ALBANY — Angie Tunnissen thinks that Oregon and the midvalley in particular have come a long way in the last 30 years when it comes to recognizing the needs of people with disabilities.

But that doesn’t mean things can’t get better.

To get that message across, the Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America, which includes Tunnissen on its board of directors, is contacting cities all over the state.

“What the message is about isn’t to complain,” said Tunnissen, 56, who lives in Lebanon. “It’s to educate.”

The OPVA is approaching cities with a resolution it has developed asking each one to observe July as Accessibility Awareness Month. Tangent was the first to sign on with the recognition.

In late June the city approved the resolution after a presentation by the OPVA. Created by OPVA member Charles Keen of Salem, it calls for extra support for people with disabilities.

Sidewalk improvements, entryways, ramps and restroom access are night and day compared to where they were 30 years ago, Tunnissen said.

Still, little things can cause problems. Tunnissen said restroom doorways are often a struggle, particularly in restaurants. Her wheelchair doesn’t fit behind shopping carts very well, either.

“I have to leave the cart to get groceries sometimes, and people have thought it was abandoned and put all my groceries away,” she said.

Some sidewalks cause trouble, too. Tunnissen said even accessibility improvements are difficult to negotiate because of a slight lip that makes it tricky to maneuver her wheelchair.

Tunnissen has used a wheelchair since she was in a motorcycle accident in 1983 near Camp Pendleton in San Diego. She had served as Marine sergeant and communications instructor on amphibious tractors. The crash changed that, leaving her with a severed spinal cord.

“When I was first injured, getting around was a problem,” she said. “Stairs, doors, sidewalks … everything was a barrier,” Tunnissen said.