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College Place proclaims Sept. 29–Oct. 5 as 'Week Without Driving'; ACAC to host Sept. 30 walkabout
Summary
Mayor Norma L. Hernandez proclaimed Sept. 29–Oct. 5 as Week Without Driving to highlight transportation accessibility; Vicky Ostrander of the Accessibility Community Advisory Committee described a Sept. 30 'walkabout' in the Walla Walla area and urged residents to try transit, biking or walking to learn barriers and solutions.
Mayor Norma L. Hernandez read a proclamation declaring Sept. 29–Oct. 5, 2025, as Week Without Driving, urging residents to consider alternatives to driving and to spotlight transportation access and equity challenges.
Vicky Ostrander, speaking for the Walla Walla Accessibility Community Advisory Committee (ACAC), said the Sept. 30 walkabout will include participants who are blind, people who use mobility scooters and other residents with lived experience and will be used to identify gaps in sidewalks, crossings and other infrastructure. "Try riding the Valley Transit or your bicycles," Ostrander said, encouraging residents to test local systems and better understand how people who cannot or do not drive get around.
Ostrander said the walkabout is an introduction to Week Without Driving activities, that people unable to commit to a full week are still encouraged to participate for a day, and that the event will surface ideas for elected officials and staff about crosswalks, curb cuts, sidewalk maintenance and other accessibility needs. The mayor invited ACAC members to be photographed after the proclamation and thanked them for their work.
Why it matters: The event aims to increase local awareness of barriers to mobility for older adults and people with disabilities and to inform future city discussions about sidewalks, transit access and bicycle safety.
What's next: ACAC will lead the Sept. 30 walkabout and the city will post the proclamation and related information to its website.
