wheelchair

A Wheelchair-Accessible Tualatin Valley Sojourn

Candy B. Harrington Cooper Mountain, Fernhill Wetlands, Killin Wetlands, national wildlife refuge, Oregon, rail trail, trails, Tualatin Hills, Tualatin Valley, wheelchair July 11, 2026

Variety is the key word for wheelchair access in Oregon’s Tualatin Valley. Located in the northwestern corner of the state, this lush area is filled with wetlands and woodlands, and crowned with a Rails to Trails bicycle and pedestrian pathway. Aptly described as a Mecca for wheelchair-users who enjoy the outdoors, this region offers a hearty supply of accessible trails, picnic areas and spectacular views. Add in some great wildlife viewing opportunities and you have all the ingredients for a great outdoor getaway. So pack your bags and get ready to enjoy the wheelchair-accessible Tualatin Valley.

Banks-Vernonia Rail Trail

stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=104

First up on the Tualatin Valley list is the Banks-Vernonia Rail Trail. Constructed along an abandoned rail corridor, this 21-mile trail features an easy grade along a paved trail. The trail is six-to-eight-feet wide, and for the most part has a grade of less than 5%. The most accessible parts of the trail are near the Banks trailhead in the south and around L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.

The Banks Trailhead marks the beginning of the trail, and it’s located near the intersection of Highway 26 and Northwest Banks Road. There’s accessible parking in the lot and an accessible restroom near the parking area. The parking lots for the Banks Verononia Rail Trail are operated by the state, and you can either buy a day pass at the trailhead, or use your Oregon State Parks Annual Permit (stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=visit.day-use).

From the Banks Trailhead the trail heads north, as it passes through agricultural lands and riparian areas. It’s a fairly level ride through this area, and you can do as little or as much of it as you like. There’s also a nice section of the trail in L.L. Stubb Stewart State Park. Accessible parking is located near the trailhead, and there’s even a lone picnic table near the trail. This part of the trail is lined with trees and wildflowers and it makes for a pleasant mountain hike. And any part of the trail is great for handcyclists.

Killin Wetlands Nature Park

46280 NW Cedar Canyon Road
Banks, OR 97106
www.oregonmetro.gov/places/killin-wetlands-nature-park

Killin Wetlands, which is located near the Banks Trailhead, has two nice accessible trails. This rare peat moss wetlands area is home to a large variety of bird life as well as beaver, river otters and elk. And the scenic rolling hills that surround the wetlands offer some great photo ops.

Accessible parking is located near the barn, with an accessible vault toilet near the trailhead. There are also some accessible picnic tables behind the barn, and some benches that look out onto the wetlands area. It’s a great spot for birders who don’t want to hike into the wetlands.

The .4-mile Peat Swamp Trail begins on the far side of the picnic area. This hard-packed dirt trail does narrow a bit to about two feet in places in the beginning, and there can be a lot of tall grass on the side of this part of the trail. That said, once you wind around to the forest canopy the trail opens up, so if you can manage the first stint, you’re good to go.

About halfway along the Peat Swamp Trail intersects with Waterfowl Way, which is a .2-mile loop through the wetlands. This is a great area for wildlife viewing and birding, so don’t pass it up. The trail reconnects to the Peat Swamp Trail, and then winds back up to the other side of the picnic area. It’s a short trail but definitely worth a stop, as you’ll find lots of bird life on the trail and wading birds in the wetlands.

Fernhill Wetlands

1399 SW Fern Hill Road
Forest Grove, OR 97116
fernhillnts.org

Another good Tualatin Valley birding site is located over in Forest Grove, at Fernhill Wetlands. The area is owned by Clean Water Services and the trails are managed in cooperation with City of Forest Grove Parks Department. It’s a very pleasant area, with great access.

There’s accessible parking near the visitor center (which is sporadically open) and level access over to a spacious covered picnic area. There’s plenty of waterfowl viewing spots near the parking area, but for the best experience take the .6-mile Water Garden Loop.

There are two ways to get to the Water Garden. You can follow the paved path along the water, or you can take the shaded trail on the right. The latter option is the most scenic choice, as the hard-packed dirt trail winds through the gardens and is sheltered from the sum by bordering trees. And although the water attracts a good amount of birds, the trees are filled with an equally diverse avian population.

