The Story of Tonight

⚒️ Roll’s Nuggets ⛏️ 

Updates on the App

1. Though maybe not as highly anticipated as Dr. Dre’s follow-up album to The Chronic and 2001, our sensory features are still coming! We will keep you posted on the progress, but as of right this second, they are still in beta testing. 

2. Who doesn’t love a podcast? Did you catch us on Walk and Roll? This podcast is hosted by Doug Vincent and Addie Rich and is dedicated to giving a voice to the disabled community. Check out the episode here. Thanks for having us Doug and Addie!

3. Roll works in community and for community, not unlike this latest study about baboon behavior that I first saw reported in one of my favorite newsletters, Goodnewspaper. I was tickled, because if it isn’t obvs by now, we love all things baboon. And then to find out that baboons love to be in groups with their besties? Squee! Because the day-to-day reality for disabled folks means detouring around construction zones, waiting for elevators that may or may not work, and sitting separately off to the side because “technically accessible” isn’t the same as actually usable. When we build spaces where everyone can move freely, we make it easier to stick together. And it’s about more than access; it’s about connection. The hope that remains in our hearts, and what keeps us rolling, is that maybe, just maybe, our app can lead to better planning, design, and policy change. As if we needed another reason to love baboons! I promise it’s not just because of their weird little colorful butts. (Incidentally, my partner tells me that that's why he loves me all the time.)

   

   Photo by Michael Jerrard on Unsplash

We’d love to hear from you! Did we miss the mark, or do you have an idea to make it better? Reach out at [email protected].

👩‍🦽 Crip News You Can Use 👨‍🦼 

Accessi-stories From Around the World

Tony Stark would be proud. To celebrate National Trails Day on June 7, Hypershell handed out 30 of their Hypershell Pro X wearable exoskeletons to park volunteers, including seniors and folks with mobility challenges. These futuristic leg-boosters cut exertion by about 30% and increase leg strength by 40%, which basically means volunteering just got a serious power-up.

Why it matters: This team-up with the American Hiking Society shows that assistive tech isn’t just for rehab clinics anymore. It’s trail-tested and outdoors-approved, opening the door for more inclusive recreation and offering a glimpse into how we might rethink mobility in community settings and even the workplace.

Because who says only Iron Man gets to feel superhuman? (Secretly hoping the flying version is the next upgrade.)

😄 Wheel-y Good News 😁 

Good Folks Doin’ Good Thangs

The World Health Organization just released a new “Guide for Assistive Technology Market Assessment and Shaping”, offering practical steps for countries to improve access to wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, etc., addressing the global issue that only 1 in 10 people in need actually have access. According to the WHO website, the guide includes:

• Tools for conducting market assessments and stakeholder mapping

• Guidance on designing and implementing market-shaping interventions

• Examples from recent assessments in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Tajikistan

• Emphasis on collaboration with the private sector and sustainable financing.

Why it matters: Policy and supply-side innovations can drive greater reach of essential devices — something we can spotlight for advocates and program designers.

Do you have a story you want to share? We want to know about it. Seriously. Send your story to [email protected]

⚖️ Policy & Prejudice 🤫 

Keeping the ol’ checks & balances in check

Roll on Capitol Hill, organized by United Spinal Association, is an annual advocacy event where wheelchair users and disability advocates from across the country meet with legislators in Washington, D.C. to push for policies that protect disability rights and access to healthcare. This year’s event is especially urgent given the recent passage of a certain “pork-filled abomination” bill in the House that proposes deep cuts to Medicaid, threatening vital services like home and community-based care that millions of people with disabilities rely on to live independently. The cold-cut reality is that this would lead to reduced access to personal care attendants, assistive technology, and community integration programs, which in turn could put many into institutional settings unnecessarily. Medicaid is not just insurance — it’s a lifeline that funds critical supports for mobility, independence, and daily living. Roll on Capitol Hill amplifies the voices of those directly impacted. This year’s 13th annual signature policy and advocacy conference, Roll on Capitol Hill (ROCH), will be held in person in Washington, DC, from June 22-25, 2025.

🔥 Roll Mobility WeFunder 🔥

"Thinkin' of a master plan / Cause ain't nothin' but sweat inside my hand" Rakim puts it so well here. No one likes asking for money, but I thought it might help you all see what funding can help us accomplish together. Well, the short of it is — to be able to scale this dang thing and keep the lights on! We really are a small team of individuals that, so far, have funded this thing out of pocket. The end goal is to continue accessi-map (patent pending) the world!! All while keeping things free for our community and users. We want to get the right information into your hands/phone via our app, and by helping to support us monetarily, you are directly contributing to the development of features and growth of the app so that it can continue to help thousands (and hopefully one day, millions) of people across the globe. The truth of the matter is that we do this because we believe in it, not because we are getting paid to do it. So help us help you! Thank you so much for your support. We couldn’t do this without you.

Click here to find out more on our WeFunder site. 

The Legal Bit – We are 'testing the waters' to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited. If sent, it will not be accepted. No offer to buy securities will be accepted. No part of the purchase price will be received until a Form C is filed and only through Wefunder’s platform. Any indication of interest involves no obligation or commitment of any kind.

📣 Say What? 📢 

Calling all content creators! Or “would be” content creators. Want to do a channel takeover? We’d love to have you. Let us be your hype-person! We’d love to feature your video or photos (with full credit to you, of course!) We want to share your story (if you want to share), and we would love to see what you are seeing “out in the wild”. If you aren’t sure because you have never done something like this before, that’s no problem, we can walk you through it. I promise it is a real, live person who would be calling/emailing with you, NOT a robot. (Though I can’t promise that they won’t be part baboon.)

“I have been an intermittent wheelchair user due to many years of leg surgeries, and when I found the app Roll Mobility, I was so stoked and excited. I always felt insecure about semi-abled status, and moving into using a chair more frequently for longer outings or walks was such a tough and intimidating transition, but seemed so much more doable with the App.”

Thank you for the review Jacqueline Koehn — we are so glad you are stoked! 😁 

Would you like to tell your story? Want to be Instagram famous? We’d love to feature you on our channel(s). Please email [email protected]

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