Environment DEC
From the November 2005 issue
Five Rivers EEC Hosts "Inclusive" Outdoor Recreation Day
Early morning rain failed to dampen the spirits of those who attended the "Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Day" at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center last month. Use of the term "inclusive" referred to a number of activities and exhibits that were designed for people with and without disabilities. For example, people with visual impairment learned how to identify trees by touch and birds by ear, and information about the many accessible campsites, fishing piers, boat launches and other facilities was available as well.
Pumpkin, the eastern box turtle,
inspects Zachary Hughes
The Adaptive Sports Foundation brought handcycles for people who usually use wheelchairs, and Five Rivers volunteer Dee Strnisa offered turtles and snakes for people to see and touch. Staff from the Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Public Affairs and Education created an interactive campsite exhibit. Participants learned what equipment they would need for a camping trip and how to plan a menu for simple meals cooked on a campstove. New York State Forest Rangers provided information about using state lands, along with their "Leave No Trace" display.
Inspiring Talk by Adventurer
A highlight of the afternoon was a talk by intrepid adventurer Peter Crowley. He spoke about leading a group of blind hikers to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and about his experience crossing the English Channel in a kayak. "If you have not yet visited the Adirondacks, you are cheating yourself," said Crowley, who has been blind since birth.
From the left, Craig Thompson,
Director of Five Rivers; Carole Fraser,
DEC Universal Access Coordinator
and featured speaker Peter Crowley
Mr. Crowley responded to frequently asked questions such as, "Why do you go to these places when you can't see anything"? and "What do you get out of it"? He spoke eloquently and at length about how he fully experiences the wild places he visits. One member of the audience commented afterward that it was apparent Mr. Crowley "sees" more than many people who are sighted.
Online Resource
Don White presented a tutorial on the Upstate Access Network, an online resource he founded. The Network lists many parks and trails, as well as restaurants, hotels, theaters and other attractions in the state's Capital-Saratoga-Adirondack region that are accessible to people with disabilities. According to the website, information is based on current access codes and was evaluated and rated by people with disabilities.
Note: The December issue of the Conservationist magazine will include "Access for All," an article about opening the outdoors to people with disabilities, written by Carole Fraser, DEC's Universal Access Coordinator.
