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Power Beach Wheelchairs on Alabama Beaches

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If you’ve always dreamed of enjoying some fun and sun on the beach, but thought it was impossible because you use a wheelchair, then think again. Thanks to an enterprising man on the Gulf Coast, power beach wheelchairs on Alabama beaches are a reality for wheelchair-users and slow walkers..

A Man With a Plan

After retiring to the Gulf Coast, Jerry Nasello was diagnosed with ALS. A diehard beachgoer, Nasello was devastated, but he was also determined to find a way to navigate over the sand without walking. He remembered a power beach wheelchair that he once saw in California, and his analytical mind went to work and he created his own version. And over the years he improved it, so he and other wheelchair users could hit the beach.

His first model used PVC pipe, but subsequent models incorporated lightweight metal frames and non-corrosive alloys into the design. He then added an upholstered seat and a joystick for steering for the perfect beach access solution for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. And shortly thereafter he started a company and began renting his fleet of power beach wheelchair to others.

New Owners Continue The Dream

Sadly Jerry is no longer with us, however his power beach wheelchairs on Alabama beaches are still a reality. Today Stacy and Tim Collings own Beach Power Rentals (www.BeachPowerRentals.com) which offers rental power beach wheelchair in Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach. You can rent them by the day, week or month, and delivery is available for an extra charge. It’s the perfect solution for folks who have level or ramped access to a beach near their accommodations. And if you also need a beach umbrella, manual beach wheelchair, a scooter or a shower chair, they can deliver those too.

Additionally, they can make adjustments to the power beach wheelchairs based on individual needs. They can mount the joystick on either side, or take it off to allow a companion to steer it. They can also adjust the length, height, width and rotation of the footrests. And if there are other adjustments that you need, just let the folks at Beach Power Rentals know, and they will do their best to make it happen.

So get ready to hit the beach in a power wheelchair on your next Gulf Shores visit.

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new united wheelchair sizing tool unveiled

New United Airlines Wheelchair Sizer Tool Unveiled

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A new United Airlines wheelchair sizer tool was recently unveiled. This digital tool enables wheelchair-users to select flights that can accommodate their specific assistive devices. Why is this important? Well, some larger wheelchairs will not fit through certain aircraft cargo doors without being titled to the side or back. And in some cases, tilting those wheelchairs could seriously damage them.

The Wheelchair Sizer Tool

So how does this new United Airlines wheelchair sizer tool work? Well basically you enter your flight criteria on the United Airlines website or app, then all the flights that meet your criteria are returned. Next you click on the “wheelchair” tab in the top right, and enter the dimensions and battery type of your wheelchair. Finally, click on “check size” and the tool will return all the flights that can accommodate your wheelchair.

And here’s the great part. If you aren’t able to take your preferred flight because your wheelchair won’t fit through the cargo door, and there are other more expensive flights that can accommodate your wheelchair, you can get a refund of the fare difference.

New United Airlines Wheelchair Sizer Tool Result of ACAA Complaint

So why did United Airlines develop this new wheelchair sizer tool? Well, it was all the result of an Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) Complaint, and a subsequent settlement agreement between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and United Airlines.

The original ACAA complaint that triggered the DOT investigation was filed by Engracia Figueroa. Unfortunately United Airlines damaged her customized wheelchair and left her sitting in an airport wheelchair for five hours. And perhaps if she knew that she had other flight options, she would have taken an alternate flight, where her wheelchair didn’t have to be twisted, turned and tilted to fit through the cargo door. And all that manhandling was what damaged her $30,000 assistive device.

Sadly Ms. Figueroa’s story had a tragic ending. United initially refused to replace her wheelchair, and although Ms. Figueroa fought this decision, it took a toll on her. She subsequently developed a pressure sore as the direct result of improper seating, and by the time United Airlines finally agreed to replace her wheelchair, it was too late. Ms. Figueroa died from a subsequent infection on October 31, 2021.

Trial Program at IAH

Another provision of the DOT settlement agreement requires United Airlines to implement a six-month pilot program at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This trial program will explore additional equipment and service options that can be used to accommodate passengers who have had their customized wheelchairs damaged or delayed.

