People with Disabilities

Adapting to the Pandemic: Finding Safe Outdoor Spaces in a Changed World

Posted 07/07/21 by Marjorie Turner Hollman in America's Trails | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Photo courtesy Marjorie Turner Hollman, graphic by RTC

Finding a tandem bike I could use has been a journey in and of itself, but once we located one I could get on—and stay on—safely, the sky (or at least as far as we were able to drive) has been the limit in exploring rail-trails. Pedaling along on the back of our tandem, I feel like I am flying. What an intoxicating sensation, after feeling so earthbound by the health challenges I have learned to adapt to these past nearly 30 years.

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Photo courtesy Marjorie Turner Hollman, graphic by RTC

Adapting to the Pandemic: Finding Safe Outdoor Spaces in a Changed World

Posted 07/07/21 by Marjorie Turner Hollman in America's Trails | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Finding a tandem bike I could use has been a journey in and of itself, but once we located one I could get on—and stay on—safely, the sky (or at least as far as we were able to drive) has been the limit in exploring rail-trails. Pedaling along on the back of our tandem, I feel like I am flying. What an intoxicating sensation, after feeling so earthbound by the health challenges I have learned to adapt to these past nearly 30 years.

Dan, Michaela and Saul Brownstein, with their dog Rufus, on the Elephant Swamp Trail in New Jersey | Photo courtesy Dan Brownsteins

Adapting Trail Trips for a Hiker With a Disability: A Family’s Advice

Posted 04/15/21 by Dan Brownstein in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Mapping and Technology, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Saul is 22 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has needed to use a power wheelchair full time since about age 14, but that has not stopped him from exploring the outdoors. Saul has traveled to 42 states and several foreign countries. He has skied, surfed and skated using adapted equipment for his disability. To that end, we’ve put together a few tips for those who may have a disability or a mobility challenge, and want to get out on the trail.

Ian Mackay on Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by Jesse Major

Five Trail Moments with Ian Mackay, Founder of Ian's Ride

Posted 04/13/21 by Ian Mackay in Trail Use, Health and Wellness, America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

I was able to retain my happiness and sanity during this difficult year by getting outside. My preferred venue: The Olympic Discovery Trail. Here are 5 #TrailMoments that were particularly special for me during the 2020 year.

The Three of Us | Courtesy Darlene Maxfield

Connecting to Nature, Connecting as a Family, on America’s Trails

Posted 01/14/21 by Darlene Maxfield in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments

Since COVID-19 began, our activities have been limited and our universe has shrunk. I know we’re not alone in this; so many people have been limited in what they can do during this time. But we found that one activity still brings us so much joy—biking as a family on our local trails.

Photo by Vasu Sojitra | Triple Tree, Drinking Horse and the M trails, on the land of Apsáalooke, Salish-Kootenai, Northern Cheyenne, Niitsitapi, Shoshone-Bannock and many other Nations

Tips, #TrailMoments and Talk with Vasu Sojitra

Posted 12/07/20 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Video, Why Use Trails?

RTC interviewed Vasu Sojitra, a professional athlete, and a diversity, equity and inclusion strategist. It was an awesome and eye-opening conversation about his time on the trail—his favorite #TrailMoments—and how we can all make outdoor spaces more inclusive and accessible.

New York's Highline | Photo by Adrian Cabrero

How to Adapt Trail Activities and Gear for Cold and Winter Conditions

Posted 11/23/20 by Emilia Benton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Common outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running and cycling can be done safely in the fall and winter, as long as you’re adequately prepared and plan to recreate responsibly.

Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., and Maryland | Photo by India Kea

How to Build Physical Activity Into Daily Life on Trails During COVID-19

Posted 11/20/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Getting outside right now, especially on local trails, can provide a wealth of benefits to your body and mind—once you get in the habit. Some of the most common trail activities—biking, skating, running—can burn over a thousand calories in an hour’s time. And being out in nature—especially right now, as more people are staying home and cool weather is making people less inclined to step outside—can strengthen your resilience and mental health.

John Ernest Berry III on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in Washington State in August 2019 during a five-day trip with colleague and friend Bob Myrick | Photo by Bob Myrick

Five Days and 100 Miles: A Trip of a Lifetime Across the Cascades (A Memoire)

Posted 11/09/20 by Sue Nicholson in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Biking, People with Disabilities, Success Stories, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington

John became a staunch advocate for wear-a-helmet programs after the accident that would change his life. While bicycling downhill, a car pulled in front of him—resulting in a collision in which he was propelled through a windshield at 38 miles an hour. He was not wearing a helmet. As a result of the accident, he suffered a brain injury that caused severe short-term memory loss, speech and vision problems, and partial paralysis on his left side. He walks with a cane.

Lake at the end of the Patuxent Branch Trail | Photo by TrailLink user dks3405_tl

When Trails United Us: A Look at Iconic People and Projects in America Right Now

Posted 09/10/19 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, People with Disabilities, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

RTC launched the Great American Rail-Trail, embarking on a journey to complete the first multiuse trail across America that will be entirely separated from vehicle traffic. The enthusiasm the Great American has inspired is contagious.

Ian Mackay, founder of Ian's Ride (second from left), at the foot of Mount Rainier with friends Jesse Collens, Kenny Salvini and Todd Stabelfeldt | Photo by Teena Woodward

A Serious Injury Changed Cyclist Ian Mackay’s Life. Trails Helped Him Rebuild It.

Posted 08/27/19 by Scott Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Champions, Design Strategies, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

A motorized wheelchair powered by sip-and-puff inputs coupled with the ever-improving voice recognition capabilities of a smartphone offered Mackay a degree of independence, and allowed him to get outside without a caregiver at his side at all times. The Olympic Discovery Trail, a rail-trail that runs near his home, called to him. “That trail is where I found my solace,” Mackay said. “I was a field biologist before. I spent a ton of time outside.” Now, he said, “I could start exploring the Pacific Northwest on my own and appreciate those loves I had before I was injured.”

A ride at Lake Artemesia with the Metro Washington Association for Blind Athletes | Photo courtesy MWABA

Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes Makes Tandem Connections on DC Trails

Posted 12/20/18 by Scott Stark in Trail Use, Success Stories | Tagged with Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, Health and Active Living, People with Disabilities

“The speed, the freedom, the sense of connection—it’s what made me fall in love with biking,” explained Karla Gilbride. Discussing regular after-work trips down Washington, D.C.’s Capital Crescent Trail on a tandem bike, she describes the hustle and bustle of commuters in Bethesda, the smell of the Potomac River, the feel of the wind whipping past, the cool breezes found near the water’s edge and the sounds of early nightlife in the hip Georgetown neighborhood. What she doesn’t go into are the sights along the trail. Blind since birth, Gilbride, the founder of MWABA, the Metro Washington Association of Bline Athletes, connects with her rides in different ways.

Biking with Margot on the Schuylkill River Trail in Pennsylvania | Photo courtesy Dr. Peter Doehring

Accessible Trail Adventures for People of All Abilities

Posted 05/15/17 by Peter Doehring in Trail Use, America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Schools and Young People, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Sometimes it can be hard to imagine how to plan a successful adventure for your family with special needs. But when the trips are successful, the exercise and shared enjoyment that trails offer can be incredibly powerful and restorative! Here are a few tips on how to ensure people of all abilities are having a great time out on the trail.