The College of Education, in partnership with Experience Champaign-Urbana and Community Choices, has launched Experience Champaign-Urbana: Accessible CU, a new easy-to-navigate online directory of hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area that meet their accessibility needs, outlining the physical, sensory, cognitive, and accommodation-ready characteristics of local businesses.
The project, launched in 2021 by Emily Tarconish, Teaching Assistant Professor in Special Education, enlisted students to visit each business to assess accessibility, meticulously measuring the dimensions of dining tables, doorways, bathroom stalls, and fixtures. They noted whether the restaurant was on or near city bus routes, whether the entrance was on level ground, and whether accessible parking spots were available in its parking lot or within one block of the building. They also evaluated businesses for sensitivity towards sensory processing disorders such as lighting levels, surface textures, and overall awareness of the differing needs of disabled CU residents and visitors. The study also received direct feedback from people with disabilities in focus groups as part of the process.
The guide is available on the Experience Champaign-Urbana website.