Once you get to the Water Garden, take your time to wind around the pathways, cross the bridges and enjoy the waterfalls. The area is home to 200 kinds of birds, so save time to enjoy the view of Fernhill Lake and catch a glimpse of the local residents.

Tualatin Hills Nature Park

15655 Southwest Milikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97006
www.tualatinhillsparks.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Tualatin-Hills-Nature-Park-13

Over in Beaverton, Tualatin Hills Nature Park is also worth a stop. And the good news is, the park boasts two accessible trails.

There’s accessible parking near the entrance, with level access to the Nature Center, accessible restrooms, and the two accessible trails. The Oak Trail heads off the the right, while the Vine Maple trail is on the left. The Oak Trail makes a nice 1.4-mile out-and-back hike, through a hardwood forest, with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities. The equally lush Vine Maple trail, which leads through the forest, over Cedar Mill Creek and out to the Lily Pond, offers an equally enjoyable 1.4-mile round trip hike. Both trails are wide, level and paved, and they make an excellent choice for manual or power wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

18892 Southwest Kemmer Road
Beaverton, OR 97007
www.tualatinhillsparks.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Cooper-Mountain-Nature-Park-12

Another Beaverton stop, Cooper Mountain Nature Park offers a pleasant accessible nature trail. There’s accessible parking in the large lot, with barrier-free access over to the playground and the picnic area with accessible tables. Accessible restrooms are located near the Nature Center, on the far side of the playground, and there’s level access over to the accessible Little Prairie Loop.

This .75-mile trail is wide and level, with a hard-packed dirt surface. It winds through the forest, and as you move along the trail there’s more forest growth, which results in a nicely shaded route. The forest also provides shelter for the abundant bird population in the park. The trail heads out around a wildflower-filled meadow and then circles back to the start. There are several switchbacks along the last leg of the trail, and although it’s not entirely level it’s still doable for most folks. It’s a pleasant escape into nature.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

19255 SW Pacific Highway
Sherwood, OR 97140
www.fws.gov/refuge/tualatin-river

Last but not least, don’t miss the excellent Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge on your Tualatin Valley adventure. Although there’s parking near the park entrance, it’s best to park in the top lot near the Visitor Center for best access to the trails. There’s accessible parking near the visitor center, and good access to the restrooms and exhibits inside the building.

There are two accessible trails in the refuge; however one is seasonal. The year-round River Trail begins to the right of the Visitor Center and winds out a mile to the Wetland Observation Deck and the photo blind. This wide shaded pathway travels through the forest, and the hard-packed dirt trail is fairly level. It’s a 1.5-mile trek out to the end, but you can always double back if you want a shorter hike

The River Trail at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

At times the River Trail parallels the equally accessible Wetland Trail, which is only open between May 1 and September 30. This dirt trail is level and begins to the left of the Visitor Center. This 3.66-mile loop travels around the wetlands near Chicken Creek, and offers ample wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunities.

And if hiking is not your thing, there’s a nice accessible wildlife viewing deck in back of the Visitor Center. Additionally, you can reserve a track chair to explore the refuge. Reservation slots are limited, so plan ahead and reserve your track chair online at www.davidschair.org. In the end if you roll, stroll or just sit and enjoy the view, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge has something for just about everyone.

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FLying with Lithium-Ion Wheelchair Batteries – What you Need to Know

Candy B. Harrington air travel, airline, batteries, FAA, flight, flying, lithium, removable, scooter, wheelchair July 5, 2026

OI get a lot of questions about flying with lithium-ion wheelchair batteries. There is a lot of misinformation and confusion out there, and many folks are concerned about their first flight with their wheelchair or other assistive device that has lithium ion batteries. So let me try and clear things up for you.

Lithium-Ion Battery Rules for Assistive Devices

So who sets the rules for lithium-ion batteries? Well in the US, these safety rules are set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). That agency sets minimum guidelines for the safe transport of lithium-ion batteries on US aircraft; however individual airlines may set stricter standards or even disallow them altogether.

