EXCLUSIVE: Inside look at Statue of Liberty accessibility upgrades – Zoraida Sambolin report

The crown and interior of the iconic Statue of Liberty have been closed for a year for renovations that will make it wheelchair accessible for the first time. The year-long, $30 million renovation project includes a newly installed elevator to the statue's observation deck, upgraded stairwells and several safety improvements.

These changes will allow an additional 26,000 visitors each year a chance to enjoy her spectacular views, including wounded veterans and others with disabilities.

CNN's Zoraida Sambolin visited the site with two wounded warriors in an "Early Start" exclusive, and were among the first visitors to take advantage of the new and improved Lady Liberty. She joined Kirk Bauer, who lost his leg in Vietnam, and Jesse Acosta, whose suffered injuries to his hip from a roadside bomb in Iraq, on the 146-step climb to the top.