Accessible Adventure Travel for people with Disabilities

The following article appeared in The Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) on May 18, 2005

Paralyzed skier pens outdoor guide
Sarah Toland

Able-bodied folk often take for granted their ability to jump in the car and head to the high country for a weekend of recreation in the great outdoors. For many people with disabilities, such spontaneity isn't easy. For others, the idea of outdoor recreation just isn't conceivable.

Now, however, with more members of the outdoor industry adopting initiatives to encourage and enable disabled travelers, there's no reason why many disabled Americans can't get out and get active.

"Access Anything: Colorado Adventuring with Disabilities," a new guidebook from Fulcrum Publishing, provides an insider's look at the best and most accessible local outdoor travel opportunities for people with disabilities. According to co-author Craig Kennedy, the manual is the first of its kind to be written by a disabled person.

Kennedy, who co-authored the guide with his fiancé, Andrea Jehn, has been paralyzed from the waist down after a skiing accident in 1996.

"What we really want to do with this book is get the word out to people with disabilities that not only can you travel, but you can also go skiing, mountain biking and paragliding," said the 32-year-old Steamboat Springs resident.

According to Kennedy, the market for athletic programs and sports equipment catered to people with disabilities is there: In 2002, disabled Americans took more than 32 million trips and spent more than $15 billion in traveling.

Colorado boasts nine sports and recreation programs specifically created for people with disabilities. At Eldora Mountain Resort, the nonprofit Eldora Special Recreation Program has taught people with disabilities how to downhill and cross-country ski for years.

"Skiing is a sport that most anyone can do, whether you have disabilities or don't," said Rob Linde, director of marketing for Eldora. "The sensation of gliding down the mountain is the same - it's universal. We think it's important for people with disabilities to experience that."

"Access Anything," which retails for $18.95, goes on sale July 1.

Sarah Toland can be reached at sarahtoland@yahoo.com.

With Jim at the Life Is Good Headquarters

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