Access Ability Wisconsin

The Blue Hills Sportsmen’s Club has become a Network Partner and host site for Barron County.

What is Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW)?

Access Ability Wisconsin’s mission is to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for people with temporary or permanent mobility challenges (such as injuries resulting in paralysis) promoting access, inclusion, equity and healthy living.

How does this work?

AAW is a grassroots nonprofit 501 (C) (3) and was founded by Monica Spaeni and her husband Steve in 2014. Monica is a chair user herself and fully understands the difficulties that people who have suffered a spinal cord injury or other life altering injuries or illness are experiencing.

AAW works hard to obtain funding from grants and private or corporate donations to purchase the all-terrain outdoor wheelchairs (OWC), each chair comes with its own enclosed 5’X8’ trailer.

The price tag for a chair and trailer is $26,000.00, and for a $50.00 deposit (which can be a donation or refundable) any individual with mobility challenges can reserve a chair to use for hunting, fishing or a family get together creating outdoor memories, or as we say Outdoors Access 4 All (OA4A).

How Did the Blue Hills Sportsmen’s Club Become Involved?

Our club was contacted by a community member in 2022, and that was the first time that we heard of AAW. After some research our club reached out to AAW, to see how our club could become involved and the rest is history.

Thank you to Monica, Ray and the rest of the team at Access Ability Wisconsin for taking a chance on our little club up north and trusting in us.

We have put together a dedicated team of volunteers and started partnering with area organizations like the Chetek Chamber of Commerce, Barron County Fair, Eau Claire/Chippewa County Veterans Services, Barron VFW, Disabled Veterans of America, Pioneer Village Museum, Chetek Fire & Rescue, Barron Chamber of Commerce and Fire Away Roadhouse and Rest Camp.

Through our efforts and with the generosity of AAW we have brought these amazing chairs to our community and provided our community members the opportunity to continue experiencing the outdoor activities that some felt that they would never experience again. In 1 year our club went from the Barron County Host Site and 1 chair and trailer to a Network Partner and the Northwest Wisconsin Host Site with 5 chairs and 4 trailers and our Chairman Tim Chaussee being named the Northwest Wisconsin Regional Ambassador and then an AAW Board Member.

We work with these organizations to attend area events, Chetek WinterFest, Chetek Fire & Rescue Ice FIshing Contest, Barron Winter Fest, Liberty Fest & Liberty Fest Parade, Barron County Fair, Pioneer Village Museum Christmas in the Village – Bluegrass Festival, State Veterans Picnic, October Fest and the list keeps growing. Our goal is to make our community aware of this amazing service provided by AAW. By attending these events we are making everyone aware of this service and residents and tourists alike are making use of these awesome chairs and enjoying outdoor activities with families and friends.

If you or someone you know could make use of one of our chairs please go to www.accessabilitywi.org and make your reservation today and get back outside doing what you enjoy.

Meet the Chairs

Chair #11

Barron

Hello I am chair #11, they call me Barron. I was the first chair permanently assigned to the Blue Hills Sportsmen’s Club and the Barron County area. I have made a lot of new friends since I have been in Barron County. I like to visit the range at the Blue Hills Sportsmen’s Club. This summer I was at the Barron County Fair and many other events in Barron County. I really enjoy getting outdoors and meeting new people.

Chair #9

Blue Ox

Hello I am chair #9, they call me Blue Ox. I was built extra big and strong to haul more, I like being out in the woods hunting and seeing nature. I have met some really great hunters and even helped get a really big buck this bow season. I look forward to helping more hunters enjoy the outdoors and spending time in the woods with friends.

Chair #E2

Big Badger

Hello I am chair #E2, my name is Big Badger because I am painted red & white the same colors as the University of Wisconsin. I spend most days hanging out in a dark trailer kept safe and warm but really look forward to being outside and meeting new people. I have met some great people young and old since I have been in Barron County and look forward to meeting more people. Please look for me at your area events and stop to say Hi.

Chair #19

IceMan

Hello I am Chair #19, they call me IceMan. I have a special bracket on my back that you can mount a generator for ice fishing. I really enjoy being out on the ice and snow, I look forward to making lots of new friends in Barron County. See you on the Ice!

Chair #E3

Baby Badger

Hi I am chair E3, my name is Baby Badger. I am new to Barron County. I am a special chair just for kids, I may be small but can do everything that my bigger friends can do. Like my other chair friends I hope that you will look for us at your local events and stop by and say Hi. You can spend time with us by going to the Access Ability Wisconsin website and reserving one of us or calling (608)-886-9388 or our friend Tim at (715)-933-0125.

Get Back Outside!

If you or someone you know faces mobility challenges, don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the great outdoors. Reserve your all-terrain wheelchair today and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. Visit www.accessabilitywi.org to learn more and make your reservation!