As Summer Begins, 'Outdoors for Everyone'
Provides Water Accessibility Resources for Those Living with
Paralysis and Other Disabilities
SHORT
HILLS, N.J., June 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Christopher
& Dana Reeve Foundation launched an expansion of its 'Outdoors
for Everyone' initiative with a dedicated focus on water
accessibility. This summer, the Foundation is committed to breaking
down barriers and fostering an inclusive environment where all
individuals living with or impacted by paralysis can enjoy
water-based activities, from accessible kayaking to adaptive water
sports to simply enjoying a beautiful beach day. Outdoors for
Everyone aims to ensure everyone can join in summer fun through
education and key partnerships, providing water accessibility tips
and raising awareness about opportunities for inclusive water
recreation across the U.S.
Piloted in 2023, 'Outdoors for Everyone' was created to ensure
that the outdoors is equally accessible and inclusive for those
living with paralysis, their families, and their caregivers.
Through 'Outdoors for Everyone,' we provide the community and
outdoor organizations with the knowledge, solutions, and resources
to ensure the great outdoors is accessible for all. The pilot
focused on ensuring that walking, hiking, and other outdoor trails
were accessible for wheelchair users and others living with
disabilities.
This year's expansion on water accessibility builds on the
initial focus of trails and parks, helping connect the community to
various existing water accessibility programs throughout the
nation, while continuing to serve as an educational resource to
organizations that share the Reeve Foundation's commitment to
quality of life and goal to make the outdoors more accessible.
As part of 'Outdoors for Everyone,' the Reeve Foundation's
highly trained Information Specialist team plays a crucial role in
helping identify accessible pools, beaches, and other water
programs and assist in providing information that can help
community members plan day trips and vacations. Additionally, the
community can utilize the Foundation's Resource Map, an online tool
that assists in locating accessible resources, equipment and
programs throughout the U.S.
The Reeve Foundation also created a new 'Water Accessibility
Checklist' to serve as a go-to educational resource for the
community and outdoor organizations. The checklist includes
recommendations and tips tailored to beaches, pools, and other
water environments to ensure people living with disabilities can
fully enjoy these spaces.
Recommendations from the 'Water Accessibility Checklist'
include:
- Before Arrivals: Necessary website and map information
for accessibility; training requirements for lifeguards and other
personnel
- Arrivals and Departures: Details on accessible parking
spaces; understanding of wheelchair transfers and transfer
devices
- Things to Do: Recommendations on water-accessible
activities, from using beach access mats, accessible boats and
other water sports, use of accessible flotation devices, and even
adaptive fishing
- Safety and Health Tips: Special considerations for
conditions often affecting those living with disabilities; general
water and pool safety tips to prevent injury
"Outdoors for Everyone is making strides to address preventable
limitations in environments that are critical for well-being," said
Dan McNeal, Director of Quality of
Life Grants Program at the Reeve Foundation. "Nature-based
activities have a profound impact on mental health, social
interactions, and overall quality of life. With water accessibility
as our primary focus this summer, the Foundation is pleased to
support opportunities for individuals living with paralysis and
caregivers to immerse themselves in nature and experience its
unparalleled joy."
Collaborations and partnerships are a fundamental component of
Outdoors for Everyone. This year's partners include:
- The Ability Center - Milwaukee,
Wisconsin
- PVA-WI - Milwaukee,
Wisconsin
- Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) - Annapolis, Maryland
- Impossible Dream – Miami,
Florida
- National Ability Center (NAC) - Park
City, Utah
The Reeve Foundation is thrilled to join forces and partner with
the National Park Service, a champion of the outdoors that shares
the vision of making outdoor and recreational spaces more
accessible and inclusive for all. As part of 'Outdoors for
Everyone,' the National Park Service has provided a list of
accessible programs and resources that have been added to the Reeve
Foundation's Resource Map.
"The National Park Service wants everyone to have an equal
opportunity to benefit from outdoor recreation on public lands,"
said Jeremy Buzzell, Branch Manager
for the national NPS accessibility program. "I'm honored to
contribute to 'Outdoors for Everyone' and to work with the Reeve
Foundation to raise awareness of the existing outdoor recreation
opportunities available to the paralysis community through our
National Parks."
For more information, visit ChristopherReeve.org or call our
Information Specialists at 1-800-539-7309. Our Information
Specialists are available Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. ET - 12 a.m. ET. Live agents are
available to chat via the Reeve Foundation website. You can also
leave a message if you are calling after hours.
About the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to
curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and
improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted
by paralysis. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with
the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve
Foundation's National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC)
promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living
with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and
referral services assisting over 128,000 individuals and families
since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to
elevating our community's voices and needs to achieve greater
representation and independence.
We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for
charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. For more information, please
visit ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community
Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
as part of a financial assistance award totaling $10,000,000 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS.
The content is those of the author(s) and does not necessarily
represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by ACL/HHS or
the U.S. government.
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SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation