Nearly four years ago my mother suffered a massive stroke that left her wheelchair-bound and nearly speechless. She joined the growing numbers of Americans with disabilities.
This Veterans Day could pass as just another holiday, but for her and more than 250,000 disabled veterans in Florida, a roll down the beach or a picnic in the park is not only possible but free on Nov. 11.
The Florida Parks Department offers support services for people with handicaps as part of their usual operation. With a day’s notice, Mom could ride across the sand to the water in a motorized beach chair available at the four parks WLRN randomly surveyed between Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
Those four parks include the beaches at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in Palm Beach County, John U. Lloyd in Broward County, Bill Baggs Cape Florida on Miami’s Key Biscayne and Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys. There are more than 20 beachfront and inland state parks within the Southeast district -- even one with glass bottom boat tours of its coral reef.
Camping also is available at many state parks. While John D. MacArthur’s beachfront location lacks cabins, nearby Jonathan Dickinson State Park offers both ADA compliant cabins and tent sites. Bahia Honda's cabins are on stilts so one has an elevator. Reservations and usage fees apply.
Florida's state parks are open from 8 a.m. to sundown and may reach visitor capacity early on Veterans Day.
You can request a beach wheelchair or another Access for All amenity through the parks website.
At 91 years old, Mom's beach and camping days at Florida's state parks are over but she'd likely enjoy a hands-on environmental display, a visit to a historic lighthouse or an air-conditioned cafe with spectacular views. Visit the parks website to see what's offered at your favorite state park.
