Reno, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Older adults in Washoe County faced isolation and limited access to nature due to mobility challenges and costly adaptive equipment. To address this, the Foundation purchased five all-terrain wheelchairs and launched an adaptive walking program, making the chairs available for free at multiple parks. A marketing campaign spread awareness, and older adults now use the chairs weekly to explore trails they once could not reach. The project sparked new partnerships and plans for more adaptive gear. One participant shared, "I didn't think I would ever see that many different species of birds again," after using a chair to enjoy birdwatching.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Hastings, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Older adults and visitors using mobility devices often waited outside historic buildings because portable ramps were impractical during events. To improve access, the park installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk linking five buildings and hosted a ribbon-cutting with volunteers assisting in landscaping. The change replaced temporary ramps with permanent access and sparked momentum for additional projects, including a village-wide walking system. One retired teacher said, "It was a joy to be able to tour with the Commission on Aging. The ramps were wonderful."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Providence, RI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Community Libraries of Providence addressed a safety gap that kept some neighbors from participating in outdoor library programs. At Knight Memorial Library, the ramp and stairs leading to the lawn lacked secure handrails, making access stressful for older adults using canes, walkers or wheelchairs. The project installed new handrails along both sides of the accessible ramp and repaired the handrail on the street staircase, building on earlier accessibility improvements. A patron wrote that she had stopped attending evening Spanish classes because she was afraid of the stairs. The improvements reopened outdoor programs to neighbors with limited mobility and advanced the library's longer-term accessibility goals.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.