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Activities for Paralyzed People in Orlando

Traveling to Orlando, Florida, should be fun for all, regardless of mobility issues. As a popular vacation spot for kids and adults alike, Orlando has adapted its activities and attractions to accommodate paralyzed and disabled visitors. The Magic Kingdom has worked with designers to make its attractions accessible to all, including Disney's Living Seas for scuba certified disabled and Epcot's dolphin attraction for those who aren't. For those intending to spend their time in more leisurely pursuits, Orlando golf courses are some of the few that promote disabled golfing.

  1. Disney World

    • No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Disney World. The park has been made accessible to all guests and employs staff to see specifically to the needs of paralyzed and disabled guests. Ride designs either require wheelchair-bound visitors to transfer from their chair into the cars or have cars that can be readily adapted to fit a wheelchair. The official guide maps indicate to which type of car the rides feature. Those that require transferring from a wheelchair to the cars often have sample cars discreetly placed out front so riders can figure out the logistics of the transfer beforehand.

    Scuba Diving

    • The Handicap Scuba Association was founded in 1981 with the intention of improving the social and physical well-being of disabled people through scuba diving. Members of this association work throughout the world, and instructors are available in the Orlando area. Disabled people who already have their scuba diver certification can take part in Disney World's DiveQuest Program. This program allows certified divers to explore the Living Seas, a 6 million gallon ocean environment. Epcot's Dolphins in Depth Program is accessible for those without scuba diving certification since the water only reaches to about waist height.The program's staff has been trained to properly assist disabled guests, so they can enjoy and interact with the dolphins on a personal basis.

    Golf

    • Within the United States, only about 2 percent of the country's 16,000 golf courses provide access for paralyzed and disabled golfers. The Grand Cypress Golf Club, Grande Lake Orlando and Grande Pines Golf Club, all located within the city of Orlando, are three courses that provide access to all. These golf clubs provide specially designed golf carts that allow disabled players to get around the green and participate in the game. The golf carts hold a single rider, and with the aid of hand controls, golfers are able to change the orientation of the seat so that they can swing at the ball properly. Players with enough leg strength can also propel the seat into a more vertical position and hit the ball while standing. The Orlando courses use the SoloRider golf cart, which has ergonomic controls and the ability to handle rough terrain, but at the same time doesn't damage the green.

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