You are doing such a great job of showing people what it is like to be disabled! Not only those who provide site information, but everybody needs to watch your videos to understand us better, to realize what our day-to-day life looks like.
Thank you Nina! That's the best compliment to me. One of my biggest goals is to help people understand what it's like to be disabled 🙂 I'm so happy to hear I've been able to give an accurate portrayal!
Loved the video. I also thought of burrowing animals (gophers, etc.). I go to a park where there are animals living under and near the paths creating holes and tunnels.
Great thank you, I am recently disabled, my friend tries to take me to city parks (Denver) and the benches are almost too far apart. Maybe one day back up in the mountains!
Hey Chris! Welcome to the community 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like benches being too far apart are a common issue, even in more populated areas like Denver! I hope you can get back to the mountains someday too. Us disabled folks are nothing if not adaptable so I believe you'll find a way 🙌
Awesome job! I'm super surprised at you getting out on trails with those "cookie cutter" wheels and what looks like solid tyres on the chair. Whilst a solid tyre might be puncture-proof, it has the worst traction and most terrible ride on rough terrain. I'd love for the rangers, councils, other responsible bodies that service and maintain these spaces to spend a whole day in a wheelchair exploring / utilising the spaces they are charged with looking after or providing to others.
Haha you are absolutely right. I don't use a wheelchair often so I have one of the cheapest models available and the traction is truly terrible. I have to hope that full-time wheelchair users with decent chairs fare better than I do on these trails 😄 I love that idea of park rangers, etc, getting first hand experience in what it's like to use a wheelchair on these trails! That would be very helpful, especially for those in charge of making decisions.
I enjoyed watching your video. To change attitudes and how we think of the out-of-doors, more individuals with disabilities must speak out and not accept the present way outdoor experiences are created. Please correct me if I misunderstood you, but there's one concept you talk about that greatly concerns me. It's the concept that the people who design, build, and own open spaces, trails, and other outdoor experiences only need to make information about those facilities available and leave it up to each individual with a disability to decide whether the trail or outdoor experience is accessible to them or not. At least that's what I heard you say. As one who has spent the past almost 50 years fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, was part of the State Parks staff team that wrote the first park access guidelines in 1980 and was a member of the U.S. Access Board's Recreation Committee, creating the first national accessibility standards for outdoor experiences, it's my firm belief that we should not just accept how outdoor experiences are presently designed. We must advocate for a paradigm shift in the way planners and policymakers decide what a trail should look like, or whether people with disabilities (all types of disabilities) get to experience more than an accessible parking space, accessible bathroom, and signage that tells us a 2-mile trail is accessible for 1000 feet! Design of trails is a thought process that up until recently completely failed to consider the needs of all people, including those with all types of disabilities. And that's what we must change. There will probably always be at least parts of some trails that won't be accessible, but having outdoor planners starting their design of a new outdoor experience without thinking about accessibility from the very beginning of that process is no longer acceptable. All park planning must consider, from the very start of the planning process, how trails and other park experiences will include everyone, including people with disabilities. Until we, as a very loud group "stand up" (or sit down in our wheelchairs) and demand that access be included in every aspect of park planning, we will continue to be "given" accessible parking, bathrooms, signage, and a few feet of an accessible trail to experience, and that's not OK! On April 15, I will be doing a demonstration of a 4-wheel drive off-road vehicle called the TerrainHopper. It's one of about 3-4 different off-road "vehicles" available that can, by federal regulation, be used in areas where people walk, like trails. You can see more about the TerrainHopper at: www.terrainhopperusa.com. Here's information about the use of such "vehicles" in outdoor settings: (b)(1) Use of other power-driven mobility devices. A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of other power-driven mobility devices by individuals with mobility disabilities unless the public entity can demonstrate that the class of other power-driven mobility devices cannot be operated in accordance with legitimate safety requirements that the public entity has adopted pursuant to § 35.130(h). (2) Assessment factors. In determining whether a particular other power-driven mobility device can be allowed in a specific facility as a reasonable modification under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a public entity shall consider-- (i) The type, size, weight, dimensions, and speed of the device; (ii) The facility´s volume of pedestrian traffic (which may vary at different times of the day, week, month, or year); (iii) The facility´s design and operational characteristics (e.g., whether its service, program, or activity is conducted indoors, its square footage, the density and placement of stationary devices, and the availability of storage for the device, if requested by the user); (iv) Whether legitimate safety requirements can be established to permit the safe operation of the other power-driven mobility device in the specific facility; and (v) Whether the use of the other power-driven mobility device creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment or natural or cultural resources, or poses a conflict with Federal land management laws and regulations. (c)(1) Inquiry about disability. A public entity shall not ask an individual using a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual´s disability. (2) Inquiry into use of other power-driven mobility device. A public entity may ask a person using an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person´s disability. A public entity that permits the use of another power-driven mobility device by an individual with a mobility disability shall accept the presentation of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other State-issued proof of disability, as a credible assurance that the use of the other power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In lieu of a valid, State-issued disability parking placard or card, or State-issued proof of disability, a public entity shall accept as a credible assurance a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the other power-driven mobility device is being used for a mobility disability. A "valid" disability placard or card is one that is presented by the individual to whom it was issued and is otherwise in compliance with the State of issuance´s requirements for disability placards or cards. I'm doing the demonstration to show the many public parks and open space agencies (local, state, and national parks and open space agencies) that it's not enough to just adopt a policy that allows people with disabilities the right to use these off-road vehicles in their parks and on their trails. To ensure that their public programs of parks, open spaces, and trails are accessible to everyone, I believe that they must (not should!) make these very expensive off-road "vehicles" available to those with mobility disabilities to use, at no cost, in their parks, open space, and trails, to ensure that people with mobility disabilities get to experience the benefits of being outside, in open space, or on a trail like others do. Thanks for listening! Richard Skaff, Executive Director Designing Accessible Communities Email: richardskaff1@gmail Cell: 707-755-1681
Hi Richard! Thanks so much for sharing this info and your thoughts. I apologize if my communication was unclear in the video. Yes, I absolutely agree that outdoor spaces should be made accessible for people with disabilities! I focused more on the information aspect primarily because of the reviews I did for my local outdoor spaces, and because information is something that we as a community can provide for each other right now. The ultimate goal is certainly to make outdoor spaces accessible for all, but that will be more difficult to achieve and requires a lot more time, money, and people. I think it's good to focus on both the short term, attainable goals that we have some control over, while also keeping our long term, ideal goals in mind. I'll think about how I can be more clear on this in the future, and focus on making outdoor spaces accessible too, not just making the information available! Best of luck on your presentation! 🙌
You are doing such a great job of showing people what it is like to be disabled! Not only those who provide site information, but everybody needs to watch your videos to understand us better, to realize what our day-to-day life looks like.
Thank you Nina! That's the best compliment to me. One of my biggest goals is to help people understand what it's like to be disabled 🙂 I'm so happy to hear I've been able to give an accurate portrayal!
Damn, this is such a great video! I hope it receives the attention it deserves ♥
Thank you Christopher 😁 I appreciate you!
Loved the video. I also thought of burrowing animals (gophers, etc.). I go to a park where there are animals living under and near the paths creating holes and tunnels.
Thanks Fern ☺️ Good thinking! Tunnels and burrows could definitely be a hazard. That would be another great thing to take note of 👍
Great thank you, I am recently disabled, my friend tries to take me to city parks (Denver) and the benches are almost too far apart. Maybe one day back up in the mountains!
Hey Chris! Welcome to the community 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like benches being too far apart are a common issue, even in more populated areas like Denver!
I hope you can get back to the mountains someday too. Us disabled folks are nothing if not adaptable so I believe you'll find a way 🙌
Awesome job!
I'm super surprised at you getting out on trails with those "cookie cutter" wheels and what looks like solid tyres on the chair. Whilst a solid tyre might be puncture-proof, it has the worst traction and most terrible ride on rough terrain.
I'd love for the rangers, councils, other responsible bodies that service and maintain these spaces to spend a whole day in a wheelchair exploring / utilising the spaces they are charged with looking after or providing to others.
Haha you are absolutely right. I don't use a wheelchair often so I have one of the cheapest models available and the traction is truly terrible. I have to hope that full-time wheelchair users with decent chairs fare better than I do on these trails 😄
I love that idea of park rangers, etc, getting first hand experience in what it's like to use a wheelchair on these trails! That would be very helpful, especially for those in charge of making decisions.
I enjoyed watching your video. To change attitudes and how we think of the out-of-doors, more individuals with disabilities must speak out and not accept the present way outdoor experiences are created.
Please correct me if I misunderstood you, but there's one concept you talk about that greatly concerns me. It's the concept that the people who design, build, and own open spaces, trails, and other outdoor experiences only need to make information about those facilities available and leave it up to each individual with a disability to decide whether the trail or outdoor experience is accessible to them or not. At least that's what I heard you say.