Specifically, this program focuses on the time frame between a customer’s arrival at the airport and the time that United returns their wheelchair or provides an appropriate loaner. The goal is to make extended waits — like Ms. Figueroa had — safer and more comfortable. To that end, United is equipping their IAH loaner wheelchairs with Permobil cushions, in order to improve comfort and stability. Additionally, the airline is also reimbursing customers for transportation expenses, should there be an extended wait for the return of their assistive service. That way they can opt to wait in a more comfortable setting, such as a hotel or their own home.

The DOT has agreed to close its investigation of the ACAA complaint filed by Ms. Figueroa, in  return for the implementation of these new wheelchair policies. An although it’s great to see these improvements, they wouldn’t be in place had it not for Ms. Figueroa’s ACAA complaint. So remember that the next time you encounter access problems while flying. Filing an ACAA complaint won’t personally help you, but it could help effect change. You can file a ACAA complaint at https://secure.dot.gov/air-travel-complaint.

And lest you think that it’s no big deal, remember that the ACAA has been in effect since 1986. We shouldn’t still be having these problems today. File that complaint if you encounter access-related issues .

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Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers

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Revelation Trail at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Located 50 miles north of Eureka, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415) features one of California’s last stands of old growth redwoods. And although there are several accessible trails through the grove, the recent acquisition of a track chair makes it easier for everyone to get up-close-and-personal to these majestic beauties. This lush state park makes a great day trip; however if you’d like to linger on a bit, there are also wheelchair-accessible camping cabins in the park. Either way, it’s a relaxing, refreshing and remote getaway.

Drive Through the Redwoods

Although a hike through the redwoods is grand, the drive to the park on Newton B. Drury Parkway is equally appealing. You can access the parkway from Highway 101, six miles north of Orick or four miles south of Klamath – just watch for the signs. This is probably the top scenic drive in the park. It’s about 10 miles long and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete the whole thing. This two-lane road winds through an old growth redwood forest, with a number of pullouts along the way.

Be sure and stop at the Big Tree Wayside, which is on the right, just north of Cal Barrel Road. There are accessible parking spaces and vault toilets near this wayside exhibit, and a 100-yard paved level path to the tree. Even better, there’s ramp access up to this 304-foot giant, which towers over the surrounding forest. Even if you can’t walk or roll very far, you’ll still be able to experience this exhibit.

Big Tree Wayside

The Prairie Creek Visitor Center is located about a mile south of the Big Tree Wayside. There’s accessible parking nearby, and level access to this small park office. Inside you can pick up a map, get your questions answered and buy a souvenir. It’s also the place where you can pick up the loaner track chair for an accessible jaunt through the redwoods.

Borrow a Track Chair

Action Track Chair

The loaner track chair at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.is the result of the efforts of David’s Chair, Redwood Parks Conservancy and Redwood National and State Parks. This Action Trackchair is fitted with tank tracks instead of wheels, and allows wheelchair-users and slow walkers better access to developed outdoor areas.

The Action Trackchair is 20 inches wide and can accommodate a maximum weight of 400 pounds. If you cannot transfer independently you will need to bring someone to assist you, as park employees and volunteers are prohibited from providing transfer assistance. Reservations for the track chair can be made at https://www.redwoodparksconservancy.org/permits/davids-chair. The chairs are available seven days a week, and visitors may choose to borrow the track chair from 9AM to 12PM or from 1PM to 4PM.

Visitors are allowed to take the track chair on the Redwood Access Trail and the Revelation Trail. The .7-mile Redwood Access Trail begins at the visitor center and winds through the redwood grove and the day use area. Along the way the Revelation Trail branches off the Redwood Access Trail and then reconnects to it about .3-miles down the road.

The Elk Meadow Picnic Area, which is located near the end of the Redwood Access Trail, makes a good lunch stop. There’s level access to accessible picnic tables on a level grassy area, and accessible restrooms are located nearby. As an added bonus, elk are known to visit the meadow across from the picnic area, so keep your eyes peeled.

Spend the Night

Cabin 3 at Prairie Creek Campground

If you’d like to spend a night or two in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, there are four accessible camping cabins in Elk Prairie Campground. Cabins 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all grouped together and they each have accessible parking with ramp access up to the front porch.

Each cabin can sleep six, with two bunk beds which have a single bunk on the top and a double bunk on the bottom. There are no mattress pads on the beds, so it’s best to bring foam padding or an air mattress. Guests also need to bring their own bedding, as it’s not provided. There’s also space outside for a small tent that can accommodate two more guests. Other cabin features include a small counter, electricity, lights and a heater. And there’s a raised grill, an accessible picnic table and a bear box outside in a level area.

