The Commonwealth features some unique accessible opportunities:
CAPEable Adventures was established in 2007, by Craig Bautz, to address the growing desire of physically and mentally challenged children and adults who would like the opportunity to participate in sports and outdoor recreation. CAPEable Adventures offers sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Activities include water sports, cycling, skiing, curling, fitness and special sports events.
Perkins Museum Take a multi-sensory journey through the history of blind and deafblind education over the last 200 years.
Handi Kids Camp, a non-profit, recreational facility for children and young adults with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Ironstone Farm is home to Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy, two non-profit organizations established to provide a variety of services for people with and without disabilities, using horses and the wholesome environment of a working farm.
F1 Boston features F1 cars designed specially for children with disabilities.
Forever Young Treehouse at the Institute for Developmental Disabilities Inc., the first of its kind in the state.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site now offers special audio tours.
Zoar Outdoor has kayaks with adaptive seating for paraplegics, visual signals for folks with hearing loss and special rafting trips for visually impaired people.
Arts & Culture
The Museum of Fine Arts offers Artful Healing Programs. These are theme-based tours and art making activities at area hospitals, healthcare centers, and at the MFA for children, youth, teens, and their families in a group setting or in patients’ rooms.
The Museum of Science Boston has Access Features and Programs as well.
Audio described performances are available at:
Wheelock Family Theatre
Huntington Theatre
American Repertory Theatre offers both ASL and Audio described performances.
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Outdoor Activities
Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
The DCR has many adaptive programs and events throughout the year.
Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston
Mt. Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Rd., Lanesborough, 413-499-4262
• Paved ¼ mile loop trail at summit of Massachusetts’ tallest peak has spectacular views
• Meets all codes and guidelines for accessibility
• Visitor Center, Restrooms, Interpretive Program, Trail Opportunity
At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. Rising above the surrounding Berkshire landscape, dramatic views of 60-90 miles distant may be seen. It became Massachusetts’ first wilderness state park, acquired by the Commonwealth in 1898, to preserve its natural environment for public enjoyment. Wild and rugged yet intimate and accessible, Mount Greylock rewards the visitor exploring this special place of scenic and natural beauty. The roads to the summit are open seasonally from late-May through November 1; weather permitting into the Fall.
Pittsfield State Forest, 1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, 413-442-8992
• Tranquility Trail is a ½ mile paved through the forest crossing a brook and accessible by wheelchair.
• Picnic area, Restrooms, Interpretive Program, Optional Audio Tour component
Streams, waterfalls and flowering shrubs abound in Pittsfield State Forest. 65 acres of wild azalea fields are a profusion of pink blossoms in June. The forest has two camping areas, two picnic areas and a swimming beach. Fishermen frequent scenic Berry Pond, one of the highest natural water bodies in the state at 2,150 feet in elevation. The vista from the top of Berry Mountain, accessible by auto road from April to December, is a striking panorama and a great place to watch the sun set.
Savoy Mountain State Forest 260 Central Shaft Road, Florida, (413) 663-8469
A quarter mile of stabilized stonedust trail travels through woods and skirts the lake. Offers benches and views.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Adams to Lanesborough, 413-442-8928
• 11.2 mile paved trail
• Accessible for handicapped
• Visitor Center, Restrooms, Picnicking
The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a former railroad corridor converted into a 10-foot wide paved, universally accessible, passive recreation path. It runs parallel to Route 8 through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesboro and Adams. The southern end of the rail trail begins at the entrance to the Berkshire Mall off MA Rte. 8 in Lanesboro and travels north to the center of Adams.
Vietnam Veteran’s Rink, 1292 Church Street, North Adams, (413) 664-8185
• Public skating hours
• Wheelchair accessible
• Ice-skating sleds are available
Undermountain Farm, 400 Undermountain Road, Lenox, (413) 637-3365
• Handicap accessible
• Lessons available for those with moderate disabilities
A beautiful Victorian Farm surrounded by 150 acres of pasture, forest and hay fields. A large airy indoor arena (81 x 160), a spacious outdoor arena, and access to miles of riding trails provide ample facilities for riding pleasure.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, (413) 637-0320
• All-Persons Trail is a one-third-mile long and accessible to everyone.
• Restrooms , Education Center.
STRIDE Adaptive Sports offers exceptional instruction in adaptive ski & snowboard lessons in all methods at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock and Catamount Ski Area in South Egremont. See website for more details. The Great Race, March 16, 2013. For STRIDE participants to have the opportunity to show off what they learned through the STRIDE program. The event includes a BBQ with a DJ and fun for all!
Accessible Beaches
Accessible Camping
Accessible Pools
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Sightseeing Tours
Duck Tours The fun begins as soon as you board your “DUCK”, a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle. First, you’ll be greeted by one of our legendary tour ConDUCKtors, who’ll be narrating your tour. Then you’re off on a journey like you’ve never had before. The Duck Tours might be a great way to see a lot of Boston for those who cannot participate in the walking tours of Boston as some are equipped for wheelchair access, make sure you contact the company ahead of time for details: 617 450-0068.
