At a press conference Thursday, Anderson Japanese Gardens unveiled the expansion of their Walkways for Everyone. David Anderson, Founding Family Member of Anderson Japanese Gardens, explained, “In 2018 we started the Walkways for Everyone by converting our crushed stoned pathways and washed out areas with concrete and it was so well received we expanded that program and just completed it here in 2021.”
During the press conference, RAMP recognized Anderson Japanese Gardens as a Disability Community Partner for their commitment to empowering the disability community with accessibility. Anderson Japanese Gardens requested an Accessibility Audit from RAMP to ensure its Walkways for Everyone were accessible and effectively communicated to the disability community. One in four individuals will experience disability in their lifetime. The opportunity to access all the wealth of assets our local environment and community has to offer is part of enjoying an independent lifestyle. RAMP’s mission is to build an inclusive community that encourages individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.
“As the Executive Director of RAMP and a member of the disability community, I am so honored to feel considered and included by Anderson Japanese Garden’s expansion of their Walkways for Everyone, shared Carolyn Morris, RAMP’s Executive Director. Morris continued, “When I received the email from Anderson Gardens describing their Walkways for Everyone I knew instantly they were an ally. Eric Brown, our Education and Advocacy Coordinator, worked closely with Anderson Gardens to ensure they were considering accessibility in every aspect of the way they operate. Together they reviewed their website and their communication regarding Anderson Garden’s accessibility. Anderson Gardens worked to improve accessibility in many ways and so I’m thrilled today to recognize Anderson Gardens as a Community Partner, as they seek to further RAMP’s mission of building an inclusive society where individuals with disabilities are empowered to live independent lives. Thank you for working to make your beautiful community asset accessible to us all.”
Mayor Tom McNamara was present at the press conference and shared, “On the surface, one could say converting crushed stone pathways to sidewalks may seem insignificant to most of us however these improvements may mean that someone new could visit the gardens for their very first time.” The Mayor states that Anderson Japanese Gardens, “looks at ways to make their garden better every single year and ways to make their gardens more inclusive for everyone in our community, for everyone that visits their space and everyone around the world. Thank you to Anderson Japanese Gardens and the Anderson Family for their work and thank you to RAMP for your continued advocacy to make sure that we here in Rockford are a more inclusive community.”
Businesses who wish to improve accessibility for their employees or customers can contact RAMP for free technical assistance. RAMP staff are also available to conduct an onsite Accessibility Assessment and suggest modification in written form, if desired, based on the Illinois Accessibility Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information about receiving an Accessibility Audit from RAMP, contact Eric Brown, RAMP’s Education & Advocacy Coordinator, at 779-774-1004 or ebrown@rampcil.org.