There’s no water in the cabins, but there’s a paved path to a showerhouse with accessible family shower rooms. These shower rooms include a toilet with grab bars, a roll-under sink with an angled mirror, and a roll-in shower with grab bars, a hand-held showerhead and a fold down shower bench. There’s also a full five-foot turning radius in these spacious units.

Family shower room near the accessible cabins

And since the cabins are just across the street from the meadow frequented by the Roosevelt elk, they also offer a prime elk viewing location. It’s a relaxing and accessible spot to spend a night or two.

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New National Park Access Guide Released!

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I’m thrilled to announce that my newest national park access guide was just released. The second edition of Barrier-Free Travel; Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks for Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers (https://emerginghorizons.com/barrier-free-travel-glacier-yellowstone-and-grand-teton-national-parks-for-wheelchair-users-and-slow-walkers/)

is now available. And I’m happy to report that there’s been improved access in — and around — all three parks.

The second edition includes updated information on:

  • Accessible trails and attractions
  • Access upgrades, details and photos of all in-park lodges
  • Accessible lodging options in gateway communities
  • Barrier-free campgrounds
  • Accessible bus, snowcoach and boat tours
  • Accessible shuttles to and around the parks
  • Insider access tips
  • Fly-drive suggestions with accessible rental vehicle resources
  • National park discounted pass information

This national park access guide was a challenging title for me, as of course Charles and I made numerous treks to all three parks (which we always do); but this time we also had to work our travels around our roles as owner/builders while finishing the construction of our new home. To say that it was delicate balancing act is a huge understatement. And although I wrote a good deal of the book at a picnic table on-site while supervising the construction, I’m pleased to announce that we are now finally settled in our new abode. The other good news is now we are even closer to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, so it will be easier to update future changes.

Access Improvements Galore!

There are of course a lot of changes since the first edition of this national park access guide, but they are good changes. For example Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel renovated their main lodge rooms, and they now have five accessible guest rooms, including three with roll-in showers. And outside the Parks, the new William Bridger Cabins and Glacier Cabin Village both have nice accessible units with roll-in showers.

The in-park concessionaires are doing a great job too, from Xanterra’s accessible Glacier Red Bus Tours to the accessible boat tours down in Grand Teton offered by Jenny Lake Boating. Access is really improving thanks to their efforts.

So grab a copy of my new edition and plan an accessible road trip this year. And don’t forget to get your required entrance permit for Glacier National Park. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment!

Zion National Park

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Located in Southwestern Utah, Zion National Park was the Beehive State’s first national park. Although a good percentage of the park is designated as wilderness, there are many developed areas which can be visited with a minimal effort. At the top of the list is Zion Canyon, a 15-mile drive bordered by spectacular sandstone cliffs. Over on the west side of the park, Kolob Canyons offers a more bucolic view of the Colorado Plateau; while the eastern Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway connects Zion with Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. No matter where you look, there’s no shortage of breathtaking scenery in this national park.

Insider Tips

  • Don’t miss the free Ride with a Ranger Tours that are offered twice daily on the park shuttle buses. These two-hour narrated tours include several stops along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Advance reservations are required, and they can be made up to three days in advance. And the good news is, all park shuttle buses are lift-equipped, so everyone can enjoy these tours.
  • If you want to dodge the crowds, then explore the five-mile long Kolob Canyons Scenic Byway, located in the northwestern corner of the park. This scenic route climbs 1,000 feet in elevation and offers great views of the red Navajo sandstone canyon walls along the way. There are a number of paved pullouts on the route, and although none of them are striped, they are strategically placed so you can get good windshield views.
  • For a very accessible place to rest your head, consider staying in cabin 529 at Zion Lodge. This historic cabin dates back to the 1920s, and it includes a queen-sized bed and a bathroom with a roll-in shower. As an added bonus, this lodge is one of the most scenic national park properties around, as it’s surrounded by Zion Canyon.

Zion National Park Itineraries

Nearby National Parks

Bryce Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park

More About Zion National Park

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Redwood National and State Parks

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Jointly managed by the National Park Service and California State Parks, this park includes the original federal land plus three Northern California State Parks. The federal area — Redwood National Park — is located southeast of the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center in Orick. The California additions include Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. They are located along Highway 101 between Orick and the Oregon border. Highlights of this 131,983-acre preserve include several stands of ancient coastal redwoods, prairies dotted with Roosevelt Elk and 40 miles of scenic coastal drives. As an added bonus, there’s no admission charge or day-use fee for this park.

