Summertime Fun Ideas by John Hayes
It’s summertime, if you are otherwise able, you may want opportunities to be out of the house and enjoy yourself! One problem can derail your plans for fun and that is inaccessibility. Many places still have not opened themselves up to people with disabilities and therefore miss your patronage. Here is your opportunity to help benefit places that are accessible. Your support of these businesses and organizations help spread that word to others that you have every right to partake in events as anyone else. Here are just a few examples of things that are accessible to people with disabilities in Northern Virginia:
The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) offers a chance for adults and children with disabilities to learn how to ride on horseback. The NVTRP teaches riders of various abilities the skills of riding as well as caring and grooming of horses. They currently have eleven horses and can serve up to 80 riders.
The Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge offers a variety of things to do that are wheelchair accessible and available for persons who have hearing impairments. There are paved and stone-dusted paths that have brochures along the way for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Picnic areas have 31″ high tables and are easily accessible for wheelchairs. The public restrooms are accommodated with 35-inch door openings and a roll-in shower.
If you wold like to get away for a couple of days, the Fairfield Inn in Woodbridge has offered a great place to stay for people with disabilities. There are currently four completely accessible rooms with 60-inch circular clear space in the bedroom and bathroom. Room numbers have Braille markings and room phones are equipped with large numbers and TTY capabilities. Lowered closet rods and peep-holes also add to the feel of an ideal bed and breakfast room that seems to fulfill the spirit of the ADA.
If you are looking for activities to do this spring and summer and don’t want accessibility barriers to hinder your fun, check out any of these places that I mentioned or you can find some other activities as well and share your “finds” with us! The “Virginia is For Lovers” website offers a great section just for persons with disabilities. Their website is: http://www.travelguides.org/vaguide.html. Of course, you can always contact IEC for more information or for any additional ideas or suggestions at (703) 257-5400 ext. 114.
from Spring 2007 Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 2
