About This Site | 
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Jim Higgins (1973-2009) created this site on April 2009. Sadly, he passed away a month later, but even in that short time he created lots of dialogue meant to ensure that Oxford, Mississippi is a welcoming place for all. You can see some of what he had to say by visiting the first blog entries. I am his wife, Tayla, and I now maintain the website. You may contact me with any questions or comments about this site.
Below is Jim’s vision for www.OxfordWelcomesYou.com.
Because of advances in medicine and technology, disabled people are going to become younger and more numerous. Victims of accidents, of diseases, and of combat who would’ve, in years past, died of their injuries are going to survive and rebuild their lives. Some will want to use the GI Bill and may look at Ole Miss. Some may want the familiarity of a small Southern town. Like me, some may live here already and become disabled. Do we really want those people to just go elsewhere?
This site was established in April of 2009, on behalf of citizens and visitors to the city of Oxford, Mississippi. Its purpose is to serve as an always growing information source about our public places, private businesses and their accessibility to people of all types.
I began to realize that as older businesses were renovated to make a way for new ones, and new ones sprung up, they were often not keeping universal design in mind. In a lot of cases, building inspectors were enforcing the bare minimum of the ADA standards for building and not encouraging people to take the one or two steps further that would enable all people to enjoy the same amenities.
Without regard for any schedule, I plan to discuss my wanderings and whereabouts in Oxford, with an eye on accessible design. I encourage people to contact me if they want to participate as writers. It’s not imperative that you be disabled, you need only to be willing to take a thoughtful moment to examine a place and see what might make it more welcoming to everybody.
Comment from Deb
Time Wed, July 29, 2009, 7:33 pm at 7:33 pm
What a great idea this is! I am so glad that Jim started this blog and I will look for opportunities to contribute.