Accessible tour sites detailed

December 14, 2006

The Windy City is especially festive during the holiday season, and Joliet native Catherine Marsden wants everyone to know that having a mobility impairment should not stop families from visiting Chicago.
Marsden's 13-year-old daughter, Helen, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. This mother clearly understood how important it is to have essential information when traveling to tourist spots and other places in the Loop, suburbs and throughout the city.
In 2005, Marsden was pursuing a graduate degree from Roosevelt University in marketing. One of her projects was to design a Web site and determine the accessibility of five sites that she had traveled to with her daughter.

As a result of the project, Marsden launched a new interactive Web site called Accessible Chicago (www.accessiblechicago.org).
"Traveling to Chicago and the suburbs is intimidating for almost everyone who is unfamiliar with this area, but imagine if you had a loved one who uses a wheelchair. I knew there was a great need to develop a Web site that cuts down on the research of those persons who have a disability and want to have some fun in Chicago."
One of the highlights of this Web site is a feature called "Kudos and Tomatoes."
This is a blog that enables businesses and other users to determine customer preferences and attitudes.
The National Organization on Disability says 54 million Americans have an aggregate income that exceeds $1 trillion and has approximately $220 billion in discretionary spending.
Yet, companies and businesses have been slow in their attempts to attract customers with disabilities.
Accessible Chicago is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. One of the amazing items on this Web site is a five star rating for Precious Cargo.
The summary reads: "If you need reliable taxi service or on-going transportation to and from appointments, Precious Cargo in Joliet is a great source. Owner David Roberts provided such outstanding service for my mom, that I cannot recommend him enough."
Marsden's mother is Irmgard Slattery of Joliet. She used the taxi service.
His fares are $15 for pickup, and an additional $5 every mile.
Roberts is a certified medical technician and is state licensed. He has indicated that his vehicle can transport two people who use wheelchairs.
Most of the people with disabilities in Will County didn't know the service existed.
Roberts says that many of his referrals come from senior services, and he prefers a two-day in advance notice.
To contact Precious Cargo, call (815) 919-4197.
Valerie Brew-Parrish can be contacted at Val4info@comcast.net.