Our History
Members of the Mobility Impaired Committee
Founded in 2015, the Mobility Impaired Committee’s (MIC) goal is to facilitate life in the Village of Garden City for residents with physical challenges. Handicapped parking, ADA bathrooms and wheelchair access are some of the issues our committee works on with the village and business community.
The MIC was started by local activist Gerry Kelly. Kelly, diagnosed with Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, has spanned the gamut of walking with a cane, a rolling walker, and now a wheelchair and, therefore, became all too familiar with public access limitations in our community. He launched one of the MIC’s first projects: gaining handicap street spaces and full handicap spaces with aisle access in the Garden City business district, 7th Street. It was a long fight, but the MIC succeeded. Three new handicap spots were added on the street and access aisles were added to the spots in the parking lot, ensuring that people can safely enter and exit their vehicles with enough space for mobility devices.
Handicap street sign
Garden City Pool employee and the limited mobility fob gate, courtesy of the Garden City News.
Throughout the years, the MIC has been instrumental in increasing access to the Garden City Pool for mobility impaired residents. We fought for a new ADA bathroom to be created by the Adult pool to save precious steps for our seniors and disabled population. Additionally, the MIC spearheaded the addition of a dozen new handicap spaces in the pool parking lot; as well as, an mobility impaired fob gate and a chair lift.
Throughout Garden City, the MIC assesses access and strives to improve it for the betterment of all residents. Further successful projects include renovating the Garden City High School’s bathrooms between the gym and auditorium to meet ADA standards, the incorporation of handicap swings at all Village parks, and the Garden City Public Library entrance automatic door sensors eliminating the need to find and push the handicapped buttons.
One of our current focuses is Village Hall. We aim for all residents to be able to safely use the front door of the Garden City Village Hall. As of right now, the only accessible entrance is in the rear; this extra distance places an unreasonable burden and further risk on those with already limited mobility. When the front entrance was renovated in 2020, bringing it up to ADA regulations was deemed too costly. The MIC proposes that these needed improvements be completed swiftly.
The MIC is a local advocacy group working to improve community access for seniors and those with disabilities. When all people can safely participate in community, the whole community benefits. Please see our current priorities, and let us know if you're interested in getting involved or in need of resources.