Photo by Zachary Kyra-Derksen on Unsplash
Portland is ranked among the top ten Best Places to Live in the US. “Keep Portland Weird,” the city’s unofficial tagline, is a testament to its easy going and friendly culture. One of the things that makes Portland the tenth best place to live in is the abundance of recreational spots that are accessible. Here are some of the inclusive places you can frequent.
The Great Outdoors
It comes as no surprise that those living in Portland love the outdoors because of its proximity to nature. Even those who value the safety and security of home cannot resist the call of nature. People with disabilities will delight in trials found in Smith and Bybee Natural Area, Hoyt Arboretum, Powell Butte Nature Park, Milwaukie Spring Park, Bridal Veil Falls State Park, and Banks-Vernonia. The drive will be worth seeing Crater Lake National Park. The main viewing area is accessible and three trails will require some assistance.
Arts And Culture
Portland is also known for its diversity of cultural offerings. The Portland Art Museum is wheelchair-friendly and offers guided tours for visitors that have visual impairments. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is an interactive museum that makes wheelchairs and motorized scooters available for those who need them. The Oregon Zoo also offers wheelchairs and motorized scooters plus it has many areas where service dogs are welcome. Pittock Mansion, The Grotto, and Lan Su Chinese Gardens are all wheelchair accessible. Portland’5 Centers for the Arts has facilities and assistive devices for people that have challenges with mobility, vision, hearing, and also those with service dogs.
Dining And Drinks
Canard, Stormbreaker Brewing, Off The Griddle, Urdanetam, and Swiss Hibiscus have ranked as top restaurants with wheelchair accessibility. The iconic Voodoo Doughnuts is wheelchair-friendly, too, and their website has an accessibility interface if you would rather order from home. With Portland’s beautiful weather, there are a plethora of restaurants and bars that offer outdoor seating. You can confirm the range of accessibility facilities they offer online.
Getting Around
Of course, you’ll need to know how you can get around and visit all these cool places. PDX WAV is a transportation program created by the Portland Bureau of Transportation for the transportation needs of people with disabilities. With this program, you can easily request an accessible taxi, Uber, or Lyft through a phone call or their mobile app. TriMet’s stops, stations, and vehicles have accessibility features for those with mobility, visual, and auditory challenges. TriMet also has the Ride Connection and LIFT Paratransit Services for those who are not able to use regular buses and trains. Portland Streetcar is accessible to all riders and also provides reader boards and audio announcements.
Portland can still grow in terms of accessibility, but in general, has complied with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) in many ways. There are many inclusive places for recreation that can contribute to a well-rounded life and there is little reason to miss experiencing them.
