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Outdoor activities can increase social engagement, reduce stress, enhance physical and mental health, and improve your quality of life. If you are living with vision loss, we want to share strategies and support to enjoy accessible and highly engaging activities.
Benefits of outdoor activities and experiences for people with vision loss
Enjoying nature, outdoor activities, and exploring new places can be exhilarating. These experiences provide unique opportunities to stimulate the senses through sound, smell, taste, and tactile experiences.
Outdoor activities also provide an ideal opportunity for increased social interaction. Significant vision loss increases the risk of social isolation, less time spent outside the home, and for many, can reduce the activities that give you joy. These changes can also impact physical activity, which can compromise health and mobility.
Enjoy these practical tips to help anyone living with vision loss more safely and confidently enjoy parks, recreation, sports, hobbies, and other outdoor activities.
Accessible national and state parks
In addition to a vast array of state and local parks, there are more than 60 national parks in the US and hundreds of sites in the national park system, including national monuments, historic sites, and more.
Many national, state, and local parks have websites providing detailed information about park locations, in-park options, tours, itineraries, and accessibility features that may include:
- Braille or tactile signage
- Paved or well-maintained paths
- Audio-guided tours
- Visitor assistance services and more
The National Park Service website helps you locate parks, trails, monuments, and other park system locations by state. Location history and detailed visitor information are also available. Once you select a specific park or location, you can access operating hours and seasons, fees and passes, trip planning guides, and places to go. This informative website also provides calendars of events, visitor centers, food and lodging information, things to do, safety information and advisories, park accessibility information and features.
The Parks Department also provides added accessibility information, including an overview of accessibility at national parks, dog guides, their website, and more.
You can also contact park services by phone or email to learn more about accessibility features, guided programs, and other assistance. Many parks have staff and resources to support visitors with vision loss, some offering adaptive tours.
Free and discounted park passes for people with disabilities and older adults
The US Parks Department offers the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass, providing free, lifetime admission, as well as discounts on activities and services, at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Access Passes can be obtained in person or through the USGS Store. A Senior Pass, available on an annual or lifetime basis for adults 62+, offers significantly discounted rates, with the annual Senior Pass currently costing $20 (one-fourth the cost of a regular annual pass). Be sure to check pass details, including pass requirements, well in advance of your trip.
Local outdoor recreation options for adults living with vision loss
Outdoor and other recreational activities vary by area, and you can search online to learn more about the activities available in your community. Search activities based on your interests, hobbies, desired level of physical activity, and options tailored for vision loss. Activities can range from guided walking tours to birding by sound, concerts, adaptive sports, including beep ball, jogging or running with a tethered guide, tandem cycling, and much more.
You can also contact a local agency that provides services and support for adults living with blindness and low vision. In addition to providing services and training, these local agencies can be a tremendous resource to learn more about accessible recreation and other hobbies and activities in your community. Information on locating an agency is provided at the end of this article.
Best assistive technology for outdoor navigation
Technology continues to enhance travel to get you to your destination and experience it more fully with vision loss.
VoiceOver and TalkBack screen readers can help you navigate with a tablet or mobile device.
Google offers various options for adults living with vision loss, including:
- Voice Guidance in Google Maps: This feature provides detailed navigation and verbal cues for walking, including streets, turns, and intersection information. Learn more about Google voice guidance.
- Live View with Screen Reader Support: The Live View feature in Google Maps uses your phone’s camera to scan your surroundings and is compatible with screen readers on mobile devices. Check to see if your location and destination are available through Live View. Learn more about accessibility in Google Maps.
- Google Lookout App: This Android app uses AI and image recognition to identify surroundings, objects, and read text. The app can also scan labels, documents, and more. Learn more about the Google Lookout App.
- Google Lens offers accessibility features such as having highlighted text read aloud using select-to-speak or TalkBack, opening visual search results in Chrome for full-screen viewing, using a flashlight for illumination, and reviewing search history. Learn more about Google Lens.
Other accessible tools, support, and AI-enhanced technology include:
- Be My Eyes can connect you to a sighted volunteer for live assistance, and Aira offers trained agents and interpreters for live support.
- Seeing AI and EMVI AI use your smartphone camera to read text, identify objects, and provide an audibly described environment.
- Portable magnifiers assist with spot reading for guide and signs at eye level.
- Smartglasses, such as Meta AI and Envision, provide invaluable audible information about your environment. Meta has also partnered with Be My Eyes for hands-free support when using Meta AI glasses.
- Wearable devices such as those from OrCam and eSight also assist with distance viewing and audio description of captured images.
Technology continues to advance and can be a tremendous help as you navigate throughout your community and explore a broad range of locations and activities.
Where to find vision rehabilitation agencies and support services
Agencies are located across the country to provide life-changing services, training, and support for anyone living with blindness or low vision. These agencies can be such a tremendous resource to help connect you with hobbies and activities throughout your community, as well as online information, resources, and support groups.
Access a list of Vision Rehabilitation Agencies, and visit Time to Be Bold to find local Vision Rehabilitation services and other resources. You can also call the APH hotline to receive support and practical coping strategies for everyday tasks, join remote discussion and support groups, and access free online resources at Hadley, APH Connect Center, and VisionAware.
