According to the National Park Service, last year more than 276 million people visited sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Many of those visitors are – or potentially could be – people with disabilities.
In order to make sure that as many national parks are accessible to those with disabilities as possible, the NPS has developed a website to help visitors with disabilities and special needs find accessible trails, programs, activities, and other features at national park units nationwide. If you use a wheelchair or have some sort of a mobility impairment, this is the place to start.
Accessibility Information for National Parks
The National Parks: Accessible to Everyone website provides a substantial amount of information to help make that happen, including state by states listings and descriptions of:
• accessibility accommodations for specific parks
• accessible programs and exhibits for specific parks
• parks with features accessible to the visually impaired or blind
• parks with features accessible to the hearing impaired
• parks with accessible camping
• parks with accessible picnic areas
Finding Out More
Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service, points out that although they “still have a ways to go before we can say we are accessible to all,” that remains the long-term goal for the NPS and the accessibility project.
Because the project is a work in progress, however, visitors shouldn’t assume that just because a favorite park isn’t covered in the National Parks: Accessible to Everyone website, it doesn’t include accessible features. Director Bomar suggests that if you’re considering a travel within a national park that’s not currently included, you may want to call the park or visit its website, which can be reached via www.nps.gov, and check their accessibility information.
