Walking, Rolling, and Driving in the Accessible Outdoors

Shelf Talk

May 5

The days are longer, the sun is (somewhat) back, and the weather is taking a turn for the more comfortable. That means it is time to get outside and enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer, be it your neighborhood park, the shores of Lake Washington, or the not-so-distant mountains.

If you are anything like me though, getting outside and moving can be a challenge. I'm not much for long hikes on steep, muddy trails. I can't keep up with my more active friends. Being disabled can be a huge barrier to feeling I belong in the outdoors. Lucky for us disabled folks, Syren Nagakyrie, founder and director of the nonprofit Disabled Hikers, is working to change the way we think about who belongs outside, and how we connect with nature.

Disabled Hikers is many things: a web portal for resources, an advocacy group, and a community of disabled people who love getting outside. I interviewed Syren about their organization recently, and one of my favorite things was talking about what makes a hike…well, a hike! Syren's answer was validating: a hike is anything you want it to be, so long as you are outside taking in the nature around you. Even walking to a park bench and sitting to observe the natural world can be a hike.

You can watch my interview with Syren on our YouTube channel, plus find links to resources mentioned: Accessible Hiking for All Disabilities, with Syren Nagakyrie.

Syren also wrote a wonderful trail guide called The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon, which you can check out from the library (print and eBook available) or order from bookstores everywhere. This guide has in-depth trail rating specific to disabled people who may need paved roads, little elevation gain, bathrooms, or barrier-free paths (no downed trees, stairs, or other obstructions). Visit the Disabled Hikers website or give the organization a follow on Instagram to learn more about how to get outside as a disabled person, how to be an ally in the fight to make hiking accessible and inclusive, and to get inspired by nature this summer.

See you on the trails!

~ posted by Billie B.

For more on planning your accessible outdoor adventures, check out the following resources, which help disabled outdoor enthusiasts find suitable trails and campgrounds on public (state and federal) land, and connect with other disabled people.

Public Land Accessibility Resources

- Access Pass | USGS Store – A low-cost, lifetime pass for access to U.S. National Parks, available to people with a permanent disability.
- Accessibility (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) -- Portal for accessibility resources in U.S. National Parks, including submitting an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation request or compliant.
- Trails for Everyone — Washington Trails Association (wta.org) – Washington Trails Association portal for making the outdoors more accessible, including educational materials and advancements.
- Barrier-Free Trails — Washington Trails Association (wta.org) – A list of trails suitable for wheelchair hikers found across Washington state, with specific access information including trailhead access, elevation, surface quality described specifically for wheelchair users.
- https://www.parks.wa.gov/156/ADA-Recreation - Washington State Parks portal for ADA recreation, including an interactive map and contact information.

Finding Community Outdoors

- Disabled Hikers | Disability community and justice in the outdoors – A nonprofit by and for disabled hikers focusing on making a space for disabled people in the outdoors, building disabled hiker communities, and advocating for the importance of accessibility.
- Trip Reports — Washington Trails Association (wta.org) – A website where members post detailed reports of their hiking trips. While not specifically designed for disabled hikers, it is valuable for finding up-to-date trail conditions and reading about experiences that make help make decisions about which trails may have unexpected barriers or make the perfect hike.