Antigo Times

Top Menu

  • E-Editions
  • Contact Us

Main Menu

  • News
    • Business
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Courts
  • Arts & Ent
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Best of 2023
  • E-Editions
  • Contact Us

logo

Antigo Times

  • News
    • Business
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Courts
  • Arts & Ent
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
  • Classifieds
    • View Ads
    • Place Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Obits
  • Best of 2023
DNRLocal Interest
Home›DNR›All-Terrain Wheelchairs And Adaptive Equipment Open The Outdoors For Wisconsinites With Disabilities

All-Terrain Wheelchairs And Adaptive Equipment Open The Outdoors For Wisconsinites With Disabilities

By Antigo Times
August 21, 2020
1795
0

FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is committed to providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all abilities around the state. In our parks and forests, on land and in water, the DNR’s Open the Outdoors program helps ensure that everyone can make memories and learn new skills in Wisconsin’s outdoors.

The DNR would like to remind Wisconsinites of resources available through Open the Outdoors, as well as recent permit changes that have increased accessibly across the state.

Open The Outdoors

Through Open the Outdoors, Wisconsinites with disabilities have access to seasonal adaptive equipment at state parks, including adaptive kayaks, beach wheelchairs and cross-country sit skis.

The DNR provides 10 accessible cabins at select state parks and forests, including eight large cabins and two smaller, rustic cabins. For those who would prefer to camp in a tent or RV, the DNR also offers accessible campsites at every state park and forest.

Additionally, hunters with certain physical disabilities are allowed special permits, such as one that allows shooting from a motor vehicle. Some Wisconsin residents with disabilities are also eligible for a discount on their annual fishing license. And, since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), every fishing pier the DNR builds is accessible to people with disabilities.

Permit-Free Access To Department Lands; All-Terrain Wheelchairs Now Available

The Wisconsin DNR recently modified its Manual Code 2527.7 to expand the definition of “wheelchair” and be more inclusive of medical mobility devices. Due to this update, Other Power-Driven Mobility Device (OPDMD) permits are no longer required for off-road wheelchairs, including track chairs, to be operated on state lands. This revision was made in response to U.S. Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) updates on the use of power-driven mobility devices (PDMD). These ADA updates require public entities to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to allow PDMDs at public facilities.

And now, thanks to a partnership between the DNR and Access Ability Wisconsin, there are new options for those who want to explore department lands. Access Ability Wisconsin provides all-terrain wheelchairs for rent throughout the state that can be used for hunting, birding, fishing or simply exploring new paths. Reservations can be made by using Access Ability’s online form.

About Open the Outdoors: Open the Outdoors is your resource for recreation options for individuals with disabilities. Learn more here.

Previous Article

Thomas R. Hubatch, 80

Next Article

Find Your Adventure, Go Wild In Wisconsin

Related articles More from author

  • Local Interest

    Antigo girl’s rummage sale gives unselfishly to animal shelter

    May 11, 2016
    By Antigo Times
  • Local Interest

    Unified School District of Antigo schools open for over 55 years

    May 16, 2016
    By Antigo Times
  • Arts & EntertainmentHealthLocal InterestNews

    Community Calendar for 5/23/16 to 5/30/16

    May 19, 2016
    By Antigo Times
  • Local InterestNews

    Birth Announcements for 5/30/16

    May 25, 2016
    By Antigo Times
  • Arts & EntertainmentHealthLocal InterestNews

    Community Calendar for 5/30/16 to 6/6/16

    May 25, 2016
    By Antigo Times
  • Local Interest

    North Central Region road construction update

    May 26, 2016
    By Antigo Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×