Oakville Indian Mounds Park & Museum has recently been awarded a $500 accessibility grant, which they have used to add two new touch-free, motion-activated faucets and two new sinks.
“The grant was for how tourism could create better accessible destinations,” said Oakville Multicultural Resource Specialist Anna Mullican. “This is the first year they’ve done these grants. … I heard they will offer this grant again. We will definitely apply for it next year.”
The funding came from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (North Alabama).
“Although the sinks that we had were ADA (America Disability Act) compliant, we didn’t have the faucets that were hands-free,” Mullican explained. “For some people who have hand mobility issues and regular wheelchair users, they would have to touch one less thing. So, they replaced one faucet on each side, and then they also replaced one of the porcelain sinks on each side to make them even more accessible.”
Mullican mentioned that the school’s maintenance crew took care of installing the faucets and sinks.
“Our total project was close to $900, but since we’re a part of the school system, we didn’t have to pay for installation; the school system absorbed that for us,” Mullican said. “And then the $500 went towards the two sinks and towards the faucets.”
But upgrading sinks wasn’t all Oakville did for accessibility. They now also have tools in place to assist individuals on the autism spectrum, those with sensory challenges, PTSD, and more.
“There was another program also through North Alabama,” Mullican shared. “They sent a lady out to us, and she did a staff training day. She brought us bags filled with all sorts of sensory toys and headphones and pop-its and various things. In case we do have people who are feeling overwhelmed, we can get those kits.”
According to Mullican, Oakville offers a quiet space as well as an upstairs conference room for anyone in need.
“It was really neat, the training that she did because it covered people with PTSD and other related things other than autism that could make someone feel uncomfortable traveling to places like museums or places they’ve never been before,” she said. “They also brought us a wheelchair through North Alabama. Our school nurse also brought us another wheelchair and a walker for visitors to use as well.”
Mullican stated their next goal is improving their signage further.
“We’re always trying to learn different things we can do to be more accessible to everybody,” she added. p >
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