I have lived in Iowa City almost twenty- nine years so far. I came here in 1982 to start my graduate work. Once that was completed, I decided I would like to live here for most of my life. If you ask me why, the simple reason is that I can get around on my own with my motorized wheelchair.
While Iowa City has ways to go to be completely accessible, this does not mean one having a wheelchair like myself can not get around. There was a time when this city had to apply for Community Development Block Grants to get curb cuts placed in strategic areas of the city. Now, after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, curb cuts are automatically put in as soon as any construction takes place.
While living in Iowa City as long as I have, I have been involved with community projects because I feel people with disabilities should be heard. I enjoy working at Access 2 Independence for almost twenty years now. It has helped me find my niche in the work force. I am very pleased with the respect I have gotten from many prominent people that come to me asking for opinions on ideas in Iowa City.
As I get older, I feel like I want to retire here because of the many amenities for older Americans and people with disabilities. I am so happy with the accessibility here that I will include it in my biography I am writing and doing a documentary about how easy it is to maneuver around this city with a wheelchair. Hopefully, the book and the documentary will be a success, just like everyone in this community has helped me to become an integral part of the community.
About the author: Keith Ruff is our local Iowa City icon and even though he loves Iowa, he misses the ocean on the Jersey shore.








