As summer is around the corner, it is time to head outdoors and experience all that Long Island and New York City have to offer. As a person with a mild physical disability who doesn’t need mobility aid assistance, I still prioritize checking if the places I’m visiting adhere to the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and promote inclusivity. Finding accessible places to visit shouldn’t be a challenge, but since it sometimes can be, here are some accessible places I’ve already checked out that you can enjoy this time of year!
Little Island
Opened in 2021, Little Island is a public park overlooking the Hudson River that creates a serene environment for those who want to embrace nature, use their time to exercise, or just take a stroll around. The park is fully ADA compliant and accessible to visitors with varying types of disabilities. Besides offering audio tours, visitors with disabilities can also enjoy live performances in the waterfront amphitheater (The Amph) or the more-intimate performance venue (The Glade). Varying accommodations can be made for visitors that desire it, such as reserving accessible seating for shows. Learn more about accessibility at Little Island.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Planting Fields is a historic site in Oyster Bay, New York that features various grounds with stunning gardens and structures. It has been included in the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. Spanning 409 acres, this place has a whole lot to explore. From an accessibility standpoint, Planting Fields seeks to create a community that removes barriers to access, and the grounds of Planting Fields are wheelchair accessible.
I recently went to Planting Fields and noticed a visitor in a wheelchair making his way across the grounds. I was very pleased to see how much of this site is flat and has few steps, making those with disabilities able to roam the site at their leisure. Learn more about accessibility at Planting Fields.
Long Island Children’s Museum
Located in Garden City, New York, the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a learning facility dedicated to inspiring children through education and exhibitions. LICM has a variety of accessibility options to fit visitor needs, including a sensory room, sensory sensitive theatre, and assistive devices. The museum is wheelchair accessible and even offers free admission to licensed care providers who are assisting a paid visitor. In addition to these amenities, the museum also hosts free monthly “Friendly Hours” designed specifically for families who have children with disabilities. Learn more about accessibility at LICM.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanical Garden, composed of 52 acres of green space, is committed to making the garden accessible to all who visit. There are paved pathways throughout and most of the specialty gardens are step-free. Personal care attendants who assist visitors can attend the garden free of charge. And there are a range of accessible guided tours and programs available, including early-morning programs of facilitated, multisensory activities in the Discovery Garden for families who have children with disabilities and guided tours and programs available, including early-morning programs of facilitated, multisensory activities in the Discovery Garden for families who have children with disabilities and guided tours and programs designed for individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. Requests for tour accommodations must be made two weeks in advance. Learn more about accessibility at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.