Freedom Trail Boston’s Freedom Trail is a walking tour that visits historical sites in downtown Boston: The State House, Granary Burial Grounds, King’s Chapel, site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, home of Paul Revere, Old North Church, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill. The trail begins in Boston Common where you can purchase a ticket at the visitors center and join a group or tour on your own. The trail is long and has a lot of hills but it is accessible. The Granary Burial Grounds, resting place of Sam Adams, John Hancock, Mother Goose, and Paul Revere (to name a few) is wheelchair accessible. The entrance is located on the northeast side of the cemetery (down an alley on Beacon Street).
Harvard Yard Walking Tour The student-lead Harvard Yard tour gives you a first hand account of the history behind the famous university. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and is free to the public. Wheelchairs are available with a week or more advance notice.
Cruises
Boston’s Best Cruises
The following Boston’s Best Cruises operations are fully ADA accessible:
MBTA Harbor Express – Quincy, Hull & Logan to Long Wharf North, Boston. Year-round operation.
Boston Harbor Islands – Long Wharf North to Georges and Spectacle Islands. May through Columbus Day.
Sunset Cruise – 90 minute nightly tour through Boston Harbor from Long Wharf North. May through Columbus Day.
New England Aquarium Whale Watch – Aquarium dock to Stellwagen Bank. April through October.
The Harbor Cruise vessel is not ADA accessible, but an ADA accessible Harbor Cruise can be arranged with proper notice.
Adaptive Programs
All Out Adventures. Outdoor recreation for people of all abilities.
Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers – Boston, North Shore and Cape Cod support individuals of all abilities in leading active, healthy lives through participation in adaptive sports and recreational activities. Spaulding opened its first Adaptive Sports programs in Boston and on Cape Cod in 2001, and since that time has expanded to include the North Shore. These three sites offer a wide range of land and water based adaptive sporting activities that focus on the value of sports and fitness. At these Centers, participants living with disabilities play wheelchair tennis, hand cycle, kayak, windsurf or row in adaptive boats, and engage in a number of other activities through which they learn new life skills, make new friends and enjoy themselves as they rebuild their strength, gain a sense of independence and self-confidence. The programs are delivered under the supervision of Spaulding clinicians and adaptive sports professionals, and are open to children and adults. Staff members help each participant find the most appropriate activities to meet their capabilities and help them Find Their Strength.
877-976-7272
Community Boating. Persons with disabilities and their guests will have the use of specialized, accessible sailboats and transfer equipment, dedicated staff assistance to get in and out of the boats, and sailing instruction, all for only $1.00! Several seat configurations in the boats are available for people with various disabilities. Reserved sessions, usually an hour in length, can be customized to meet individual needs. They can consist of a short sailboat ride for therapeutic recreation or a more learn-to-sail class structure, leading to ratings and expanded sailing privileges.
Windrush Farm. Windrush expands and enriches the personal, emotional and physical abilities of all those we serve by partnering with our horses and the environment.
The Sports Club Finder connects you with community-based programs, including Paralympic Sports Clubs that have been developed to provide sports programming and physical activity opportunities for disabled Veterans along with youth and adults with disabilities, regardless of skill level. All programs and activities at these organizations are based in the community and are run by the local organization.
Holyoke Rows
THURSDAY ROWING AT Holyoke Rows. This Universal Access Program is free to people with disabilities and their families. They meet on Thursdays May – October at Holyoke Rows. Everyone is welcome from first time rowers to experienced racers. Call Stephanie at 413-320-3134 to set up a lesson.
Piers Park Sailing Center
The Adaptive Sailing Program at Piers Park Sailing Center is a nationally recognized non-profit sailing program which has served over one thousand people with disabilities since the program’s inception in 2007. In 2009, US Sailing awarded PPSC as the Best Community Program for disabled sailors. In 2010, we were honored to be designated a Paralympic Sports Club.
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Sports Venues
Banknorth Garden (home of the Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins)
Fenway Park (home of the Boston Red Sox)
Gillette Stadium (home of the , New England Patriots, New England Revolution )
Transportation
Ferry to the tip of Cape Cod
The Boston to Provincetown ferry service is wheelchair accessible?
Vessels are wheelchair accessible on both the Boston and Provincetown docks. You may require the assistance of our crew depending upon the tide. Please call 617-748-1428 extension 1251 for additional information. Our high speed ferry has wheelchair accessible restrooms, our excursion service aboard the Provincetown II (which is a much older vessel) does not.
Rental Car (Wheelchair Van)
Bus
MBTA: The MBTA bus system serves the entire Boston area, and is dedicated to increasing the accessibility of all its services. All buses are accessible, and are equipped to serve the wheelchair dependent rider. Find out more information about accessibility. Visit the online subway map for a list of accessible stops or call the Office for Transportation Access with any questions: 800 533-6282.
The accommodations and attractions listed are accessible to people with disabilities and have indicated that they meet the following criteria for accessibility:
- accessible parking, where parking is available.
- wheelchair-accessible route from parking areas to entrance, elevator, public restroom and other public areas.
- service animals accepted.
Additional criteria for accommodations include:
- wheelchair-accessible guest rooms.
- the ability to handle special requests for a text telephone or TDD; and for visual notification of fire alarm, incoming phone calls and door bell.
Before planning a trip, we strongly recommend that you call ahead to find out if accommodations and attractions meet your specific needs. Many accommodations and attractions that do not carry the access symbol, provide some, but not all, of the services listed above. For example, many historic buildings have accessibility on the first floor only.
