Thank you for writing to Accessible Chicago. I am sorry that you had such a rotten experience with the Shedd Aquarium. We did not find the staff there very helpful either, and the elevator breaking down was pretty tough since it forced a long line on the one working elevator at the time. I reviewed this Museum along with the entire Museum Campus. <http://www.accessiblechicago.org/museum_campus> I also called their main number to see if there is any new features for accessibility at the Museum other than the accessible entrance at the side of the museum and the elevators around the underwater viewing area and main floor. There is not a specific number to call regarding accessibility issues. One idea I had for you is to take an accessible taxi for you and the kids so that you could be dropped off at the right entrance. This would eliminate finding accessible parking and then having to travel some distance to the accessible entrance with the kids. Investigate the Paratransit Taxi Service <http://www.accessiblechicago.org/taxi_services> using the link I provided and see if they can at least eliminate finding parking for your family. A drop off at the door would probably help.  I would advise going to any Chicago Museum before 12:00 noon preferably on a Sunday when the Chicago Bears do not play. It is the least crowded then.  Good luck to you, and write to me on how it worked out. Thank You, Catherine Marsden Accessible Chicago

Hello.  I wanted to first say thank you for all your hard work on the accessible chicago site.  Very helpful.  My husband has a chest level paralysis and so he uses a wheelchair.  We visit Chicago about twice a year for professional conferences. Several years  ago we went to the Shedd Aquarium.  We  found it to be the least accessible museum we had ever visited (we go to quite a few).  We couldn't find our way around; when we would ask a hapless employee would point us towards a staircase.  It was so frustrating we left after 45 minutes of walking around in circles (I think there was an elevator out of order also that day).  I  wrote and asked for a refund, my letter was completely ignored.  Now we have two toddlers and we would really like to take them when we come  back to Chicago the end of this month.  I wrote asking if  they  could explain or send a map about how to get around using a wheelchair, they sent me a map, but it didn’t have  accessibility info.  Then I wrote asking for the contact information for the person in charge of accessibility issues for the museum.  This was also ignored.  At this point I do want to give up, but also we just want to take the kids there (our 2 year old LOVES fish).  I was wondering if you could give any advice about getting around without stairs or if you had the contact information to the person who would at Shedd?   Thanks for your time Carrie

Christina, Check out the last three entries at the bottom of our Resources Page should be of help to you in finding out where to send your chair lift. Your local Lions Club and Easter Seals chapter as well as Joni and Friend might help too. Best of luck giving your expensive equipment a new home. Regards, Catherine Marsden Accessible Chicago Easter Seals-Metro Chicago: Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago provides comprehensive services for individuals with disabilities or special needs and their families to improve quality of life and maximize independence. Sponsored by the U.S. government, this site provides people with disabilities, their families, employers, service providers and other community members with critical disability-related information. You can call them at 312 939-5115. Equip for Equality: This organization provides free legal and self-advocacy services for people with disabilities including self-determination, community integration and special education. Illinois ADA Project provides ADA information and training. Located in Chicago, you can call them at 800-610-2779 or 800-537-2632.Joni and Friends: This faith-based organization promotes the rights of individuals with disabilities through the teachings of the Gospel. They have a service that picks up donated wheelchairs.

I have been contacted by a friend who owns a house with a wheelchair lift installed for a disabled tenant. The tenants have since moved out, and the owner would like to get rid of the chair lift, as it will not be needed by future tenants. Rather than throw the lift away, he contacted me to see if I could find an organization or family that he could donate the lift to. The lift is in good working condition. Do you know of any organizations or families that may be interested?   Thank you, Christina OTR/L