Amigo Mobility International - Healthcare: eLibrary

Accessible Travel: Park It!
by: Debbie Marsh, Disaboom
Friendly Wheels, Issue 19

With the tight economy putting a crimp on everyone's vacation budget, consider hopping in the car to explore some of the many accessible parks across the country.

Accessible Travel Around the Country
The names alone can inspire a sense of wanderlust. Who wouldn't want to trek into the dark recesses of Kentucky's Mammoth Cave, or discover what Oracle can foretell in Arizona? Go to Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Walla Walla, Washington just to be able to let the "wa's" roll off your tongue while telling friends about the trip. And is there anyone named Wilma or Fred at either of the accessible parks in Flintstone, Maryland?

Hundreds of accessible parks - regional, state and national - await the adventurous soul yearning to explore the outdoors. And this accessible travel opportunity provides a great value, whether you camp or stay in a lodge.

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Accessible Vacation: Where to Go?
For a list of accessible parks in your area, check out the directory at the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability Web site. You'll find a state-by-state listing with contact information, a general description of the park and what disability features it offers, from accessible lodging to accessible trails suitable for a wheelchair.

People with Disabilities:
Prepare to Camp
Another cool resource to consult before you embark is the NCPAD's fact sheet on outdoor trips. With links to national parks and Bureau of Land Management areas, you can widen your options. And be sure to read the "What to Ask Before You Go" section so you'll arrive prepared for anything!

Planning to camp, backpack or hike? Remember that cotton next to your skin is a no-no; it gets cold and clammy when wet. A quick-wicking synthetic fabric or merino wool (which doesn't itch like the heavy wool you used to know) are preferred for that first layer. Next, beef up the warmth factor with fleece, even if temperatures warrant tucking it away in a day pack. You'll want to have it in case of afternoon cloud cover or an unexpected overnight stay. Finally, make sure your outer layer is waterproof yet breathable for that surprise rainstorm.

Accessible Family Vacation
And NCPAD offers lots of useful information about exploring family adventure for people with disabilities, including the immense variety of inclusive activities that await you. Just take a look at the Web site for Wilderness Inquiry, an accessible travel company that operates across the country and around the world.

So get your neighbor to watch the cat and prepare to have some excitement, whether it's in your own town, a neighboring state, or across the country!

See Related Articles

Busting the top seven accessible travel myths.
The best bets for wheelchair-accessible trails and lodging in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park.
Check out a comprehensive guide to accessibility in our national park system.

Visit Disaboom.com for more accessible travel information.