You're invited to join Independence, Inc. as we create a community focus group for people with disabilities, to identify and advocate for accessibility in the Lawrence Aquatic Center renovation plans!

Continue reading below and consider joining this input opportunity as the city's public meeting and survey periods have concluded.

July 11, 2024

Independence, Inc. is in the process of developing a focus group for people with disabilities, to gather, brainstorm and provide input on the redesign and renovation of the City of Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center.

In keeping with our mission to maximize the independence of people with disabilities through advocacy, peer support, training, transportation and community education, we feel that a focus group can be a valuable way to lend our voices, our knowledge and our lived experiences to the shaping of such an integral part of the community as the Aquatic Center.

Rarely will individuals, communities as a whole, organizations, planners or developers knowingly or willingly create barriers to equal access for people with disabilities.

Rather, all too often, the needs of people with disabilities to enjoy equal access, are simply misunderstood or not fully considered due to lack of knowledge.

As a service provider for people with disabilities it’s our job to educate, inform, ask questions and seek input from the experts in disability accommodations and access - YOU!

If you are interested in participating in this process - a locally historical process you might say, as the aquatic center hasn’t had a renovation in 3 decades (to put that in perspective, that’s only a few years post-signing of the American’s with Disabilities Act!) - please contact:

Daniel Brown, Independence, Inc. Core Services Manager

dbrown@independenceinc.org

785-841-0333 ext. 121

As the city's public meeting and survey opportunities have closed, joining a focus group is a fabulous way to still be involved in the process! We hope to hear from you!

July 11, 2024

Independence, Inc. is in the process of developing a focus group for people with disabilities, to gather, brainstorm and provide input on the redesign and renovation of the City of Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center.

In keeping with our mission to maximize the independence of people with disabilities through advocacy, peer support, training, transportation and community education, we feel that a focus group can be a valuable way to lend our voices, our knowledge and our lived experiences to the shaping of such an integral part of the community as the Aquatic Center.

It is not the norm for individuals, communities as a whole, or organizations and developers to purposely create barriers to equal access for people with disabilities. But people don’t know what they don’t know, and often don’t know what questions to even ask. As a service provider for people with disabilities it’s our job to ask questions and seek input from the experts in disability accommodations and access - YOU!

If you are interested in participating in this process - an historical process you might say, as the aquatic center hasn’t had a renovation in 3 decades (to put that in perspective, that’s on a few years post-signing of the American’s with Disabilities Act!) - please contact Daniel Brown, Independence, Inc. Core Services Manager at dbrown@independenceinc.org or 785-841-0333 ext. 121

For Information on the City of Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center Renovation Project, visit the City of Lawrence website:

https://lawrenceks.org/community-engagement/outdoor-aquatic-center-renovation-project/

We want YOU to join us as we create a community focus group, identifying and advocating for accessibility inclusions in the Lawrence Aquatic Center renovation plans!

Read below, consider joining a focus group and

CLICK HERE

to visit the City of Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center Renovation Page