Enjoying the Great Outdoors with a Physical Disability

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Enjoying the great outdoors with a physical disability can be challenging. To do the kinds of things that non-disabled people do without even thinking about it requires many more steps, as well as accessibility accommodations and even adaptive equipment. Thanks to accommodations in many parks, spending time outdoors is now something that everyone can do.

The Benefits of Nature and Being Outdoors

First, it’s important to understand why being disabled should not prevent anyone from getting outside to enjoy fresh air and activity. Researchers have found important mental and physical health benefits to spending time outside.

Anyone, but particularly someone living with the limitations of cerebral palsy, can benefit from the mood boost and other health effects of being in the fresh air.

Just five minutes spent being active outside causes significant improvements in self-esteem, mood, and depression. One study found that even an easy walk in a park or any natural area outdoors can reduce signs of depression in the brain.[1] Sunlight is also proven to boost mood and reduce depression and anxiety.

While being active adds to the mood boost and physical health benefits, simply being outside in a natural area is enough to help us feel better. That means that someone with a physical disability doesn’t need much, just access to nature, parks, and natural areas.

Wheelchair Accessibility

If you have a child with cerebral palsy, you want to give them the best life, which means providing them access to parks and nature. That can be challenging if your child needs a wheelchair to get around or even if he uses a walker or other device.

Regardless of the type or degree of physical disability, getting outdoors is more challenging for you and your child. It is worth it, though, to find locations where you will have easier access and to make the effort to get there to enjoy being outdoors.

Most parks list accessibility on their websites, but if not, a quick phone call should give you the answers you need. Many parks, especially state and national parks, have at least some paved trails so you can get around in a wheelchair or with a walker. These trails go into natural areas to enjoy nature and the outdoors, even from a wheelchair.

National Parks and Accessibility

National parks are great for anyone with a disability because they provide accessibility at every location. The Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws require that these federally-funded parks are accessible.

The goal of the National Park Service is to make its activities, programs, and parks as accessible to those with disabilities as anyone else to ensure as much integration as possible. The Park Service is currently in the middle of a five-year strategic plan to make the parks even more accessible. The parks are also free to any American with a permanent disability.[2]

Planning a trip to a national park is a great way to get outdoors with your disabled child. Start by visiting the park website, which will describe all accessibility measures. For example, on the Yellowstone National Park website, you’ll find a list of nine areas of the park that are fully accessible.[3]

There is also information about visual and audio assistance and contacting the park accessibility coordinator, who can provide more information and any needed accommodations.

Camping, Barrier-Free

Camping is also a great experience for anyone, including a child with cerebral palsy. Instead of just an hour or a day in nature, camping provides a more immersive experience. The United States Access Board outlines guidelines and provisions for making outdoor recreation, including camping, accessible.

These include things like providing plenty of space for mobility, integrating accessible campsites with standard campsites, non-sloping tent platforms, adequate parking space, and more.

When planning a camping trip, it is best to ensure that the locations you are traveling to have accessible campsites that meet these guidelines. It is also a good idea to reserve an accessible site in advance. Many campgrounds are first-come, first-served, but accessible sites should be available for reservations for those who need them.

Organizations Providing Accessible Outdoor Recreation

There are non-profit organizations that help children and adults with disabilities like cerebral palsy have experiences like everyone else does, including outdoor activities.

For example, the group called Wilderness on Wheels helps people of all abilities get access to nature and outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, and fishing.[4] The group is based in Colorado and provides a setting deep in the woods and high in the mountains, dedicated to being accessible to all.

Another organization is called Splore. Based in Utah, this group provides adapted adventures in the outdoors for all ability levels. Their activities include whitewater rafting, climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

The group organizes activities and provides adaptive equipment that makes it possible for anyone to participate. The guides and staff are experienced and specially trained for working with people of all abilities and with a variety of limitations.

The benefits of being outdoors, being active, and being able to participate in adventures cannot be overstated for a child with cerebral palsy. These outdoor experiences are good for everyone, and no one should be excluded from being able to participate.

If you have a child with cerebral palsy, you can give the child outdoor experiences. It may take a little extra planning, but it can be done. Find the parks with the best accessibility, campgrounds that have accessible sites available, and organizations that go to great lengths to make sure all children can participate in exciting, educational, and empowering outdoor adventures.