between Travel Marquette and SAIL.”
Pure Michigan has helped through this process, providing grants that have expanded the program.
“We did receive a grant from Pure Michigan to do these last assessments,” said Estler. “We also have a grant from Pure Michigan to do 360 videos that show people what their surroundings are like; if it’s going to work for them as far as being able to get in and out of the building.”
The guide and more can be found on upsail.org and travelmarquette.com.
