Wiley’s Walk
Join the journey. Walk the path.
Writing by Kerry Ann Wiley about disability, adaptation, participation, and the difference between access and inclusion.
New on Wiley’s Walk
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When the Questions Follow You Home
Losing the ability to put on a pair of shoes should not have raised so many questions. The task had become harder after surgery, along with buttons and other small movements that once required little thought. By the time occupational therapy began,…
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Beyond The Checklist
A Wiley’s Walk essay Summer is often remembered through its pleasures: long evenings, planned trips, and days that seem less governed by the clock.. For one woman, the summer of 2026 passed differently. Her days were shaped by surgical recovery, changes in…
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The Missing Measure
The meeting may start at ten, but the conversation often begins before then. A question raised the week before may have already circulated through emails, surfaced after another meeting, or been discussed by colleagues familiar with the issue. The meeting may begin…
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A Matter of Degrees
Sometimes what needs to change is simple, even when asking for that change is not. A chair may need to be moved to create enough space at a table. A meeting may need to be held in a room that is easier…
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What “Accessible” Leaves Unanswered
The restaurant has been chosen, the time nearly settled, and the reservation is ready to be made. The restaurant’s website describes the building as accessible, but it provides no details about the entrance, seating, or restrooms. Someone calls before the group confirms…
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The Second Request
A visitor who uses a wheelchair arrives early for an appointment and follows a sign directing visitors who need step-free access to a side entrance. The door is locked. After trying to find another way in, the visitor calls the front desk…
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The ADA at 36: How Far Does Access Reach?
The promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is reflected in ordinary places. It can be seen in an accessible entrance, a government website that works with a screen reader, or medical equipment that allows a patient to receive a complete…
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The Story of a Shoe
My feet are swollen, and my work shoes will not go on. The laces hang loose on either side. Each tongue has been pulled forward and each opening stretched as wide as possible, but more room is not the answer. The swelling…
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The Distance to the Door
Temperatures have pushed past 100 degrees this summer. For anyone who already hates the heat, even going out for lunch can feel like a questionable idea. A restaurant may be only a few miles away, but getting there is only one part…
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“Nothing About Us Without Us”: What Does Participation Mean in 2026?
On March 12, 1990, eight-year-old Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins left her wheelchair at the foot of the U.S. Capitol steps. Around her, other people with disabilities abandoned their wheelchairs and crutches and began the climb toward the Capitol. These images have become fixtures of…