The Association for Equal Access 

Who We Are

The Association for Equal Access (A4EA) was founded with the recognition that people with mobility disabilities would benefit from an organization to help them navigate local accessibility issues. Our members—who comprise a wide range of mobility, from those who rely on wheelchairs to those who only occasionally use canes or walkers, as well as caregivers and health aides—lie at the heart of our advocacy efforts. We focus on helping people with disabilities work directly with local businesses to remove barriers and improve accessibility in everyday spaces.

Our Mission

We are committed to advocating for people with mobility disabilities by providing resources and support to both the disabled community and the businesses that serve them. Our mission is to empower advocates to collaborate with businesses in the removal of architectural barriers, ensuring full access to public spaces and services. We work to create a society where accessibility is the norm and all people can fully participate in their communities.

Our Goals

The experience of many people with disabilities is that it is often not enough to send a friendly letter to a facility asking them to make the required accessibility changes. Without the threat of legal action, businesses often do not step up and fulfill their responsibilities under the ADA, even though this law has been in place for decades. Therefore, it can be necessary for a person with mobility challenges to utilize the powers provided to them by the ADA to try to influence or, when necessary, legally compel businesses to fulfill their obligations.

Our organization provides the tools and information needed to take action and work with local businesses to improve access. Unlike other organizations that focus on large corporations through litigation, we focus on the local level—helping advocates make a difference in their own communities. Our job is to provide the information necessary for people with disabilities to improve access at the local businesses they patronize every day. We feel we are helping people with disabilities empower themselves by taking advantage of the powerful tools provided to them by Congress.

We also educate businesses on the importance of ADA compliance and how making their facilities accessible can open doors to a new, untapped customer base. Through our efforts, we aim to create a future where accessibility is a given, not a privilege, and where disabled people are fully included in all aspects of life.

Our Achievements

Through tenacious grassroots efforts, A4EA members have been instrumental in achieving increased accessibility at many businesses and institutions, including schools, hospitals, and hotels. Establishments that have been required to make improvements because of our members’ efforts include household names such as McDonald’s, Citibank, Burger King, Citgo, White Castle, Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, Popeye’s, Allstate Arena, Dunkin Donuts, Loyola University, Starbucks, the University of Miami, Chase Bank, Callaway Golf, and hundreds of others. 

Our work has demonstrated the positive effects of accessibility improvements, not just on those with disabilities but on businesses and communities as well.

Team and Contributors

We have been fortunate to work with some very capable and determined people who are serious about making their communities more accessible. Our team is made up of dedicated advocates, legal advisors, and experts who share a passion for making the world more accessible. We are also supported by a network of volunteers and accessibility consultants who guide our work and ensure that we remain focused on the needs of the disabled community.

The Association for Equal Access continues to advocate for a world where everyone, regardless of their mobility challenges, can fully participate in society. Join us in creating a more accessible world for all.

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