Being stuck in a wheelchair can be kinda boring at times, to say the least, especially if the person is stuck at home. However, there are plenty of activities that can be done outdoors, even for those who are wheelchair-bound. Naturally, outdoor wheelchairs can help, but they can also be expensive. These 8 wheelchair friendly outdoor activities can be done with a regular wheelchair, either manual or electric.

Hiking

This may bring to mind winding, narrow trails that go up and down steep terrain. However, many national, state and regional parks have wheelchair accessible trails that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor wheelchairs. You can also include bird watching and other fun activities while on the trail. At Stephen’s Place, we absolutely love hiking.

Fairs & Festivals

Being in a wheelchair doesn’t have to mean staying away from the various festivals that occur throughout the year. In fact, using a bit of whimsy and some poster board, it can be a lot of fun in a wheelchair. Consider a pirate festival, and turn the chair into a small pirate ship. Or, go for something more relaxing such as a food and wine festival.

Have a Garden Party

This can be at home or better yet in a city park. Most parks have some wheelchair access to the picnic areas. Invite a few friends and/or family and go all out with tasty cakes and cookies, tea and other beverages. Some areas have botanical gardens that would be delightful for this sort of outing.

Boating

Being out on the water can be a unique experience for those who are wheelchair-bound. Fishing can help build dexterity for older people and is a relaxing pastime. In some areas, there are steamboats that can make for an extraordinary trip. The calliope can be really fun, if somewhat noisy.

Dancing

Being in a wheelchair can seem like it reduces the ability to do this sort of activity, but it doesn’t. In fact, there is a company that uses Skype to teach wheelchair dancing. This can be a romantic evening for an older couple, especially if both need a wheelchair. It can also help improve upper body strength for younger wheelchair dancers.

Sports

The Paralympics has almost every type of wheelchair sport. What happens in the major playing arenas can happen in the community. Larger communities may already have teams. Smaller communities can build their own.

Lawn Games

Many lawn games can be played from a wheelchair. Croquet, ring toss, lawn darts, and beanbag tosses are easily done from a seated position. It can also help bring family members together, especially young people and elderly people.

Trips to the Beach

Here it may take a bit of research. Some beaches have paved wheelchair access to the beach. There’s something soothing about watching and listening to the waves as well as seeing others enjoying the beach. 

Near where Stephen’s Place is located, we have some beaches that will rent out all-terrain wheelchairs to make the beach more accessible. Two such beaches that we enjoy are Long Beach in Washington state and Cannon Beach in Oregon.

About Stephen’s Place

Stephen’s Place is an independent apartment community for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, located in Vancouver, WA (7 minutes from Portland, OR).

If you have a loved one with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who is looking for a community to live in, please contact us for more information. 

Stephen’s Place is a private-pay apartment community due to our state-of-the-art amenities and programs. We are a nonprofit and do not profit from our community. We are private pay because we spend more than some housing communities to ensure that our residents are comfortable and can safely live their lives with independence and dignity.