AAW News

Meet Creighton with a newly acquired spinal cord injury and Mike recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

They are working with the AAW Team to figure out how to set up with an AAW outdoor chair in a blind for hunting wild turkey. Together we experimenting with what equipment to use.

Watch to learn more... 

AAW News Jan - Jun 2025

• AAW shares a special Valentine’s Day story about love and love for the great outdoors! (Check it out here)

• AAW is awarded as the 2025 Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Statewide Conservation Organization of the Year (Read more about it here!)

• Celebrating Life, Nature and Milestones with Access Ability Wisconsin! (See our most recent story here)!

Angela Fitzgerald Hits the Trails with Access Ability Wisconsin. See how our OA4A Model works at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Wisconsin. 

Access Ability Wisconsin's model includes social connections and the ability for individuals to gain access to  the healing benefits of nature at no-cost. Thus increasing independence and decreasing social isolation. 

AAW's mission is to provide opportunities to access outdoor recreational experiences for people with temporary or permanent physical challenges (whether acquired at birth or later in life) by promoting access, inclusion, equity, and healthy living. We provide for free (with a small refundable deposit and completed survey), an outdoor wheelchair and enclosed trailer that individuals can use to explore the outdoors.

A clip from News 27 of our 11th Anniversary - "Outdoors Access 4 All!" Family Adventure Day at Blackhawk Lake Recreational Area

Here's a video of our 10th Anniversary.

June 2025 Announcements

Happy Springing into Summer!

📊 Checkout our 2024 Annual Report 

🎉 AAW Honored with a Statewide Award 

🌿 Outdoors Access 4 All: From Inspiration to Action

Our OA4A initiative is transforming what it means to “access” the outdoors. Client testimonials are on page 24 of the Annual Report.  Even more recent is the following:

"I would've never been able to go the distance or over the terrain we did. I so enjoyed being out at the Lower Yahara and on the land and by the creek at the ranch. These were beautiful days celebrating my son's birthday and remembering my husband on the first anniversary of his passing. I highly recommend using this service and the chairs. You should not miss out on the experience!" -  Nancy S who hit the trails in Southwest Wisconsin..

All those smiles and stories like hers are why we do this work!

🚀 What’s Next: AAW’s Capital Campaign

As we celebrate our 11th year, we’re launching a capital campaign to raise funds for:

• A permanent storage, staging for trailer setup and maintenance, an office and training area, and

• An outdoor and environmental education center for all ages and abilities.

Your continued support will make this happen.

📅 Mark Your Calendar for September 13

Join us for our 11th Anniversary Celebration and be part of the future of Outdoors Access 4 All! 

“Family Adventure Day is about more than just fun—it’s about connection,” said Monica Spaeni, Founder and President of AAW. “We want people of all abilities to feel empowered to enjoy the outdoors. This event brings together families, communities, and partners to celebrate inclusive recreation and the joy of being outside.” 

👏 Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW) proudly acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Ray Anderson on his retirement from the Board of Directors serving as Vice President and Treasurer.

👏 A special shout out to Gary Stott, for over 7 years of service to AAW as Business Manager.

Their years of unwavering dedication, strategic leadership, and commitment to expanding "Outdoors Access 4 All!" have played a pivotal role in AAW's growth and impact.

Read more about Ray and Gary, along with an introduction to our newest AAW team members. And many stories from the outdoors!

2024 News

• In November, AAW was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Paul Smith: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-smith/2024/11/10/100-years-old-robert-ebner-of-cameron-says-lets-take-a-hikhows-how-to-celebrate-a-milestone-birthday/75946878007/

• In November, AAW was featured in the Lafayette and Barron County ADRC Newsletters

• AAW Press Release

• Barron County ADRC: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QktrCGLKvO1BOP_LDwrK5UK6Wx24QFRB/view

• Lafayette County ADRC: https://online.fliphtml5.com/amcii/mymm/#p=1

• In October, AAW and Milwaukee County AAW Network Partner Wehr Nature Center, was featured in OnMilwaukee: https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/wehr-nature-center-accessibility

• In May, AAW was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by Paul Smith, highlighting AAW’s 10 year anniversary: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-smith/2024/05/19/access-ability-wisconsin-pushes-to-provide-outdoors-all-terrain-wheelchairs-in-all-72-counties/73605456007/

AAW 2024 Stats

Our Impact Report

• Counties Impacted represent the number of counties in which AAW's goals for access, inclusion, and healthy

• living have been enacted!

• Community Impact represents the estimated number of people interacting with AAW, our Network Partners,

• and local community organizations drawing upon our resources, expertise, and "Outdoors Access 4 All!"

• model.

• Independent Adventures represent the number of reservations by individuals. Use at community events and

• activities tend to be reported in Community Impact Surveys.

• Days Reserved represent the number of days for reservations.

• 99% of clients surveyed report a significant increase in independence, participation with loved ones, and

• positive outlook along with decreased depression.

All impact numbers on the right reflect reported data from surveys and reservations from Aug 15 2023- Aug 2024