DisabilityInfo.gov: Community Life: Recreation: Outdoor Recreation

Provides guidance and suggestions for outfitters and guides regarding how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This guide is also available in PDF format.

To Top

Provides guidelines and suggestions for ski areas regarding how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This guide is also available in PDF format.

To Top

This guidebook will help users integrate accessibility into planning, design, construction and maintenance of outdoor recreation facilities and trails while maintaining the natural setting. It provides detailed information about accessibility requirements in an easy-to-use format, with photos, illustrations, design tips, hotlinks and sidebars.

To Top

Information and links regarding the accessibility of federal recreation sites for people with disabilities. For information on accessibility at specific National Parks or other federal lands, visit the Community Life section of DisabilityInfo.gov and select a state from the map on the page.

To Top

Article on making playgrounds accessible and other resources for additional outdoor recreational activities.

To Top

Provides information on adaptive tools for gardening and many other activities.

To Top

CHALLENGED AMERICA is an adaptive-sailing rehabilitation program for kids and adults with disabilities.

To Top

Information from the Access Board about accessibility guidelines that serve as the basis for standards to be adopted by the Department of Justice for new construction and alterations of recreation facilities covered by the ADA. The guidelines include scoping and technical provisions for amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf courses, miniature golf, sports facilities and swimming pools and spas.

To Top

Offers equine activities and therapies to active duty or reserve military members, veterans and members of the Illinois National Guard with disabilities.

To Top

A national leader in experiential education serving all people, while ensuring that the outdoors is accessible to those with special needs.

To Top

Overview of the Bureau of Land Management's Accessibiity Program.

To Top

Information from the Easter Seals Web site regarding camps for children and adults with disabilities.

To Top

Contact information for Disability Rights Coordinators for the National Park Service, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the Bureau of Reclamation.

To Top

Information on national organizations dedicated to making the outdoors accessible.

To Top

Information from the U.S. Forest Service on guidelines related to outdoor recreation facilities. These are the only final accessibility guidelines addressing these types of facilities that are key to accessible outdoor recreation. Document is in Word format.

To Top

Provides links to information on accessible sites in National Forests and Grasslands and the Forest Service's accessibility guidelines.

To Top

Information from the U.S. Forest Service on guidelines related to hiking trails. These are the only final accessibility guidelines addressing these types of facilities that are key to accessible hiking trails. Document is in Word format.

To Top

Information from the National Park Service regarding accessibility at the Grand Canyon.

To Top

A study regarding ways to improve access for persons with disabilities to outdoor recreational opportunities. Document is in .pdf format.

To Top

Information of Golfing and golf tournaments for people who are blind and visually impaired.

To Top

A United Kingdom-based charity that works to promote the integration of people with and without physical disabilities through adventure tall ship sailing holidays.

To Top

Technical assistance and research on access to parks, recreation and tourism for people with disabilities.

To Top

Provides information on the accessibility policies and programs and services provided throughout the U.S. National Park system.

To Top

Formerly called the "Golden Access Passport," the Access Pass is a free, lifetime admission pass issued to U.S. citizens or persons who permanently reside in the U.S., regardless of age, and who have a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability. The pass is valid at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service and Tennessee Valley Authority sites with admission fees.

To Top

Offers courses designed to educate park and recreation employees on the opportunities and requirements for enhancing accessibility to recreation.

To Top

Provides link to the National Recreation Reservation System, through which camp sites and cabins on National Forests and at Army Corps of Engineers sites can be reserved.

To Top

A branch of the National Recreation and Park Association that specializes in the provision of therapeutic recreation services for persons with disabilities in clinical facilities and in the community.

To Top

Contact information for national parks, momuments and other points of interest in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. Includes information on accessibility for people with disabilities. Document is in .pdf format.

To Top

Find answers to frequently asked questions about recreation, locate recreation areas in your state and get information on camping, hiking and other activities from the federal government's one-stop recreation Web site.

To Top

Information on camping, including safety tips and links to recreation areas with camping activities.

To Top

A National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center dedicated to using technology to promote more healthy, active lifestyles for people with disabilities.

To Top

The special-needs NOAA Weather Radio has recently been designed to adapt to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

To Top

Article regarding questions to consider when choosing summer camps for children with learning disabilities.

To Top

Policy ensuring that all programs, activities and facilities open to the general public and receiving Federal financial assistance from the Service are operated in a nondiscriminatory manner and are accessible to all persons with disabilities.

To Top

Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting people from all walks of life, including people with disabilities, to experience the natural world. The organizations offers a wide variety of canoe, sea kayak, dogsled, raft, horse pack and hiking trips throughout North America and the World.

To Top

Many park facilities and major areas of interest, such as Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon, Grant Village, Madison and Norris have been judged to be negotiable by wheelchair users without assistance. More information about accessibility at Yellowstone National Park can be found in the brochure Visitors Guide to Accessible Features in Yellowstone National Park

To Top

Information from the National Park Service regarding accessibility at Yosemite National Park. Document is in .pdf format.

To Top