Hi there!
I am the first to admit that I am not an accessibility expert. I'm also not a disability expert and don't wish anyone to presume that I am. I'm simply a disabled individual who cares about helping make all our lives easier and a stay at Yosemite more enjoyable, or at the very least, keeping disabled visitors well-informed of what they may encounter during a visit.
My Disability Story
CW: automobile accident
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In 2008 (at the age of 28), I was riding on my motor scooter when a car made a lefthand turn into me. I have no memory of the accident, for which I am grateful. However, it did leave me with a shattered femur, broken wrist, several damaged nerves, and a concussion. I am convinced that the only thing that saved my life that night was the fact that I was wearing full armored motorcycle gear. (A strong reminder to all who choose to travel on two wheels: wear all the gear, all the time!)
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While the bones healed (with the aid of a femoral rod, wrist plate, and 11 screws), the nerve damage never quite went away. I am now on SSDI (federal disability) because of the chronic pain, weakness, and fatigue I live with on a daily basis.
My limitations as the host of this website
While I am a part-time wheelchair user, I am able to stand and walk for about 2 city blocks. I have severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the wrist that was broken but am still able to manipulate light objects. While I am extremely near-sighted, I have access to eyewear that allows me to see with my eyes very well. I do not (yet) have any hearing loss that I am aware of.
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These are the lenses I am seeing the world through when it comes to accessibility. And even within my own mobility struggles, I do not claim to know all that there is when it comes to the needs of all disabled folks. While I can make reasonable guesses with regard to what other accessibility needs exist in Yosemite, they only remain guesses without the input from the people who need that access directly.
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I do hold a Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design from the University of Michigan.