Story Archives - Nature: Accessible for All

United Spinal is calling on disability advocates. For years, Medicare rules have forced wheelchair users to pay the full cost of a carbon fiber or titanium frame out of pocket. But on July 20, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a fix.

The Choices for Increased Mobility Act (H.R. 1703/S. 247) requires Medicare to create billing codes so you pay only the difference for an ultralight frame. It costs taxpayers nothing. The bill moved because of advocates like you, who put it in front of their representatives at this year’s Roll on Capitol Hill.

This is a bipartisan sponsored that know needs the Senate to approve it next. Your Senators need to hear from you today!

You can use this link – Advocacy Action created by United Spinal to contact your senators for this issue.

Identifying and highlighting various resources for accessible passive recreation is a very important piece to the work we and our partners focus on for Nature Accessible for All. Recently we uncovered an article about a father who built a hiking cart for his disabled daughter. This is a wonderful resource for keeping families together on the trail.

You can read the full article – GearJunkie

Here is a link for more information about the hiking cart and how to purchase – Huckleberry Hiking | Freedom to Explore

Join Mayor Robert Henken for the latest edition of the Mayor’s Briefing at Hidden Pines. Mayor Henken was joined by Sean Kane Holland, from the Pinelands Alliance, for a review of the pathway at Hidden Pines. To be able to construct this project, the Township worked with the Pinelands Commission to receive approval to build the pathway.
Through the Pinelands Alliance Access Nature Program, we helped advocate for more parks just like this, that allow accessibility for all.
With the help of the Pinelands Alliance, the Township’s Public Works Department, Recreation Department and the Stafford Township Police Department, the Township was able to obtain the approvals needed to construct the pathway, plant over 300 trees, and construct the walking bridge that helps connect the park. Thank you to all those involved in the project.
With the weather getting nicer, Mayor Henken and Township Council invite all to enjoy the new pathway at Hidden Pines. Parking for the pathway is located off Breakers Drive from Rt 72, and along the roadway at the intersection of Canale Avenue and Forecastle Avenue. See less

View the trail review video – here

Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. At the Spina Bifida Resource Network (SBRN), they believe that advocacy is one of the most powerful ways to improve the lives of individuals with Spina Bifida and other disabilities. Yet many people aren’t sure what advocacy really means, how public policy affects their daily lives, or how they can become involved.

That’s why SBRN is launching a new program, Advocacy in Action. Designed to educate, empower, and inspire members of our community to become effective advocates.
Beginning in mid-August, they’ll offer a series of four weekly educational sessions designed to provide a strong foundation in advocacy. Sessions are expected to be held in the early evening and will be offered both in person and virtually. Final dates and locations will be announced soon.
Whether you’ve never contacted an elected official or have years of experience sharing your story, these sessions are for you.

Sessions explore topics such as:
– The basics of government. Our first session will include an introduction to basics of government and how decisions are made. Including the roles of local, state, and federal officials, and how advocacy efforts can help influence policies that impact our community.
– How to effectively communicate with legislators and decision-makers.
– The power of sharing your personal story
– Ways to get involved with SBRN’s advocacy efforts throughout the year.
You don’t need prior experience, just a willingness to learn and a desire to help create positive change.
By participating, you’ll become part of a growing network of advocates working to ensure that the voices of individuals with Spina Bifida and their families are heard. Every conversation, every email, every meeting, and every story shared has the potential to make a lasting impact.
If you’re interested in learning more or participating in this exciting new initiative please complete the attached interest form here and email back to SBRN at info@thesbrn.org Questions? Email them at info@thesbrn.org or call the office at 908-782-7475

The General Assembly Needs to Hear From You Now – Pass Bill A5321!
The New Jersey School of Conservation (NJSOC) existence is entirely on the line. We are in the very final hours of state budget negotiations in Trenton the School of Conservation is calling all nature advocates to call and ask the General Assembly to pass bill A5321. This bill is critical for the restoration of their campus, to serve and educate the thousands of students and teachers that visit NJSOC annually.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and the General Assembly need to hear from you RIGHT NOW! Please call the General Assembly’s office at 609-847-3500, and ask them to pass bill A5321 in tonight’s vote.

Thank you for you continued support, standing up for our kids, our environment, and our future.

Check out the Bill – NJ Legislature

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has is seeking to spread the word about the FY27 Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The draft FY2027 PA TIP–the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program–which was recently released by the DVRPC, includes the highest amount of funds programmed toward the Circuit and Circuit adjacent projects that will connect to the network. This investment is funded with a mix of local and federal funds, including CRP/CRPU, and CMAQ, which has been a primary funding source for trails over the years. When it is adopted, a record number of Circuit Trails Coalition Priority Projects in each of the five Pennsylvania counties in the Circuit Trails footprint will be funded.

We’re thrilled to see the draft FY2027 Transportation Improvement Program for Pennsylvania includes a record number of priority projects across the Circuit Trails network and the highest amount of funds programmed toward the Circuit Trails and adjacent 🚲👟projects. To help get all the @thecircuittrails proposed projects included in the final Transportation Improvement Program, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
Making it safer and easier to walk and bike in the Greater Philadelphia region is closer to becoming a reality, thanks to the inclusion of @thecircuittrails projects in the draft Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program. To help ensure the proposed projects are included in the final Transportation Improvement Program, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
Act now: Help ensure @thecircuittrails are prioritized in the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program. Go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
The draft FY2027 PA Transportation Improvement Program includes the highest amount of funds programmed toward 👟🚲projects adjacent to and #OnTheCircuit. To help get all the @thecircuittrails proposed projects included in the final plan, go to circuittrails.org/get-involved/ to send a letter of support.
Act now to help move forward the Circuit Trails network! Let @DVRPC know you want them to prioritize projects #OnTheCircuit by including them in PA’s Transportation Improvement Program.
Speak out to fund more trails! Circuit Trails projects were included in the draft Transportation Improvement Program, which could mean major funding for trail projects #OnTheCircuit. Send a letter to show support for trails in our region: circuittrails.org/get-involved/

Individuals and organizations will have an opportunity to register public comments with DVRPC through 5 p.m. June 22.

Link to take action – Here