About 3 million Americans use wheelchairs. Many of them have never been able to explore the rugged trails in our country’s thousands of parks—but that’s starting to change. Last fall, Georgia and South Dakota became the most recent states to offer people with disabilities free use of all-terrain wheelchairs at some public parks. Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota already had similar programs.
The 500-pound wheelchairs have powerful motors and more than a dozen wheels that move on treads, the way wheels on tanks do. They can roll over rocks, mud, and tall grass. The wheelchairs can even navigate through snow and sand and climb hills.
“We want to create an unforgettable outdoor experience for everyone,” Jamie McBride told The Washington Post. He works on parks and recreation programs in Minnesota. “People have told us this is life-changing.”