PRESCOTT – All-terrain outdoor wheelchairs were the sight to see as Prescott community members gathered at Senior Gathering Place May 23 to test out the adaptive equipment.

With the motto “Outdoor Access 4 All,” non-profit organization Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW) started with just one outdoor wheelchair back in 2015 with the goal to give outdoor experiences such as fishing and hiking to people that are not able to have these experiences.

The chair is for people of all ages, and the organization's long-term goal is to have a chair in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.

AAW has been distributing these wheelchairs to hosts across Wisconsin. The hosts then distribute the chairs to people who reserve them, allowing them to be used free of charge.

There are currently over 20 host locations with the closest two being Fall Creek and Rice Lake.

Gathering Place Advisory committee member Janet Cleary was thrilled about the experiences which could be provided to people that otherwise could not see some of the sights of nature.

“The fact that it provides mobility and socialization, and family is able to do family things and even seniors like us,” Cleary said. “It’s just a wonderful opportunity for anybody in the county. I am just so thrilled about it.”

The overall cost for a package of the wheelchair as well as the trailer that carries it is over $22,000, but with a variety of different donation options on the website, the long-term goal may be in sight.

AAW’s website with more information and an opportunity to donate or watch videos on the subject is accessabilitywi.org.