Assistive Technology for Outdoor Recreation
Your Adventures, Your Nature, Your Michigan
Our dedicated team at the Michigan Assistive Technology Program believes that Michigan's spectacular outdoor spaces should be accessible to everyone. Through assistive technology for outdoor recreation, we're breaking down barriers and opening up a world of natural experiences that enhance wellbeing, build confidence, and create meaningful connections.
What is Outdoor Recreation AT?
Our Outdoor Recreation Program connects people with adaptive tools and equipment that make nature more accessible and inclusive for everyone. From e-bikes that provide reliable transportation to favorite fishing, hunting, and birding spots, to ergonomic hand tools and raised garden beds that promote participation in community gardens—assistive technology can open up new opportunities for recreation and connection.
Additional tools like automatic fishing reels, hunting scopes, easy-setup tents, rock scoops, and marshmallow roasting sticks help make outdoor adventures more accessible.
How We Fill the Gap
Michigan has amazing outdoor opportunities available. With outdoor recreation AT can make these opportunities accessible to folks with disabilities and older adults. Outdoor experiences should be available to everyone, but for many people with disabilities—including older adults—access to recreation is limited by physical, environmental, and equipment-related barriers. Assistive technology (AT) for outdoor recreation helps close this gap.
We believe that everyone deserves to experience the joy, relaxation, and connection that comes from engaging with Michigan's natural environment. Our program helps bridge gaps in accessibility by demonstrating, loaning, and providing information about assistive technology solutions that make outdoor recreation possible for everyone.
Why Outdoor Recreation AT Matters
Access to outdoor recreation provides numerous benefits:
- Improved physical health and fitness
- Enhanced mental wellbeing and stress reduction
- Connection with nature and environmental awareness
- Opportunities for social interaction and community building
- Development of new skills and confidence
- Increased independence and self-reliance
- Improved quality of life and overall happiness
- Continued participation in cherished outdoor traditions and activities
Examples of Outdoor Recreation AT
Our inventory includes a wide range of solutions to support participation in outdoor activities:
Automatic Fishing Reels
FISH WINCH EZ is a lightweight, cordless electric fishing reel drive that converts underspin reels into easy-to-use electric reels. It's designed for one-handed use, making it accessible for anglers with disabilities.
E-Bikes
This creates access to favorite fishing spots, hunting blinds, birding spots, and more. You can use pedal assist, which means the motor provides power to help you pedal, the throttle, which allows the rider to operate the bike without pedaling or with a boost of power, or both.
Easi Grip
Easi-Grip Garden Tools have ergonomically angled handles that keep the hand and wrist in a natural position. One of the ways these fist-grip garden hand tools help is that people with arthritis can enjoy gardening with less pain and discomfort.
Success Stories
Doug, a Suttons Bay resident, is a person with a disability. He has COPD which makes it difficult to walk long distances. He also has a LVAD device which helps his heart keep pumping. The LVAD requires battery changes, so he must carry batteries around with him at all times. Doug loves being outside, looking for rocks, going to local festivals, and enjoying nature. He has not been able to go for long walks since having a difficult time breathing and carrying his LVAD.
He reached out to MATP and wanted to try out an E-Trike. MATP staff went out for a demonstration on one of their E-Trikes. Doug loved the trike. He rode around using the pedal assist along with the throttle when going up hills. He had a basket to put his extra batteries in. With the CCAT grant, MATP was able to purchase the Trike for Doug. He was extremely happy, and was able to go on a 12 mile bike ride.
E's Chalk Drawing Experience
E was at a summer event with her classmates. It was an outdoor rec accessible camping day. E wanted to try out the Chalk Drawer. We attached the Chalk Drawer to her walker and she was able to roll around drawing chalk with her friends. When her turn was over she did not want to give it up.
Invite Us To
We'd love to help make outdoor activities more accessible! Invite us to:
- Your Garden club to collaborate on how we can make your garden more accessible
- Your Biking/Ebike club to provide opportunities to explore various types of ebikes
- Your Hunt club to collaborate how we can make your hunt club more accessible
- Your Fishing clubs and outings to provide opportunities to explore various types of fishing equipment
- Your Veteran events to provide presentation on MATP's outdoor recreation program
- Your Summer programs to collaborate with camp staff and participants on how we can create an inclusive space for all
- Your Birding events to provide opportunities to explore various types of birding AT
- Your Michigan DNR events to collaborate on how we can make the outdoors accessible through AT
- Your County/city/state Park events to collaborate with staff and participants and provide AT for these outdoor events
Try Outdoor Recreation AT for Free
Our FREE demonstrations and device loans allow you to explore options in your own environment before making decisions. We come to YOU anywhere in Michigan, bringing examples of outdoor recreation AT solutions that might help you participate more fully in the activities you love.
Whether you're looking to return to a favorite outdoor pastime after an injury, find new accessible recreation outlets, or simply enjoy Michigan's natural beauty more comfortably, we're here to help you discover the possibilities.
Your adventures, your nature, your technology—let's explore the possibilities together.
Contact MATP:
- Phone: 1-800-578-0280
- Michigan Relay: 711
- Email: [email protected]
- Request a Demonstration - Schedule a free AT demo at your location
Browse our other AT categories
AAC - Daily Living - Employment - Environmental Controls - Makers - Older Adults - Outdoor Recreation - Recreation & Leisure - Social Isolation - Youth