Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
Near Wooster in rural Wayne County, IncludeAbility operates a barn-based lending “library” that provides ramps and mobility gear to local residents. Founder Julie Hartzler started the nonprofit after her daughter Michaela was born, and the program now serves neighbors who need temporary or occasional access to adaptive equipment.
The lending shelves inside the barn hold walkers, lifts, portable ramps, reading machines, and wheelchairs for hiking, basketball and daily use. Residents complete an online form to borrow items at no cost, and those who can’t travel can request delivery, installation and pickup for a flat $50 fee.
Michaela’s experiences highlight why this matters: everyday activities—from visiting friends to traveling for sports—become problems when buildings and homes aren’t accessible. The story notes that most housing isn’t wheelchair-ready, and even school safety planning can overlook People with Disabilities; IncludeAbility worked with Wooster City Schools on an evacuation chair and plan that improved belonging for students.
The piece closes on a forward-looking note: IncludeAbility pairs its lending library with partnerships that help local businesses and towns remove access barriers, while showing how the right equipment lets young people like Michaela participate fully in community life.
Read the Full Article: Outside Wooster, a ‘library’ lends wheelchairs and ramps to people with disabilities
by: Richard Cunningham
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