Tina Guenette, founder and CEO of Real Access Motivates Progress (Ramp), has emerged as a leading advocate for improved accessibility in Rhode Island. After a spinal stroke left her paralyzed 12 years ago, Guenette set out to help others with disabilities navigate a world that often lacks accommodations suited to their needs.

Guenette, who also serves as chair of the U.S. Access Board, emphasizes Ramp’s mission to create pathways for people who use mobility aids to participate fully in community life. “We’re all going to need the accommodation at some point,” she said. Ramp began formally operating in 2019 and works with businesses, public areas, and community events to assess and enhance accessibility, ensuring inclusivity for those with varying mobility needs.

One of Ramp’s key initiatives is the “Ramp stamp of approval” program, which involves on-site evaluations of businesses’ facilities to identify and recommend improvements such as reconfiguring doorways and rearranging furniture to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Guenette cited their recent involvement with PVD Fest, where they lent 71 wheelchairs over two days, enabling families who could not otherwise afford them to fully enjoy the event.

Rhode Island is unique in offering a workability grant that provides small businesses with $5,000 to implement accessibility upgrades, coupled with additional tax incentives of up to $15,000 per year. Ramp assists businesses throughout this process, providing guidance along with the financial resources needed, without charging fees for its services.

In addition to facility accessibility, Ramp advocates for improved mobility options. Guenette noted that while wheelchairs are often covered under health insurance plans, Ramp connects individuals with organizations such as the Freemasons in Warwick, which lend wheelchairs, and Liberty Mobility in Coventry, which refurbishes and offers discounted power chairs.

Legislative efforts supported by Ramp focus on both practical and linguistic changes. Bills introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly would allow drivers to report the misuse of accessible parking spaces via a dedicated app and replace terminology like “handicap parking” with “accessible parking” to shift public perception. The House has passed the legislation twice, and it awaits consideration in the Senate’s Special Legislation and Veteran Affairs Committee.

Guenette explained the importance of changing language around disability: “Handicap,” derived from “hand-in-cap,” historically implied begging, a label she says is still felt today due to limitations on Social Security Disability Insurance earnings. She advocates for “accessible” as a more empowering term that reflects dignity and inclusion.

Ramp is also working on two license plate bills—one for charity plates aimed at allies and another adaptive plate recognizing vehicles equipped with modifications for drivers with disabilities, featuring designs created by disabled artists.

Guenette stresses the need to broaden society’s understanding of disability, highlighting the varied capabilities of people with different challenges. Far from being “inspirational” for daily activities, she points to her own experiences with adaptive sports such as rock climbing, water skiing, parasailing, and indoor skydiving to emphasize the potential for active participation when accommodations are available.

With nearly 28 percent of Rhode Islanders living with disabilities, according to the state Department of Health, initiatives like Ramp’s represent vital efforts toward fostering an inclusive community where all residents can engage meaningfully.