In order to make their natural areas more accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, a number of Texas state parks offer GRIT Freedom Chairs. The GRIT Freedom Chair is a cross between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike, and it allows wheelchair-users and slow walkers to access rugged terrain or sandy beaches.
Built with mountain bike parts, the GRIT Freedom Chair has three wheels – two standard wheelchair wheels on the sides of the seat, and a smaller wheel in front of the chair. It’s easier to self-propel than a standard wheelchair, thanks to the lever handles installed on each side of the seat; however there are also push handles on the back of the chair for folks who need more assistance. Add in some all terrain tires, and you have a rugged wheelchair, built to tackle rougher terrain. And although GRIT Freedom Chairs are easy to transport, these Texas State Parks offer loaner models on site.
And the good news is, thanks to the popularity of these GRIT Freedom chairs, more and more Texas state parks are adding them to their inventory. So check out this updated list to see if any additional Texas State Parks offer these adaptive wheelchairs tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/accessibility/assistive-chairs.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge at Tahquamenon Falls State Park
There’s good news for wheelchair-users and slow walkers in Michigan — loaner track chairs are now available at many state park and recreation areas. Track chairs allow people with reduced mobility the freedom to explore places that are otherwise inaccessible to them. These off road wheelchairs have tank tracks instead of wheels, and can easily navigate over sand, rough surfaces and even snow. They also come with a big price tag; but thanks to a massive fundraising effort, loaner track chairs are now available at many Michigan outdoor spaces
The following organizations were instrumental in making these Michigan track chairs a reality.
Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (ghacf.org/)
Where to find Michigan Track Chairs
The loaner track chairs are available at the following Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Each venue has different rules, regulations and hours, so check in advance to avoid disappointment. And keep in mind that some locations also require reservations to borrow the track chairs.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area
Bay City State Park
Brighton Recreation Area
Grand Haven State Park
Harrisville State Park
Hartwick Pines State Park
Lake Hudson Recreation Area
Leelanau State Park
Petosky State Park
Wilson State Park
Holland State Park
Ionia Recreation Area
Island Lake Recreation Area
Ludington State Park
Maybury State Park
Muskegon Recreation Area
North Higgins Lake State Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Warren Dunes State Park
Waterloo Recreation Area
Wilderness State Park
If you didn’t find your favorite Michigan state park or recreation area on the list, don’t worry as this popular program is constantly expanding. New venues for loaner Michigan track chairs are being added as funding becomes available. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/track-chairs to check for the latest additions.
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Barrier-Free Travel Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers
View from Hermit Road In Grand Canyon National Park
Although US National Parks have done a great job with providing inclusive access for disabled visitors, sometimes alternative — but equal — policies have been established. Such is the case with the issue of private vehicle usage is some national parks. For example, some parks limit vehicle access to certain areas in order to control crowds or minimize the environmental impact on fragile ecosystems. In many cases wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus access to these areas is the solution.
But what if your scooter is too big for the accessible shuttle bus, or if you have to tote along a lot of medical equipment? Well in these cases — and many more — alternate access is available to disabled individuals in the form of special driving passes for disabled national park visitors. Check out what these three national parks offer, and find out how to secure a driving pass for your next visit.
Zion National Park
In order to manage traffic in Zion Canyon, only shuttle bus traffic is allowed on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive between March and November, and during the December holiday season. People who have reservations at Zion Lodge are allowed to drive to the lodge and park in the parking lot, with a Red Pass permit and a parking code, which are provided when the reservation is made.
Visitors who need to carry along additional medical equipment or folks who cannot ride the shuttle because of a medical condition are eligible for a Yellow Pass permit to drive their personal vehicles along the entire length of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Visitors who cannot ride the shuttle due to weight or size restrictions are also eligible for this permit. The shuttle lift can accommodate a combined weight limit of 600 pounds, and wheelchairs that are up to 45 inches long and 25 inches wide. The free Yellow Pass permits are available at the information desk at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Grand Canyon National Park
In Grand Canyon National Park, Hermit Road and Yaki Point Road have restrictions on private vehicle usage. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles from March 1 to November 30; and Yaki Point Road and the Kaibab Trailhead parking lot are closed to private vehicles all year. A free park shuttle is used to transport people to these areas of the park.
A special Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit is available to anybody who has mobility issues, and may have problems boarding the park shuttle buses. All shuttle buses are lift-equipped and can accommodate wheelchairs up to 48 inches long and 30 inches wide. Most motorized scooters will not fit on the buses.