As one who has spent the past almost 50 years fighting for the rights of people with disabilities, was part of the State Parks staff team that wrote the first park access guidelines in 1980 and was a member of the U.S. Access Board's Recreation Committee, creating the first national accessibility standards for outdoor experiences, it's my firm belief that we should not just accept how outdoor experiences are presently designed. We must advocate for a paradigm shift in the way planners and policymakers decide what a trail should look like, or whether people with disabilities (all types of disabilities) get to experience more than an accessible parking space, accessible bathroom, and signage that tells us a 2-mile trail is accessible for 1000 feet!
Design of trails is a thought process that up until recently completely failed to consider the needs of all people, including those with all types of disabilities. And that's what we must change. There will probably always be at least parts of some trails that won't be accessible, but having outdoor planners starting their design of a new outdoor experience without thinking about accessibility from the very beginning of that process is no longer acceptable. All park planning must consider, from the very start of the planning process, how trails and other park experiences will include everyone, including people with disabilities.
Until we, as a very loud group "stand up" (or sit down in our wheelchairs) and demand that access be included in every aspect of park planning, we will continue to be "given" accessible parking, bathrooms, signage, and a few feet of an accessible trail to experience, and that's not OK!
On April 15, I will be doing a demonstration of a 4-wheel drive off-road vehicle called the TerrainHopper. It's one of about 3-4 different off-road "vehicles" available that can, by federal regulation, be used in areas where people walk, like trails. You can see more about the TerrainHopper at: www.terrainhopperusa.com. Here's information about the use of such "vehicles" in outdoor settings:
(b)(1) Use of other power-driven mobility devices. A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of other power-driven mobility devices by individuals with mobility disabilities unless the public entity can demonstrate that the class of other power-driven mobility devices cannot be operated in accordance with legitimate safety requirements that the public entity has adopted pursuant to § 35.130(h).
(2) Assessment factors. In determining whether a particular other power-driven mobility device can be allowed in a specific facility as a reasonable modification under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, a public entity shall consider--
(i) The type, size, weight, dimensions, and speed of the device;
(ii) The facility´s volume of pedestrian traffic (which may vary at different times of the day, week, month, or year);
(iii) The facility´s design and operational characteristics (e.g., whether its service, program, or activity is conducted indoors, its square footage, the density and placement of stationary devices, and the availability of storage for the device, if requested by the user);
(iv) Whether legitimate safety requirements can be established to permit the safe operation of the other power-driven mobility device in the specific facility; and
(v) Whether the use of the other power-driven mobility device creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment or natural or cultural resources, or poses a conflict with Federal land management laws and regulations.
(c)(1) Inquiry about disability. A public entity shall not ask an individual using a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual´s disability.
(2) Inquiry into use of other power-driven mobility device. A public entity may ask a person using an other power-driven mobility device to provide a credible assurance that the mobility device is required because of the person´s disability. A public entity that permits the use of another power-driven mobility device by an individual with a mobility disability shall accept the presentation of a valid, State-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other State-issued proof of disability, as a credible assurance that the use of the other power-driven mobility device is for the individual’s mobility disability. In lieu of a valid, State-issued disability parking placard or card, or State-issued proof of disability, a public entity shall accept as a credible assurance a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the other power-driven mobility device is being used for a mobility disability. A "valid" disability placard or card is one that is presented by the individual to whom it was issued and is otherwise in compliance with the State of issuance´s requirements for disability placards or cards.
I'm doing the demonstration to show the many public parks and open space agencies (local, state, and national parks and open space agencies) that it's not enough to just adopt a policy that allows people with disabilities the right to use these off-road vehicles in their parks and on their trails. To ensure that their public programs of parks, open spaces, and trails are accessible to everyone, I believe that they must (not should!) make these very expensive off-road "vehicles" available to those with mobility disabilities to use, at no cost, in their parks, open space, and trails, to ensure that people with mobility disabilities get to experience the benefits of being outside, in open space, or on a trail like others do.
Thanks for listening!
Richard Skaff, Executive Director
Designing Accessible Communities
Email: richardskaff1@gmail
Cell: 707-755-1681
Hi Richard! Thanks so much for sharing this info and your thoughts. I apologize if my communication was unclear in the video. Yes, I absolutely agree that outdoor spaces should be made accessible for people with disabilities!
I focused more on the information aspect primarily because of the reviews I did for my local outdoor spaces, and because information is something that we as a community can provide for each other right now. The ultimate goal is certainly to make outdoor spaces accessible for all, but that will be more difficult to achieve and requires a lot more time, money, and people. I think it's good to focus on both the short term, attainable goals that we have some control over, while also keeping our long term, ideal goals in mind.
I'll think about how I can be more clear on this in the future, and focus on making outdoor spaces accessible too, not just making the information available!
Best of luck on your presentation! 🙌
May I know.. you have spinal cord injury or not
Nope, I have a neurological disorder similar to MS