Supporting Children with Disabilities and Their Families Outdoors

The benefits of outdoor recreation for children with disabilities are powerful. Access to nature promotes movement, improves motor skills and sensory processing, reduces stress, encourages social interaction, and enhances overall well-being through exploration and connection.

But access isn't always equal-children with disabilities often face barriers to participation. The Outdoor Access Working Groupcreated this resource to ensure every child can enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation.

Simply put: Kids just want to have fun-and ALL kids deserve the chance to do so!

Tips for Choosing Activities

• Consider the child's individual needs and abilities: Some children may be more comfortable with quiet hobbies, while others may prefer more active pursuits.

• Involve the child in the decision-making process: Allow the child to choose activities that they find enjoyable and engaging.

• Adapt activities to suit the child's abilities: Modify games, exercises, or tasks to make them easier or more accessible.

• Focus on fun and engagement: Make activities enjoyable and stimulating for the child, and don't be afraid to get creative with ideas.

• Encourage interaction and social skills: Include activities that promote interaction with peers and family members.

Recreation Ideas for Kids

Explore Accessible Trails and National Parks

Many national parks are leading the way with trail accessibility. Rocky Mountain National Parkoffers a fully accessible trail with boardwalks, and Zion National Park has a scenic riverside walk that's both stroller and wheelchair friendly.

More can be found on the TrailLinkand the National Park Serviceapps that provide information on accessibility and where you can find an all-terrain wheelchair.

The Access Passis also a must. It's free for individuals with permanent disabilities and valid for life. The Every Kid Outdoors Passallows fourth graders to get into national parks and historic sites for free.

The Accessible Trailsresource that was created by the Outdoor Access Working Group provides further information about some of the members' favorite trails.

Go to the Beach, Pool, Waterpark, or Theme Park

Heading to the beach? Many locations now offer beach wheelchairsto make navigating sand much easier. Our resource Our Members Love These 15 Wheelchair Accessible Beacheslists great spots from coast to coast-including Hanauma Bay in Hawaiiand Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.

In Texas, Morgan's Wonderlandis a must see. When Rolando Garza brings his family there, they know every ride, attraction, and pathway was designed with themin mind. "There's nothing like seeing your child feel completely included-and not just accommodated."

Morgan's Inspiration Island has waterproof wheelchairs and even offers oxygen collar covers for guests who use tracheostomy tubes.

Camping and Camps for Kids

Our working group members shared their favorite camping locations in the Accessible Camping for the Disability Communityresource.

Camp for Allin Burton, Texas, Camp Summitin Paradise, Texas, Camp Inclusionin Glenelg, Maryland, or Camp Trekin Lake Forest, Illinois, are great camps for children with disabilities to look into.

Adaptive Water Activities

The resources listed below were created by the working group members to help people with disabilities get involved in various adaptive water activities.

• How To Waterski, Wakeboard And Go Tubing, Adaptive Recreation-style

• Join All the Best Dudes and Go Adaptive Surfing

• Adaptive Fishing Coming to a Beautiful Lake Near You

• The High Seas Are Calling! Adaptive Sailing Adventures Await

• Everything You Need to Know to Give Adaptive Kayaking a Try!

Accessible Playgrounds

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, newly designed or constructed play areas must be accessible. PlayWorldand Kaplanoffer information on a wide range of equipment and inclusive solutions.

Clemyjontri Park in Fairfax County, Virginiais an excellent example of a fully inclusive playground. This playground features:

• Ramps providing access to elevated play components and connecting structures

• Swings with high backs, arm rests and special safety features

• Virginia's first Liberty Swing, which allows wheelchair users the experience of swinging without having to transfer from their wheelchair

• Rubber surfacing that allows wheelchairs to roll easily

• Lowered monkey bars that provide easy access

• Equipment designed to provide a sensory rich experience to all children

• Wider openings that allow easy access to play structures

Horseback Riding

Also known as therapeutic riding, these lessons are tailored to individual needs and abilities. Organizations such as the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Centerin Washington and The Legacy Ranchin Illinois are two of the many different equestrian programs across the country that offer instructions for riders of all skill levels.

