Cities of Inclusivity: Accessible Arts, Attractions and Outdoors
Michigan’s accessible attractions create wide-open spaces for travelers with disabilities.
From museums to stadiums, Michigan’s cities are expanding their levels of inclusivity to accommodate a wide range of guests with disabilities. While travelers can always expect attractions to follow the American Disabilities Act, these are the venues that are truly going above and beyond.
Catch a Show and Explore Michigan’s Capital Area
The Lansing area has accessible activities for all ages and interests. High Caliber Karting & Entertainment in Okemos debuted wheelchair-accessible go-karts in 2022. Downtown Lansing is also home to Play Michigan, a universally accessible playground for the young and young at heart.
The city has proved to be a standout location for travelers with autism and sensory differences; in fact, it’s been named one of the top locations for travelers with autism by TravelAbility. Potter Park Zoo became the first zoo in Michigan to be named a Certified Sensory Inclusive Zoo, a designation from KultureCity that requires training and specific resources for those with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions.
Lansing’s increased efforts in 2018 as the Wharton Center hosted a sensory-inclusive performance of Disney’s “The Lion King.”
“We worked throughout the community to build an experience for those who would be traveling to our community to take advantage of this very special performance,” shared Julie Pingston, President and CEO of Choose Lansing. “In partnership with the Mid-Michigan Autism Association, we created sensory programming at all of our key attractions, placed sensory toolkits at attractions and on public transit buses, and provided sensory training for our front-line hospitality workforce that reached over 1,000 people and was embraced by businesses outside the hospitality industry.” Sensory-inclusive efforts continued after the performance, including adding sensory rooms at the airport, Breslin Center and Jackson Field Stadium.
Experience Nature and Museums in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, visitors can enjoy the barrier-free Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, or explore the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum with exhibits that feature closed-captioning, text panels and a T-coil-assisted listening loop.
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum also offers sensory bags and sensory-friendly play times outside regular museum hours. Blandford Nature Center, Grand Rapids Public Museum and the John Ball Zoo have a long-standing partnership with KultureCity to meet the needs of visitors with sensory differences. In addition to sensory-friendly offerings, the Grand Rapids Public Museum has the free Aira app, which provides remote agents to guide visitors who are blind or low-vision through the museum.
In 2013, Nate Hurwitz Field was completed at the Meijer Sports Complex. The field was designed for the West Michigan Miracle League to create inclusive opportunities for disabled athletes to play baseball.
“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing amenities that Grand Rapids offers, and part of that is being inclusive when it comes to accessibility. This inclusion means that individuals with disabilities can participate fully in the world-class assets that we have here,” said Kate Lieto, Associate VP of Marketing at Experience Grand Rapids. “We know that Grand Rapids isn’t perfect when it comes to accessibility; there are a lot of caring and hardworking people striving towards being a truly accessible destination. I look forward to continuing this work in partnership with our friends at Disability Advocates for years to come.”
Discover Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
In Northern Michigan, Traverse City offers something for everyone from art lovers to outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can catch a show at the State Theatre and Bijou By The Bay featuring sound-amplifying headsets and Sony Access Glasses that allow viewers to see closed captioning on the movie screen and can also provide audio descriptions.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the Joy 2 Ride program, allowing passengers with mobility disabilities to ride on a modified wheelchair bike and take in breathtaking views of the Betsie Valley Trail. A trip to the Traverse City region wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. There are multiple accessible trails and beaches. Guests who want a more immersive experience can rent electric track chairs and sand wheelchairs for free.
“Traverse City Tourism works to make this region welcoming to everyone, and we do mean everyone,” said Mike Kent, Public Relations Manager for Traverse City Tourism. “That means attention to mobility, but much more. It means creating an environment that understands the needs of mobility, sensory concerns, audio and visual impairments, dietary restrictions, PTSD limitations and more. With constant new construction of lodging facilities and renovations, becoming ADA compliant is just the beginning. There needs to be staff training and building a culture of hospitality for special needs. It’s not just good business — it’s a matter of being good humans.”
Accessible tourism is a crucial part of allowing everyone to experience all that the great State of Michigan has to offer. It isn’t just good for business; it also shows visitors that disabled visitors are valued and welcomed here. To learn more about accessible tourism in Michigan click here.
About the Author: Charlotte Bachelor is a Detroit-based writer and disability advocate. She is the founder of the Detroit Accessibility Project and has contributed to both Visit Detroit and Pure Michigan.