Fisher is on a mission to open doors for others
12/31/2025
Robert Fisher has become a local celebrity in Adel — not for acting, singing or dancing, but for his constant drive and passion for his mission, which is helping to open doors for others. Fisher has been working tirelessly to get businesses in his community to add button powered handicap accessible doors. It all started when he moved to the area.
“When I moved here, my post office did not have a handicap button. I decided to call the headquarters and tell them about it. And they denied me. So, I decided to do everything I can to put one there, and they have no choice but to put one there for other people to get in,” Fisher said.
Fisher accomplished that first goal. His local post office added handicap accessible doors, much to his and the other handicap residents of the area’s delight in 2023. But, he did not stop there. Fisher said a fellow churchgoer of his thanked him for his efforts at the post office.
“That gave me joy. I desired to put one at my convenience store, at my bank, everywhere in Adel,” Fisher said.
And, so far, he has been accomplishing those goals as well. The Casey’s nearby and Lincoln Savings Bank have both added their own handicap accessible doors thanks to Fisher’s efforts.
Not only is it a great help to people who are in wheelchairs, but Fisher says it is good for businesses too. He has several fliers he uses to help spread information on his mission. He says there are approximately 3,079 residents with a mobility disability living in Dallas County, and many of them are willing and able to work but are limited by the number of businesses that do not have power doors. He recently held a town hall meeting to spread the message.
“I like to spread awareness and spread my movement that the handicap button will help them, make them aware, and to educate them. There are a lot of business owners who are not aware and don’t educate themselves,” Fisher said.
No need to worry. Fisher will do the educating and encouraging. He is happy to do so — with a smile on his face.
“I see all the people struggle in their wheelchairs that cannot go into a building. They are trying to open that door. It’s too heavy for them. They need a handicap button,” Fisher said. “It’s important to me because, if they’re not able to open the door by themselves, there’s no doubt about it, you have to put a handicap button there.”
WHO 13 News Director Rod Petersen, who joined in the interview, likened Fisher’s pursuit of greater accessibility to that of former Iowa U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, who was instrumental in the Americans with Disabilities Act, one that requires all buildings that serve the public to be handicapped accessible.
“I never give up,” Fisher said. “I’m a very persistent man.”
Fisher encourages people to send messages to these businesses that should get up to date with accessibility. The business reputations can improve with these changes and can even take advantage of tax credits for installing the power-assisted doors.
All the while, Fisher has been gathering signatures for his petition to change the Adel city code to require businesses to meet these requirements.
Fisher’s motto is short and simple: “Making the world a better place for handicapped people.” He says he just wants to make people’s lives in wheelchairs a little bit easier. So far, he has hit on both of those mottos, so much so that Adel’s city leaders are planning to give him a key to the city.
“My advocacy has only just begun. I am continuing to push open doors, both literally and figuratively,” Fisher said. ♦