Insider Tips

  • Although there’s certainly no shortage of majestic redwoods along Newton B. Drury Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, make sure and stop at the nicely accessible Big Tree Wayside. Going south on the parkway it’s on the left and marked simply as “Big Tree”, and going north it’s not marked at all, but it’s the first turn on the right after Cal Barrel Road. From the accessible parking area it’s a short 100-yard walk on a paved level path to this 304-foot giant. And there’s even ramp access up to the tree.
  • Hop off of Highway 101 just south of Crescent City and enjoy a scenic drive along Enderts Beach Road. This winding route is lined with redwoods and offers a coastal view every now and then. It’s just a five minute drive to the end of the road, where there’s an accessible ocean overlook. Try and hit this short detour in the afternoon though, as the thick coastal fog hangs over the area in the mornings.
  • Spend the night in a redwood forest in one of four accessible cabins in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Each cabin can each sleep six, with two bunk beds with a single bunk on the top and a double bunk on the bottom. Other cabin features include a small counter, electricity, lights and a heater. There’s also a raised grill, an accessible picnic table and a bear box in a level area outside each of the cabins. And the accessible showerhouse near the visitor center is equipped with a spacious roll-in shower.

Redwood National and State Parks Road Trip Resources

Nearby National Parks

Lassen Volcanic National Park
Yosemite National Park

More About Redwood National and State Parks

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Mount Rainier National Park

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Located 100 miles southeast of Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is situated in one of the most rugged areas of Washington state. At 14,410 feet, the namesake mountain towers over the park; and not only is this active volcano the most glaciated peak in the contiguous US, but it’s also a popular climb, with over 10,000 attempts each year. That said, you can certainly enjoy the park without attempting the summit, as there are also several developed areas that offer accessible trails, museums, campsites and overnight lodging.

Insider Tips

  • Be sure and stop at Christine Falls, which is located just past Longmire on the left side of the road. It’s easy to miss, and if you take time to admire it from the road, you’ll drive right by the pullout on the right side, which offers the best view of the falls. Unfortunately there are only stairs down to the lower viewing area, but you can still get a nice view of the top part of the 40-foot high waterfall from the 1928 masonry bridge near the pullout.
  • The most accessible trail in the park – the Kautz Creek Trail – is located across the street from the Kautz Creek Picnic Area. This level boardwalk trail winds through a section of the forest which was devastated by a 1947 glacier generated debris flow, and leads out to an overlook that offers an excellent view of Mount Rainier.
  • A timed entry reservation is required for visits to the Paradise Corridor and the Sunrise Corridor of the park, during the peak summer season. Reservations are released 90 days in advance and are available a www.recreation.gov. Plan ahead, because entry reservations are not available at the park; and if you don’t have one you won’t be admitted. And remember, even if you have a national park pass, you still need an entry permit.

Mount Rainier National Park Accessible Itinerary

Nearby National Parks

Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park

More About Mount Rainier National Park

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Kings Canyon National Park

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Located in the Central California Sierras, Kings Canyon National Park is just a short drive from Sequoia National Park. It’s composed of two distinct regions — Grant Grove and Cedar Grove. These two regions are connected by the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, which runs through a section of the Sequoia National Forest between them. Grant Grove is known for its giant sequoias, while Cedar Grove boasts some magnificent granite canyons. And both areas feature an abundance of wildlife and some spectacular windshield views.

Insider Tips

  • For a bird’s eye view of the park, head up to Panoramic Point. The two-mile road to the viewpoint is located on the far side of the visitor center parking lot. Just follow the signs to John Muir Lodge, and make a sharp right just before you reach the lodge. At the end of the one-lane winding road there’s accessible parking and a paved path out to the viewpoint, which also offers a glance at Hume Lake, Spanish Mountain and Mt. Goddard in the distance. It’s definitely worth the short walk.
  • Grant Grove Cabins offers a nicely accessible rustic cabin, which is furnished with two queen-sized beds and includes a covered patio with a picnic table and a small wood stove. An accessible bathhouse, with family restrooms and a roll-in shower, is located nearby. It’s a nice choice for folks who enjoy nature, but don’t really want to pitch a tent.
  • Grizzly Falls Picnic Area, which is located along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, makes an excellent lunch stop. A short paved loop leads from the parking area to several accessible picnic tables on cement pads. As an added bonus, there’s a great view of the falls from any of the picnic tables and even the parking area.

