Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
WSB Channel 2 Atlanta
Georgia to expand all-terrain wheelchair program to 20 chairs, increase access to state parks
By WSBTV.com News Staff,
4 hours ago
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced at the end of June that it expanded its Outdoors Beyond Barriers program, nearly doubling the number of all-terrain wheelchairs it had across the state.
The Outdoors Beyond Barriers program is an outdoor accessibility initiative, which uses all-terrain wheelchairs to allow any visitors, regardless of physical limitations to enjoy Georgia’s state parks and outdoor spaces.
The department said the program, which started with 11 all-terrain wheelchairs in 2022 in partnership with Aimee Copeland Foundation’s All Terrain Georgia, added nine more, for a total of 20 at 19 locations.
The wheelchairs, called Action Trachairs, were added to eight more state parks and historic sites for people with mobility impairments, according to DNR.
The following state sites are now equipped with ATCs:
Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Seminole State Park, Donalsonville
Indian Springs State Park, Flovilla
Richard B. Russell State Park, Elberton
Crooked River State Park, St. Marys
General Coffee State Park, Nicholls
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah
A.H. Stephens State Park, Crawfordville
Little Ocmulgee State Park, Helena
“The addition of these chairs at our state parks will help to remove some of the obstacles associated with getting outdoors for those with mobility issues,” said Commissioner Walter Rabon of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “I’m excited to see the Outdoors Beyond Barriers program continue to grow, making the outdoors more accessible for all Georgians, as well as our out-of-state visitors.”
Georgia also introduced a new hybrid manual wheelchair-mountain bike to state parks, meant to enhance mobility on different types of terrain. The GRIT Chairs, provided through a grant from the Bronco Wild Fund, are already available for use.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0