Independence * Leadership * Education * Community
AAW News
Whether it is an announcement, our newsletter, or we are in the news. Check out how our model "Outdoors Access 4 All!" has been featured throughout the area, state, region, and nation.
In the News and ...
February 2025 - Updates
👏 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!
2023-2024 Impact Report
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
AAW in the News (2024)
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
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 in the News (2023 and past)
News (2023 and past)
In August, listen to Monica Spaeni, a guest on The Ideas Network on Wisconsin Public Radio https://www.wpr.org/disability-rights-advocates-work-toward-better-outdoor-accessibility
Monica discusses AAW’s mission and goals with Dan Small on Dan Small Outdoors Radio https://www.lake-link.com/dsoradio/ (See Tuesday, Aug. 23 starting at 31:22.)
In July 2022 a new AAW Host, Wehr Nature Center, was featured.
AAW and Wehr Nature Center was featured by Paul Smith: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-smith/2022/07/16/access-ability-wisconsin-secures-all-terrain-wheelchair-milwaukee/10067450002/
In May 2022 a new AAW Host, Lincoln County Sports Club, was featured by Brittany Dobbins Of Wausau TV.
AAW President, Monica Spaeni, is interviewed by Amber Miller from AARP WI about outdoors access.
AAW President, Spaeni discusses outdoors access in rural communities and how AAW got started with AARP’s Rural Lab Deep Dive representatives across the country.
