Active SWV hosts Adaptive Learning Day
Active Southern West Virginia in Partnership with New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, was awarded funding to explore adaptive programming and trail assessment. This work resulted in a day of learning together about adaptive equipment needs, consultation with leaders in the adaptive industry, and continued work to see more free programming become accessible to those with disabilities in our area.
Active SWV asks the community to continue helping inform their work by completing an online survey.
For more information on adaptive friendly programming options, consult the Active SWV online calendar.
Partnerships to Improve Access: Access on the Go
Active SWV was joined by Eric Thompson from Access on the Go ( Access On The Go ‘Building the Outdoor Accessible Economy!’ Promoting Community ADA Accessibility Improvements, Adaptive Recreation, Outdoor Economic Development, Business, Disability Advocacy).
Access on the Go founder and West Virginia native, Eric Thompson has been an outdoor recreation enthusiast and passionate outdoorsman for a lifetime. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2012 leading to permanent paraplegia, he discovered the world of adaptive outdoor recreation. He also discovered the dismal lack of adaptive and accessible infrastructure in the Appalachian region. So he decided that needed to change.
For over a decade, Access On The Go has been transforming central Appalachia’s outdoor recreation destinations into places where people of all abilities can experience the excitement of outdoor sports and explore the region’s natural wonders. We are dedicated to working with our communities, small business, local governments, and citizens to make Appalachia a destination for all visitors and an accessible home for people of all abilities.
Purpose: Access On The Go provides tools, resources and guidance to entities of all sizes and types to support the creation and promotion of accessible infrastructure and ADA/ABA compliance. From gas stations to national parks, every public accommodation has a duty and an opportunity to make accessibility a priority. We are here to support and assist in making that a reality.
Resources: Accessibility Improvement Toolkits
Partnership with Our Park: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The national park is a resource for our local communities to have safe places to be physically active. It is important these places are easy to find, navigate, and enjoy. Active SWV has been a cooperative agreement with NRG since 2016 combining volunteers with interpretive park staff to increase safe programming.
Learn more: Accessibility in New River Gorge
Stroller Friendly Trails: Nicholas, Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, Boone, and Kanawha Counties across city, county, state, and federal public lands.
Check out this list of Easy to Find Vistas in southern West Virginia.
But there is more work to do!
Active SWV staff and volunteer Community Captains continue to learn and train to gain skills for adaptive friendly programming and skills for trail assessments. Community Captain volunteers are currently trained to assist beginners with activity instruction and safety practices. This friendly environment helps individuals to feel comfortable sharing their concerns, limitations, and what they are capable of doing. Feel free to share your perspective through this participant survey.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, free trainings, and equipment access for programs, please complete this form – Community Captain Interest Form.
Do you have a safe and accessible place for an adaptive friendly program to take place? Active SWV utilizes community spaces free of charge and volunteers lead programs in order to remove barriers to physical activity and make WV healthier. All programs are free and open to the public. Additional insurance coverage is provided. Reach out today!
