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Jessica knew of my dream and fully supported it , however , it took her passing to find the courage to leave the stability of the school district and take a chance on my dream in 2017 . What I do , I do in honor of Jessica knowing that she is here with me supporting me and cheering me on to make my difference in the world .
Able Eyes and the need it addresses
Able Eyes is a virtual tour hosting website ( App coming soon ) functioning similar to YELP . A user can enter their location and category of interest to find virtual tours across the US ( soon beyond ). By having virtual tours accessible and easy to access , users can look at and explore a place such a restaurant , hotel , park , school , or any place open to the public from the comfort of home prior to visiting . Americans With Disabilities Act has certainly been a step in the right direction for people with physical disabilities gaining access to the community , however we have very few accommodations for people with invisible disabilities such as ASD , Anxiety , and PTSD .
The disabilities that benefits most from Able Eyes
Able Eyes really could benefit any person with or without disabilities however , the company was started from the heart of accessiblity and can help so many people feel comfortable both in their community and while traveling . Examples Include :
* Children and Adults on the Autism Spectrum ( 1 in 52 births )
* Children and Adults with
Anxiety
* Wheelchair Users
* Veterans with PTSD
* Children and Adults with IDD
* Elderly
* Mothers with Strollers
* Children and Adults with Hearing Disabilities
* And after almost 2 years in a pandemic , people are more understanding and empathetic of isolation and the anxiety of going out into the public / concerned about safety .
The types of businesses that can use Able Eyes
Basically any brick and mortar business open to the public or outdoor parks can use Able Eyes . Examples include :
* restaurants
* museums
* parks
* theme parks
* schools
* zoos
* community resources ( Arcs , food pantrys , disability services , veteran services , etc .)
* doctor offices
* hospitals
* dentist
* retail stores
* grocery stores
* therapy centers
Every moment is a proud moment - one
not more important than the other . For each new business we include in Able Eyes , I think " if even one child or person gets to experience this zoo , this museum , this park , or this college because of Able Eyes , then we are doing the right thing ."
The future of accessibility
I ' d like to think that Able Eyes is part of the future of accessibility . Imagine if EVERY business in the US had a virtual tour that visitors could view beforehand . Through this journey , I have met so many amazing people doing incredible things in the space of accessibility . If we could all come together to include virtual tours , audio descriptions , closed captioning , social stories , and accessibility evaluations in each business the world would instantly become more accessible to all .