Kings Canyon National Park Itineraries

Nearby National Parks

Sequoia National Park
Yosemite National Park

More About Kings Canyon National Park

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
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Joshua Tree National Park

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Named for the prolific yucca plant that’s found within its borders, Joshua Tree National Park features two distinct desert ecosystems within its 800,000-acre expanse. From cholla and ocotillo cactus, to unusual rock formations sculpted by the harsh desert winds and torrential rains, this Southern California national park is filled to the brim with unique plants and animals. And although the landscape may appear a bit foreboding, rest assured there are a number of wheelchair-accessible trails and attractions in this desert wonderland. Add in a nice collection of scenic drives that offer some some jaw-dropping windshield views, and you have an excellent choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Insider Tips

  • The Oasis of Mara, which is located near the North Entrance, offers an accessible half-mile loop trail. Honey mesquite trees dot the desert landscape, which is bordered by mountains in the distance, while a ring of California Fan Palms mark the presence of water — the oasis. Be sure to take a close look in the underbrush near the palms for some Gambel’s Quail, as it’s one of their favorite haunts.
  • Located on Pinto Basin Road, just a few miles south of the Park Boulevard intersection, the Cholla Cactus Garden boasts a quarter-mile trail through a mature cholla forest. There are a few ruts here and there, but for the most part, they are pretty easy to dodge. There’s also a one-inch lip up to the boardwalk sections of the trail, but most folks can manage it with a little assistance. Even if you can’t do the whole trail, you’ll be surrounded by chollas just by walking 10 feet into the forest.
  • The Bajada Nature Trail, which is located in the south area of the park, is the oldest accessible trail in the park. This quarter-mile trail passes through the bajada — a broad slope of alluvia material at the base of a mountain — and offers a wonderful view of the surrounding desert. There are interpretive plaques along the way, and although there are a few sandy patches here and there, all-in-all this 1998 “all access trail” has held up fairly well.

Joshua Tree National Park Road Trips Resources

Nearby National Parks

Death Valley National Park
Pinnacles National Park

More About Joshua Tree National Park

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California National Park
Road Trips
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Grand Teton National Park

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Located south of the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway and north of Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park encompasses over 310,000 acres filled with glacial lakes and bordered by the magnificent Teton Range. There’s no shortage of wildlife in the park either, and visitors commonly encounter elk and bison along the park roads. No mater where you travel in this rugged mountain park, there’s an abundance of scenic windshield views along the way. Grand Teton National Park is truly one of the great – and often overlooked — natural treasures of the American West.

Insider Tips

  • Although the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive is a must-do, most folks entirely miss a beautiful accessible stroll along the way. The access point is near the end of the drive, at a pullout on the right which boasts an accessible parking spot. From there, a paved service road winds a half-mile through the woods to the campground, and then continues along a .16-mile path to the ranger station. From there, you can connect to the accessible portion of the Jenny Lake Trail. As an added bonus, this route isn’t listed on any park maps, so it’s largely devoid of visitors. Plus it’s very accessible.
  • For a look at the most iconic structure in the park, head over to the Mormon Row Historic District. Located off of Antelope Flats Road, this historic district dates back to the 1890s when Mormon families began to establish homesteads in the area. The historic T. A Moulton Barn, which has adorned many a calendar, is located just across from the parking area. Even if you can’t walk far you, can still enjoy this historic wooden structure framed by the towering Tetons.
  • Colter Bay Village Cabins offers two accessible cabins, each with a roll-in shower. Cabin 458 is double the size of cabin 456, yet since both these cabins have the same bed configuration and are in the same rate category they rent for the same price. Cabin 458 is definitely a hidden treasure of a deal!

Grand Teton National Park Accessible Itinerary

Nearby National Parks

Yellowstone National Park
Glacier National Park

More About Grand Teton National Park

Barrier-Free TravelGlacier, Yellowstoneand Grand Teton National Parksfor Wheelchair-Users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

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Glacier, Yellowstone
and Grand Teton National Parks
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