‘Accessibility is Beautiful’ event held in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Members of RAMP, Real Access Motivates Progress, gathered together at Times Squared STEM Academy in Providence to raise awareness about accessibility in the state of Rhode Island.

RAMP is a nonprofit focused on positively advocating for accessibility and inclusion.

“Disability is the largest minority in the world, we are the only minority that does not discriminate across the board,” President, CEO, and Founder Tina Guenette said. “We are the only one that anyone can join, at any time. I joined in five minutes when I suffered a spinal stoke nine years ago.”

Volunteers gathering for a picture at the RAMP ‘Accessibility is Beautiful’ event in Providence.

The group hosted its annual Accessibility is Beautiful event on Saturday, with state and local officials showing up in support.

“What we do here is we invite businesses to come and visit all of our disabled vendors here at the event to learn about accessibility, to learn that we can do what everybody else does: we are creative, we are outgoing, we can be hirable, we are talented,” Guenette said. “Just showing everyone what the disability community is all about.”

Ramp uses the acronym “I.D.E.A.” – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.

Volunteers at the event said they were “humbled” to be a part of the RAMP community.

“This event is just an incredible experience for anyone in the disabled community,” Board Member Diana Kamada said. “Disability is not often celebrated. As the title suggests, we know that accessibility is beautiful. To be here with other members of the disability community, showing off our work, our art, our craft, it is really a wonderful experience.”

Local businesses like The Steel Yard, which makes custom metal works and fabrications, have been contributing to the accessibility solution in the Ocean State.

“We did our first Tina’s Table for Kennedy Plaza in the city of Providence,” Steel Yard Executive Director Howie Sneider said. “We have four more that will be unveiled this fall in East Providence, Bristol, North Providence, and Smithfield. All over the state there will be more accessible amenities for the community.”

In the state of Rhode Island alone, 40% of people have a mobility aid. This includes walkers, wheelchairs, and canes.

“There are so many people that use a mobility aid” Guenette said. “We need to be accessible and ready for them.”