Accessibility Improved in Jefferson County Public Spaces
- News Editor
- May 1
- 1 min read
A Washington State committee is awarding funds totaling $30,151.96 to five Jefferson County entities to support accessibility improvements to a variety of public resources. The funding was secured thanks, in large part, to the work of volunteers collaborating with Jefferson County Public Health.
The award recipients are the City of Port Townsend, Disabled Hikers, Jefferson County Historical Society, Peninsula Trails Coalition, and the Port Townsend School District.
The volunteer members of the Jefferson County Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) oversee the application process for the state funds. ACAC Chairperson Sarah Grossman, of Port Townsend, was pleasantly surprised to learn in March that all Jefferson County applicants were awarded funding.
“With state budget cuts, we weren’t sure if any of our applicants would be awarded funding this year,” Grossman said. “However, nearly a third of the total funds available are now going to flow into Jefferson County, thanks to everyone’s hard work and dedication to access.”
The ACAC is housed within Jefferson County Public Health. Public Health Director Appalachia Martine was grateful for the collaborative work of the ACAC, staff, applicants and local and state partners.
“Rural regions have higher densities of people experiencing disabilities than urban areas, nationwide,” Martine said. “I’m thankful to the many people who worked to secure these state funds so our schools, parks, trails, and cultural resources will be even more supportive to the overall health of county residents and visitors for years to come.”
Details of the work of the Advisory Committee and the State awards can be found at:
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