About ACCESS Main Street

Two Universal Design Symposiums, hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, were held in Madison in October 2006 and 2007. These symposiums generated high interest from many corners of the community, including government officials, designers, business owners, advocates, academics, people with disabilities and others who were interested in leading Wisconsin to promote a state model for community inclusion through the implementation of Universal Design. In follow-up, many participants expressed the desire for resources to assist them in increasing the accessibility of community organizations, businesses and buildings.

In 2008, Access Main Street was conceived and designed following dialogue between the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee's Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability Center (R2D2) and an advisory council from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Office of Independence and Employment, Pathways Projects.

(Individual businesses that utilize Universal Design are not promoted on this website, however, good examples and helpful suggestions may be considered for use in the future).