There is no fee for the permit, which is available at park entrances and visitor centers. An accessible parking placard or disabled license plates are required to park in accessible parking spaces in the park, as the Scenic Drive Accessibility Permit is not good for that purpose.
Yosemite National Park
Although Yosemite doesn’t require special driving passes for disabled national park visitors, a few areas of the park where vehicles are restricted are open to visitors that have an accessible parking placard or disabled license plates. These roads include the Happy Isles Loop Road, the Mirror Lake Road and the access road to the Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove. The speed limit on these roads is 15 mph, and drivers must use their hazard lights when driving. It should be noted that these roads are open to bicycles and pedestrians, so keep an eye out for them.
Additionally, visitors with a temporary disability or folks who forget their parking placards can obtain a temporary disability placard at the park. This placard allows visitors to park in accessible parking places in the park, as well as drive along Happy Isles Loop Road, the Mirror Lake Road and the access road to the Grizzly Giant in Mariposa Grove. The temporary disability placard is available at park entrance stations or visitor centers.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If you’re thinking about taking a cruise that stops in the Bahamas, then check out these wheelchair-accessible Bahamas tour and transportation providers. Make sure and plan ahead and make your reservations as soon as you book your cruise, because accessible choices are limited and they go fast. Some of the cruise lines use these providers too, so there is little to no availability for last minute bookings.
Bahamas Experience Tours
www.bahamasexperiencetours.com/transportation-services/
Based in Nassau, this local company can provide transfers and transportation in wheelchair-accessible vans. They also provide wheelchair-accessible Bahamas shore excursions for most of the major cruise lines. For more information, call (242) 397-5000 or e-mail info@bahamasexperiencetours.com.
Tavares Wheelchair Transportation
accessiblebahamas.com
Tavares Wheelchair Transportation can provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to any destination on Nassau/Paradise Island. They offer their services to both locals and visitors, and can provide airport transfers, transportation to attractions or local appointments, or personalized transportation services. They can also provide Hoyer life and hospital bed rentals. For more information about their wheelchair-accessible Bahamas options, fill out the contact form on their website.
Barrier-Free Travel 101 Accessible Vacations Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Bucharest-based Accessible Romania offers a number of a tour options for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. They have a ramped wheelchair-accessible van available for transfers and tours. This large vehicle can carry up to two wheelchairs and five seated passengers, with room for luggage.
The agency offers a number of day tours, including a wheelchair-friendly tour of Bucharest. It includes transportation in an accessible van with stops at The Palace of Parliament, The Old Center, The Village Museum and Herastrau Park. An English speaking guide and admission to all attractions is included in this all-day tour.
If you’d like a longer tour, then their Accessible Transylvania Tour is your best choice. It includes transfers from Bucharest and stops at Sinaia, Busteni, Brasoe, Sighisoara, Cluj Napoca, Alba lulia and Sibiu. This eight-day tour includes transportation in an accessible van and accommodations at four-star “cozy hotels.”
Although Accessible Romania focuses on inclusion and strives to provide accessible services, there still may be some limits for full time wheelchair-users due to the existing infrastructure in Romania. That said, many of their tours are good choices for seniors and slow walkers. It’s hoped that Accessible Romania will create a greater awareness of access needs in the tourism sector, which will hopefully open up accessible tourism and improve the facilities in Romania. For more information about their offerings, visit accessibleromania.com.
Barrier-Free Travel 101 Accessible Vacations Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
After a hunting accident left Jacob Beisecker with a spinal cord injury, he was determined to continue his active outdoor lifestyle. While he was in rehabilitation at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Jacob discovered a mobility device that could make that dream a reality — a track chair. This offroad power wheelchair is outfitted with tank tracks instead of wheels, which allows it to navigate uneven terrain. After Jacob tried it out, he knew it was just what he needed to enjoy the outdoors. Sadly though, this expensive piece of adaptive equipment was out of his price range.
After he returned home, Jacob continued to search for an affordable offroad option, and as luck would have it he stumbled across a used track chair within his budget. He snapped it up and proceeded to explore the South Carolina outdoor areas that he had always enjoyed. But then he thought that there were probably others like him, who would benefit from a track chair but couldn’t afford one. And so, Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs (www.waymakeroffroadwheelchairs.com) was born. Today this South Carolina non-profit provides loaner track chairs to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, who want to enjoy Mother Nature.
Pick Up a Track Chair
Headquartered in Hartsville, Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs has a fleet of track chairs available to loan. Reserving a South Carolina track chair is easy. Just go to https://docs.google.com/forms/ and fill out the form. The track chairs are usually loaned out for a day or two, but they are available for up to a week if needed.