The magic number for lithium-ion batteries in mobility devices for air travel in 300 watt hours (Wh). If you have a wheelchair or assistive device with a lithium-ion battery of 300 Wh or less that does not have a protective housing, then it must be removed and carried on the plane with you. On the other hand, if the lithium-ion battery (still 300 Wh or less) is installed on an assistive device and it does have a protective housing, then it will need to be carried as checked luggage. If this is the case, you need to notify the airline, as additional protective measures and an inspection may be required.

As for spare batteries, the magic number is also 300 Wh. One spare battery of up to 300 Wh or two spares of 160 Wh each are allowed. The spare batteries must be carried on the aircraft, as they cannot be carried in the cargo hold. Spare batteries should be carried in protective pouches or covered with non-conductive tape to prevent short circuits. Airline personnel will likely inspect all batteries before boarding.

Additional Information

It’s also a good idea to bring a copy of the battery’s Material Safety Data Sheet with you in case there are any questions from the flight crew. You also need to check with the airline in advance (at least 48 hours prior to departure) to see what the specific requirements are, as they do vary from airline to airline. Again, the airlines may have stricter requirements than the FAA minimum guidelines.

Additionally, foreign airlines (non US-airlines) may have different safety regulations and requirements, so it’s best to check with them well in advance of your flight. Most airlines have detailed information listed on their websites. It’s important that you check the airline website before booking because some airlines may not allow them at all,

Additionally, lithium metal (nonrechargeable lithium) batteries are forbidden with assistive devices. That means the airlines will not take them.

And here are a few good resources about traveling with lithium-ion wheelchair batteries, .

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/airline-passengers-batteries

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/wheelchairs-mobility-devices

Have a good trip!

Resource

Wheelchair-Accessible Beach at Megans Bay in US Virgin Islands

Candy B. Harrington access, beach, beach mat, Caribbean, Charolette Amalie, Megans Bay, US, Virgins Islands, waterwheels, wheelchair July 3, 2026

Gruepig, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons — Beach Wheelchair and Beach Mat at Megans Bay, St. Thomas

Located along the northern coast of St. Thomas, about 15 minutes from Charlotte Amalie, Megans Bay is the first accessible beach in the US Virgin Islands. It’s the result of legislation to help make local beaches more accessible for disabled visitors. Megans Bay includes accessible parking, restrooms and changing rooms, as well as good pathway access to the concession area. There’s also a paved pathway from the parking area out to a beach mat, which allows wheelchair-users to roll out on the sandy beach. Additionally, a Waterwheels floating wheelchair is available for loan. This specialized wheelchair can roll over the sand and into the water, and allows wheelchair-users to safely enjoy the ocean. For more information about the wheelchair-accessible beach at Megans Bay, visit www.friendsmagens.org/focus-areas/traffic-accessibility/disability-access.

Destination

The High Desert Museum; A Southern Oregon Cultural Treasure

Candy B. Harrington Bend, culture, desert, exhibits, museum, Oregon, road trip, trail, wheelchair June 28, 2026

Located along Highway 97 just south of Bend, the High Desert Museum (highdesertmuseum.org/) doesn’t look like much from the lone sign that graces the entrance. That said, as you wind your way up the driveway through the surrounding forest, things begin to come into focus as you spot the main museum building. And by the time you enter the complex, and check out the surrounding enclosures and exhibits, it becomes apparent that this off-the beaten-path find is much more than initially anticipated.

Defined as the highland area on the eastern side of the Cascades, the high desert is the ancestral home to native peoples, as well as a land that supports an abundant wildlife population. The High Desert Museum explores — and even celebrates — the combined history and zoology of the area. This 135-acre campus, which is nicely hidden from the adjacent highway, includes a 100,000-foot indoor museum space, as well as expansive outdoor exhibits. And although the complex was constructed in a rugged natural environment, great thought was given to inclusion, so today wheelchair-users and slow walkers can also enjoy this beautiful space.

A High Desert Primer

There’s plenty of accessible parking in the front lot, with level access over to the High Desert Museum entrance. And if you can’t walk far, there’s also a large drop-off area near the door. Inside there’s good pathway access to all the exhibits, accessible restrooms and a good number of benches to sit and take a break. A loaner wheelchair is also available.

