Every outdoor lover understands the benefits of hanging out outdoors. But for people coping with paralysis and other disabilities, it can be challenging to gain access to outside spaces like parks, hiking trails, beaches, and lakes. The most “preventable barrier” to outdoor and water entertainment is the absence of readily offered information about an outside area. This is why the Christopher & Dana Reeve Structure constantly advocates for change and offers the required resources to inform the community and crucial companies.
This summer, the Reeve Structure is expanding its effort to tackle accessibility concerns specific to outside water-based activities. Outdoors for Everyone works to break down barriers and promote an available and inclusive environment in which individuals who are coping with or impacted by paralysis can delight in outdoor activities.
The initiative provides vital resources for the disability community, recreation specialists, and decision-makers in seaside communities. It also seeks to inform the public about the avoidable restrictions of outdoor activities, aiming to make experiences more available this summertime and beyond.
Sponsored by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Structure
Image courtesy of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Why Water Ease of access? As the temperatures increase, millions across the country will flock to their local beaches, rivers, and lakes. Able-bodied people tend to think nothing of the rocky or sandy surfaces that can overshadow the fascinating beauty of these places to an individual in a wheelchair. In reality, for those in a wheelchair (or for those pushing a wheelchair), these surfaces can be challenging, if not difficult to navigate.And it’s not just the surface that frequently makes these areas unattainable; there can be physical hazards also. When going outside, understanding seasonal dangers and secondary conditions requires to be leading of mind for members of the community. Secondary conditions for those living with paralysis can impact the body’s capability to manage temperature level, which can lead to risk of heat exhaustion, and too much exposure to the sun can be dangerous for sunburns, causing pressure wounds and infections.
However, there are measures that those handling outdoor-recreation locations can require to deal with difficulties like these. As part of its 2024 initiative, the Reeve Foundation has created a new crucial resource, a Water Availability List, to help guarantee people coping with specials needs can take pleasure in outside areas near water.
“As we get in the summertime, we’re thrilled to expand the Reeve Structure’s ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ initiative to include water accessibility,” states Dan McNeal, Director of the Quality of Life Grants Program, Reeve Foundation. “Our objective is to inform the community and cultivate available environments where every individual can experience water-based activities.”
From available kayaking and adaptive water sports to simply delighting in a stunning day at the shore, McNeal says everybody needs to have the ability to partake in the joys of summer season.
The ‘Outdoors for Everybody’ Effort
Released in September 2023, the pilot of the Outdoors for Everyone initiative intended to assist make the outdoors more inclusive, particularly for those dealing with paralysis, in addition to their families and caretakers. Following the preliminary launch, the Reeve Structure continues to advocate for the neighborhood and has been working carefully with outdoor organizations and other stakeholders to deal with these issues by supplying free resources and other education tools.
“Accessing the outdoors can position challenges for those dealing with paralysis and other specials needs, as nature typically conflicts with availability,” said Mark Bogosian, Director of Engagement at the Reeve Foundation. “The ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ effort was created to offer necessary resources and assistance, making it possible for all to enjoy the appeal of nature, which is crucial for psychological and physical wellness. By collaborating with parks and outdoor entertainment companies, we wish to empower everybody to invest more time outdoors.”
With the extension on water accessibility this summertime, the Reeve Structure aims to help more individuals enjoy water activities.
Image thanks to the
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation About the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation The Christopher & Dana Reeve Structure is devoted to treating spine injury by funding innovative research study and enhancing the lifestyle for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. Part of its objective is dealing with these “preventable limitations” that keep people impacted by paralysis from going outdoors.
Accessing water is particularly difficult for those affected by paralysis, however the Reeve Foundation thinks making tools offered and targeting its education efforts will make a crucial distinction in the paralysis community’s outdoor experience.
Water-Accessibility Resources and Partners
To assist make sure everyone can join in the enjoyable this summer, the Reeve Structure is offering resources with water-accessibility suggestions that also raise awareness about opportunities for inclusive water recreation throughout the United States. These resources include a Water Accessibility List, access to a team of Info Specialists, and an online Resource Map.
Water Availability Checklist
The new Water Ease of access Checklist includes recommendations and suggestions for beaches, swimming pools, and other water organizations to make sure individuals dealing with specials needs can enjoy these spaces with their loved ones. From providing wheelchair-specific training to lifeguards to having the appropriate equipment onsite, there are many ways to make water activities more pleasurable for all, and this academic resource can help center supervisors take essential steps towards much better accessibility.
Information Specialists
The Reeve Foundation’s group of Details Professionals is a crucial part of the Outdoors for Everyone effort. As many people are preparing outside trips and getaways this summer season, these extremely trained specialists can help find the nearest accessible pool, beach, and other available water programs. Additionally, these specialists are likewise there to assist people and their families affected by paralysis browse the brief and long-term challenges of dealing with paralysis with info and resources.
Info Specialists are offered Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 12 AM ET. Users can likewise set up a call, leave a message after hours, or send a concern in composing.
Resource Map
The Resource Map is an online tool that assists users find available resources, devices, and programs near them. Users can search by city, state, or zip code.
Partnerships
The Reeve Foundation acknowledges that partnerships and collaborations are essential to the success of the Outdoors for Everyone effort. The foundation works closely with others who share a similar vision. 2024 partners include:
Image thanks to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Structure Summer Season Enjoyable for Everybody
Everybody who wishes to delight in the outdoors must be able to– whether that person is aiming to experience the peace and serenity nature can provide or the enjoyable and adventure outdoor leisure can use. The Reeve Structure is doing crucial resolve its Outdoors for Everyone effort by taking actions to make the outdoors more accessible to individuals of all capabilities.
By adding resources specific to water gain access to and water activities, the Reeve Structure will help make a trip to the beach or lake possible for more individuals who are dealing with or impacted by paralysis. Even basic things like supplying accessibility details can make a distinction. Why wouldn’t neighborhoods want to come together to make one part of these people’ lives a little much easier?
For more details, go to ChristopherReeve.org or call the Reeve Foundation’s Information Specialists at 1-800-539-7309.
The Outdoors for Everybody effort is broadening to make it much easier for individuals coping with impairments to access water activities.