A small utility trailer is also available for loan; however if your vehicle cannot pull a trailer, delivery can be arranged. The delivery option is only available within 100 miles of Hartsville, on Saturdays from April to September. There’s no deposit needed to borrow a track chair; however a valid drivers license is required. The track chairs are also GPS traceable.
A number of accessories are available for the track chairs, including a headrest and an umbrella holder. They also have a four-point harness for folks who lack trunk control. And if you like to hunt or fish, don’t forget to request the gun mount, shooting rest or fishing rod holder.
Hunters will be happy to hear that track chairs are also permitted in all South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas. In the end, the choice is totally yours — you might even want to check out Myrtle Beach, which is just a few hours from the Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs headquarters.
Track Chairs at State & County Parks
If you’re not able to pick up a track chair, you can also borrow a South Carolina track chair at many state and county parks through Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs. These can be reserved online at https://www.waymakeroffroadwheelchairs.com/state-parks . Your drivers license will be held as a deposit when you pick up the track chair, and returned when you are through.
Track chairs are currently available at:
Huntington Beach State Park
Edisto Beach State Park
Ghivans Ferry State Park
Hampton Plantation
Hunting Island State Park
Oconee State Park
Sadlers Creek State Park
Jacob hopes to be able to expand the track chair loaner program in the future, so check the Waymaker Offroad Wheelchair website for new locations. Says Jacob, “We’re totally donor funded and are looking for corporate and individual donors to help sponsor us. These chairs made a huge difference in my recovery journey to be able to get back outdoors doing the things I love.” For more information about Waymaker Offroad Wheelchairs, visit their website, call (843) 287-7986 or e-mail WaymakerOffroadWheelchairs@gmail.com.
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
If a trip to Japan is in your future, then surf on by the Accessible Japan website (www.accessible-japan.com); a consumer-created resource with details about wheelchair-accessible attractions, transportation and lodging throughout Japan. Additionally, the website includes information about wheelchair-accessible day tours, and companies that offer wheelchair-accessible options. Essential information about getting around, accessible transfers, disability discounts, equipment rentals, voltage and suggested guide books and resources are also included. And if you’d like to know about something that isn’t listed on the website, there’s a link to a forum where you can ask additional questions.
All in all, it’s a very comprehensive resource for accessible travel in Japan.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Although many Florida state parks have beach wheelchairs, thanks to a partnership between the Florida State Parks Foundation (floridastateparksfoundation.org) and Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation (preservesurfingbeaches.org) a handful of state parks also have water wheelchairs. Unlike standard beach wheelchairs, the water wheelchairs — also called floating wheelchairs — have buoyant armrests so they can also be taken out into the surf. There’s no charge to use the water wheelchairs at Florida State Parks, but the checkout procedures vary from park to park, so contact the parks directly for more information,
Here’s where you can find the Florida State Park water wheelchairs:
If your travels take you across the pond, and you’re thinking about taking along your Hoyer lift, then think again. There is an easier solution. You can now rent a Hoyer lift in London through Ninja Mobility (ninjamobility.com). Owned by a power wheelchair-user, Ninja Mobility focuses on service, to make sure your essential equipment is available when you need it. Not only do they offer a wide range of mobility equipment choices, but they offer hotel delivery, so your equipment is waiting for you when you arrive. And they also serve the Southern UK, so it’s a good choice for a road trip too. So lighten the load on your next UK trip, leave your equipment at home, and rent a Hoyer lift in London. It’s the easy, stress-free way to travel.
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
A project of the Paris Convention and Visitor Bureau, this online resource offers information on visiting Paris in a wheelchair.
It includes a detailed section about getting around, including information on wheelchair-accessible bus, metro, tramway and RER routes in the City of Lights. Also included is a list of adapted taxi companies, information about hiring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle with a driver, adapted van rental resources, and even the low-down on wheelchair-accessible airport transfers. Additionally there are links to local providers that can provide personal travel assistance, as well as information on accessible car parks.
Also included is detailed information about accessible lodgings, restaurants, tours, attractions and even self-guided walks. And if you still have questions, visit their comprehensive FAQ page. This well researched guide is an excellent resource for visiting Paris in a wheelchair. parisjetaime.com/eng/article/accessibility-a646
Barrier-Free Travel Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
In order to make their natural areas more accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, a number of Texas state parks offer GRIT Freedom Chairs. The GRIT Freedom Chair is a cross between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike, and it allows wheelchair-users and slow walkers to access rugged terrain or sandy beaches.