Adaptive Bicycling

Organizations such as AdaptAbilityor eSpecialNeeds Adaptive Tricyclesoffer adapted bikes and tricycles for children with disabilities. AdaptAbility builds adaptive bicycles that are thoughtfully tailored to meet each child's unique needs and goals. They are given to families completely free of charge.

Teaching Children About Inclusion

BraunAbilityshared an important resource about teaching children to include their peers with a disability in activities. They suggest taking the steps below to teach children the importance of inclusion.

• Educate Yourself- In order to teach children about disabilities, you must be educated yourself. Reading various resources or talking with someone who lives with a disability are good places to start.

• Begin With Education on Disabilities- Help children become an ally for their peers with disabilities. Books and movies are beneficial for various levels of comprehension. Talk to your child to ensure they understand what they read and how they can apply what they learned.

• Teach Patience- Explain to children how others with disabilities can do almost everything they can do, it just might look a little different.

• Use Positive Language and Normalize Curiosity - It is important to encourage children to ask questions, and to do so respectfully.

• Lead by Example and Demonstrate Respect - Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and kindness you would show anyone else.

• Do Not Overload Your Child with Information- Younger children may begin to feel overwhelmed with too much information. Simply focus on what they need to know, which is that everyone is different and that is something that should be celebrated.

• Highlight the Importance of Friendship and Focus on Similarities- Explain the importance of friendship, and that it applies to all kids, including their peers who may have a disability.

Children's book author and United Spinal staff member Annie Streitsays, "I love sitting in front of a class in my wheelchair and reading my books. Kids always ask questions-sometimes a lotof them-and I welcome it. They're learning, and I'm helping them see disability through a lens of understanding, not fear."

Working group member JP Bruce was a camp counselor for children with disabilities for two years. Through his experience, he saw firsthand how outdoor recreation "builds confidence in children, teaches them new skills, and adds to their knowledge of the world around them."

Organizations Offering Outdoor Activities for Kids with Disabilities

Various organizations across the United States provide access to outdoor activities for children with disabilities.

Adaptive Adventures

(303) 679-2770
Westminster, Colorado

Adaptive Sports Foundation

(518) 734-5070
Windham, New York

National Ability Center

(435) 649-3991
Park City, Utah

Outdoors for All Foundation

(206) 838-6030

Three Locations:
Seattle, Washington
Issaquah, Washington
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Move United

(301) 217-0960
Rockville, Maryland

Best Day Foundation

(800) 309-2815
Santa Cruz, California

National Sports Center for the Disabled

(303) 515-6723

Front Range Adaptive Program Center- Golden, Colorado
Winter Park Adaptive Program Center - Winter Park, Colorado

National Inclusion Project

(919) 314-5540
RTP, North Carolina

C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation

(541) 992-0441
Salem, Oregon

STRIDE Adaptive Sports

(518) 598-1279
West Sand Lake, New York

The Miracle League

(770) 760-1933
Conyers, Georgia

Turnstone

(260) 483-2100
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Granite State Adaptive Sports

(603) 387-1167
Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

Other Resources

• Organizations Dedicated to Providing Access and Equity to the Great Outdoors

• Inclusive Play Design Guide and Inclusive Play Equipment

• A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas

• How to Make Your Early Childhood Playground Inclusive and Accessible

• Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors with Adaptive Equipment

• Traveling with a Wheelchair: Top 11 Family Destinations in the U.S.

• Teen's Tips for Raising Confident and Independent Children
• Talking To Your Children About Disabilities

United Spinal's Outdoor Access Working Groupcollaborates with advocates across the United States to help remove barriers to outdoor recreation and to help promote adaptive activities.