Few children would turn down an opportunity to go on an outdoor adventure to a park. Kids experience freedom, wonder, and feasts for the senses. Unfortunately, many children with special needs do not have the same opportunities. Why? Parents may be overwhelmed with the care of their child. Parents may not realize their child could have an interest or ability to absorb and benefit from new and different environments. Some parents feel isolated or have financial burdens that preclude their accessing parks with their children. Transportation may be an issue if special equipment is needed and the family vehicle cannot serve this purpose. Maybe the main reason these families do not take advantage of the parks near their homes is that they simply do not think of it. Special needs children likely can and would garner the same rewards as any typical child.

Many children with special needs live a life of being cared for and having things done for them, out of necessity or lack of imagination. All children can benefit from serving others. That can be in the form of learning to appreciate and protect our natural resources. For example, beach clean-up days are a great way to participate. If a child cannot pick up trash herself, perhaps that child can stuff plastic in a bucket or be a greeter for the event.

As a former teacher at the California School for the Blind and a long-time docent at Ano Nuevo, I organized trips to see the elephant seals for blind, visually impaired and multi-handicapped students for many years. It became apparent that some of my students, who lived perhaps even 20 miles from the coast, had never walked on sand.  Without some pre-instruction, their fear levels of new walking surfaces, sounds, and wind seemed off the charts. It saddened me to think that these students had little to no experience in local and state parks. There may be a parking fee or cost of gas or bridge toll to get to a park but compared to a fast-food meal or the entrance fee to a theme park, the cost is negligible. In fact, I would describe our state parks and beaches as a very good value. Families can often get a park pass at their local library that permits state park entry for two weeks. That is enough time to introduce families to the park system and may encourage them to return.

There are several ways we can reach the families of special needs kids and give them a new framework in which to look at leisure and family time. Many schools have programs to expose families to new experiences in the form of newsletters, resource fairs, and discussion at IEP (individual education plan) meetings. There are agencies such as Parents Helping Parents in San Jose that put-on workshops or provide direct services such as field trips. Some private agencies, such as Vista Center for the Blind, with 3 locations in our area, has a youth program that organizes special events and trips. When parents take advantage of such resources, they may meet other parents and may be able to partner with these parents, so their own family times are supported by others who understand their constraints or concerns and simply make it more fun. As these children grow, connections can be made at workshop sites serving young adults with disabilities.

These ideas need not be a burden. Families can be encouraged to start small and local before branching out to spaces further from home. Every park or every part of every park may not be accessible to all. But that is true for all of us - we all have limits in our abilities and interests. But without at least some initial exposures, how do we know what might spark an interest in a child. It is incumbent on us to be sure we are not limiting special needs children because we have not thought creatively and gone beyond the accessible boardwalk or lift van. Those only help if they are used. We know parks belong to us. And that means all of us!

— Cheryl Besden is an Año Nuevo docent and former teacher at the California School for the Blind