Rochester Accessible Adventures

09/14/2026

We can't wait to meet up with Ian’s Ride on his way to/through the Rochester area Sept 26th!

Want to join us? Reach out today!

Ian’s Ride: Powerchair Trek Brings Inclusive Recreation Spotlight to the Erie Canal ♿

We’re a week away from welcoming accessibility advocate Ian Mackay to New York State. On September 19, Ian starts a 370‑mile powerchair journey from New York City along the Erie Canalway Trail to Buffalo. It’s his first time in NYC and his first experience on our historic Canal System.

Ian's long-distance rides champion inclusive outdoor recreation and show how trails can be welcoming spaces for everyone. Several colleagues and leaders will join him for parts of the route, and trail users, community members and supporters are invited to ride alongside him, cheer him on or meet up at the end of each day’s segment! Even a mile or two makes a meaningful difference and Ian enjoys connecting with people in motion. 🦼👩‍🦽🚴‍♂️

Let’s give Ian and his team an unforgettable New York welcome as they take on this inspiring journey across the Erie Canal Corridor.

📆🔗Learn more and see the NY schedule: https://www.iansride.com/ride-the-erie

09/14/2026

Can't wait!

Mark your calendar for the upcoming release of "Being Heumann" in select U.S. theaters on November 6 and on Apple TV worldwide on November 13, 2026.

The movie tells the story of Judy Heumann, based on her bestselling autobiography, "Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist." The film highlights Heumann’s role in organizing disabled activists during the 1977 occupation of the San Francisco Federal Building. Hundreds of people with disabilities refused to leave until the federal government implemented regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Section 504 is a foundational U.S. disability civil rights provision that prohibits disability discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The 1977 protest is widely recognized as a pivotal action in the modern U.S. disability rights movement.

Learn more about the Section 504 protests of the 1970s: s.si.edu/3SAOjV2

09/14/2026

Can't wait to see everyone at Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville, NY for Adaptive Outdoor Open House! We will join with several of our Schuylerville area Inclusion Partners to directly connect folks to inclusive recreation opportunities that are regularly available here!

Sept 22nd and 23rd!

Kayaking, cycling, sensory nature trail, and accessible pontoon boat rides with Mohawk Maiden Cruises on the Champlain Canal -- just to name a few! Hudson Crossing Park runs nature programming all year round! Make sure you subscribe to their e-newsletter and follow them for regular updates!


Adirondack Ultra Cycling
New York Power Authority
NYS Canal Corporation




Flyer for HCP's Adaptive Outdoor Open House on Sept 22 and 23rd, with a photo of a person on an adaptive cycle moving along their paved path in the park.

09/12/2026

What happens when you put modified rackets, oversized courts full of red balls, and a whole crowd of mothers, fathers, adult children, friends, and partners together on a sunny afternoon?

Tennis happens!

Tennis has been fabulous this summer! So many new folks on the courts with our coaches! Families and friends playing together and new friendships made!
Best part of it is that some players are still going - finding their closest courts to keep practicing!

Read the story and see the latest photos!
Many thanks to United States Tennis Association - USTA (Official) for their supportive funding!

https://rochesteraccessibleadventures.org/tennis-for-everyone/




USTA Eastern
Move United Sport

A Fabulous Day on the Courts! What happens when you put modified rackets, oversized courts full of red balls, and a whole crowd of mothers, fathers, adult children, friends, and Read More »

09/10/2026

Hope you were one of the lucky participants in the inclusive plein air open paint classes with our Inclusion Partner, Stony Point Arts Studio & Gallery!

If not, catch the next one!

09/08/2026

It's the perfect time of year to get to know folks at our Inclusion Partner, Genesee Valley Audubon Society! They have excursions, including sit-and-bird events, hikes, and even car tours! Bird at home, bird in a park, but whatever you do, have fun birding!

Inclusive birding! For everyone!
Thank you, The Arc of Monroe, for helping us highlight GVAS!

09/02/2026

We are grateful for the highlight in the recent Bridges edition from our friends at Starbridge With over 300,000 people living with a disability in the Greater Rochester region, it is so important to us that information reaches individuals and families who are eager to play and explore TOGETHER!

p.s. Bridges is now available in PRINT and E-editions -- so make sure you are signed up!
p.p.s. Check out RAA's DirectConnect Resource Guide frequently so you are up to date on the growing list of inclusive recreation and destination travel opportunities!
https://rochesteraccessibleadventures.org/directconnect-resources/

https://rochesteraccessibleadventures.org/raa_in_bridges/

RAA Featured in Starbridge’s Bridges Newsletter We’re proud to share that RAA was featured in the Summer 2026 issue of Bridges, Starbridge’s community newsletter — “Explore, Play, Belong: Accessible Summer Read More »

09/01/2026

Wonderful to spend time with NYS DEC Region 3 for an Inclusivity & Accessibility Training Workshop! An energizing day with classroom and field work at Kenneth L. Wilson Campground in Mt Tremper, NY. What a beautiful place!

NYS DEC has continued to work to create processes that help manage accessibility of publicly accessed places across its over 5 million acres of lands. Check out their interactive Accessible Recreation Destinations map and explore options for kayak launches, camping, birding, fishing, photography, and more! https://dec.ny.gov/places-to-go/accessible-recreation

1. Presentation slide on inclusivity and accessibility for welcoming visitors to state lands, projected in a workshop setting. 2. Meeting out under a picnic pavilion between field sessions. 3. Our workgroup assessed the fishing dock and kayak launch, along with the access path that connects the two. Each team member rotated using a manual wheelchair to understand how erosion over the years has impacted the pathway from a user perspective. 4. Boardwalks connect the pathways, and team members looked for changes in the transitions where erosion can create a barrier.

08/31/2026

Montezuma Audubon Center is one of our Inclusion Partners! Check out their upcoming Volunteer Events and see if YOU can join in the important work!

We are excited to be working with this team on transforming their services so more people with disabilities, medical conditions, and just plain 'ol "I can't move like I used to" issues are able to keep on getting outside where they love to be!

🍂🍁 ITS FALL Y'ALL. Well, almost... Our MARSH! volunteer program is ready for fall with more conservation projects across the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Help us collect native seeds 🌱 to be used for restoration projects, plant trees 🌳 with us, or get your anger out on some ❎ nasty invasives ❎ like Japanese stiltgrass, multiflora rose, and buckthorn. All volunteer days run from 9am-1pm and lunch is provided by the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible so all people can take part in our habitat restoration projects. These volunteer days are designed for anyone looking to gain experience in conservation, learn more about what you can do, or just get outside! For questions about MARSH!, don't hesitate to reach out to Community Conservation Manager, Cassidy Attanasio, at [email protected] or 315-365-3588 ext.201. See you out there! 🍂🍁

🍁 Sign up at the link below! 🍁
audubon.org/montezuma/events?title=MARSH!

08/31/2026

Two fabulous Inclusion Partners offering accessible and inclusive Hikes and History Cruises! And they are free through the On The Canals program!



Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville, NY
Mohawk Maiden Cruises

Cruise, hike, and explore with us this fall. 🍂 If you haven't experienced one of our Hikes and History Cruises yet, now is your chance! - https://mailchi.mp/4b2742216543/cruisehikeandexplore