The bulk of the inside galleries focus on the resistance and resilience of the native people, and highlight the changes in the area over the past 100 years. And then there’s the Desertarium, which has an impressive collection of reptiles and amphibians that reside in the high desert. And don’t miss Juniper, the porcupine who lives in a natural habitat in the Schnitzer Entrance Hall. She and her brother Tumbleweed were born in captivity and imprinted on humans, and as a result they cannot be released in the wild.

*Voyager* 1941 Panel Truck with High Desert Mosaic

There are also a number of rotating exhibits in the other galleries, and if you get hungry the Rimrock Cafe has some nice lunch or snack options. And don’t forget to stop in the gift shop to pick up a souvenir of your visit, before you head outside to explore the rest of the campus.

Discover the Forest

Birds of Prey Trail at the High Desert Museum

Outside, a series of trails wind around the exhibits and enclosures; and although not all of the trails are accessible, the museum map clearly highlights the routes that have steep grades. From the main building head over to the popular Donald M Kerr Birds of Prey Center, which features a courtyard with some rehabilitated residents, as well as inside exhibits. Outside, you can get up-close-and-personal with a few owls, hawks and eagles; while the inside exhibits focus on the habitat and behavior of the raptors. And don’t miss the pitch black enclosure with the barred owl.

After you’ve had your fill of raptors, head over to the Forest at Night exhibit, with a quick stop at the pond viewing area along the way. There’s barrier-free access to the Changing Forest pavilion, which includes some interpretive signs and wayside exhibits. Inside there’s equally good access to the Forest at Night interactive installation. This exhibit features the constellations above and highlights the nocturnal forest creatures. And there’s also a touchscreen that allows visitors to learn about the adaptations of the nocturnal forest creatures. It’s a fun and educational exhibit for all ages.

Step Back in Time

Settlers Cabin at The High Desert Museum

Another outside exhibit with good wheelchair access is the High Desert Ranch and Sawmill. And this area is truly a step back in time, as it tells the story of the early Central Oregon homesteaders. It includes a 1904 vintage cabin and barn (complete with chickens), a corral, bunkhouse, root cellar and old schoolhouse. Docents are on hand to answer questions, and there’s always a demonstration or two in the area. There’s ramped or level access to most of the buildings, as well as the old sawmill. Kids love this area, but it’s also nostalgic step back in time for adults.

After you’ve has a taste of farm life, continue on along the paved trail through the forest to the Autzen Otter Exhibit. There’s level access to the outdoor viewing area, where you can view the antics of the Brook, Pitch and Wesley, the resident otters. And for a good underwater look at them. there are also some wheelchair-height viewing windows as well as an indoor viewing area.

Of course you can always double back to any of the outdoor exhibits, but to conclude your High Desert Museum visit continue along the paved the trail. The pathway passes a playground and a large open meadow before it ends back at the main museum buildings. All in all, it’s just a half-mile trail, with good signage along the way.

And combined with the indoor exhibits this expansive outdoor area gives visitors a comprehensive – and wheelchair-accessible – look at the residents of the high desert.

Near the Entry to The High Desert Museum

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Cornerstone/ Roadside Attractions/ Travel Basics

Wheelchair-Accessible Roadside Attractions

Candy B. Harrington attractions, memorials, monuments, museums, quirky, road trip, roadside, sites, stops, wheelchair June 14, 2026

Road trips are an excellent vacation choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. They offer the freedom to motor through the countryside at your own pace, and stop whenever you want. There’s no tour group to keep up with, no mandatory stops at oddball attractions, and no worries about personality conflicts with other tour participants. You can go wherever you want, and do whatever you choose on a road trip. Additionally, road trips are a great way to explore small towns that are often overlooked on large group tours. Of course road tips require some serious planning and advance research, so here are some tips to help you plan a wheelchair accessible road trip (emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-road-trip-tips/)

Half the fun of a road trip is stopping at quirky roadside attractions along the way. It’s a great way to take a break, get off the highway and get some fresh air. And although you’ll probably not find these fun and funky stops splattered across the pages of high end travel magazines, they are all great spots to take a break and enjoy the local color. So here’s a fun assortment of wheelchair-accessible roadside attractions to consider for your next getaway.