Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA) has received two-year funding support from the REI Cooperative Action Fund for its work in promoting and connecting people with disabilities in the outdoors.
Eighty percent of health and wellness takes place outside of medical offices – and these are often the very spaces that have not been accessible to or inclusive of people living with a disability. Without intentional planning in outdoors spaces like municipal and county parks, campgrounds, and trails, this often results in a person with a disability being left on a dock, turning around at the end of the sidewalk, or just staying home while the rest of the family goes out.
“Rochester Accessible Adventures is intent on creating a culture of inclusion in the outdoors, and the support from the REI Cooperative Action Fund provides a significant boost to the development of our next plans,” stated Anita O’Brien, RAA Executive Director. “The benefits of participation in outdoor recreation and leisure are well-documented, and we must ensure people living with a disability have equitable access to areas and programs designed for human engagement. We are gathering regional collaborators and partners that will enable us to push our preliminary impact to a broad, dynamic level.”
Rochester Accessible Adventures has been working in the outdoor and tourism industries since its formation in 2015, providing consultative solutions to small businesses and groups like Erie Canal Boat Company, Genesee Valley Audubon Society and Genesee Land Trust, municipalities like Victor Parks and Recreation and Perinton Recreation & Parks, as well as regional and statewide entities like the Village of Brockport, NYS DEC, On the Canals, and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
By bolstering the ability of these entities to provide their services in a manner that directly and clearly expects and invites people with disabilities to participate in the outdoors, RAA’s work has resulted in dramatic increase in local, regional, and statewide destination travel and outdoor recreation by people with disabilities.
RAA is thrilled to continue bringing much-needed attention to the outdoor arena and is excited to invite the community to join them. Organizations, community groups, businesses, individuals, and inclusion allies who are interested in supporting and joining in RAA’s 2024 work towards equitable access in the outdoors are encouraged to contact RAA directly at RAA@RochesterAccessibleAdventures.org or through its website contact form.
The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a community-supported public charity bringing together the collective strength of the community to support organizations that are improving the well-being of all people through time outside.
For more information about Rochester Accessible Adventures, visit http://www.RochesterAccessibleAdventures.org.
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