Skip to main content

Adults with Disabilities Conquer National Parks

toad&co take adults with disabilities into national parks
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Perhaps one of the best things about the United States is our national parks system. It maintains and protects some of the nation’s most beautiful and badass areas (one is literally called The Badlands after all). We’re actively encouraged to muck about in these breathtaking, pristine, diverse ecological nooks and crannies, earning valuable skills, learning about ourselves, and gaining a greater appreciation for nature. It’s an amazing deal. But for some, it hasn’t been possible to venture into the parks. Toad&Co is changing that. They have teamed up with the National Park Foundation and Wilderness Inquiry to help adults with disabilities experience our national parks.

adults with disabilities canoe with Toad&Co and Wilderness InquiryThe activewear company Toad&Co, originally known as Horny Toad (we all thank them for moving on from this name), has incredible clothes, sure, most even made from organic cotton. But what really sets this company apart is its commitment to doing good. Started in 1991 in a Telluride garage with just one person making fleece hats, Toad&Co has grown into a major company, consistently voted one of the best places to work. In 2015, employees worked over 1,200 volunteer hours, they beautify the cities they live in, clean up rivers, work with the Boys and Girls Club, and serve in soup kitchens. They even weeded the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden. These are some helpful people.

Toad&Co has a history of improving the lives of those with disabilities. In 1997, they created the Planet Access Company (PAC) to a member of Toad&Co's PAC initiative to provide jobs and training for adults with disabilities provide job training and skills to adults with disabilities who might otherwise not have a great opportunity to work. Since 2001, Toad&Co’s entire inventory is picked, packed, and shipped by members of the PAC team. That same year they started Search for Adventure, which sends employees from PAC on trips into the great outdoors. “Employing adults with disabilities and connecting them to the outdoors is one of the most important things we do at Toad&Co and has been part of our mission since the beginning,” says Gordon Seabury, Toad&Co’s founder. “People with disabilities have the right to experience that same life-changing effect that the outdoors has had on me.”

wilderness inquiry uses canoemobile to help the disabled experience <a href=national parks" width="310" height="198" />So, it was a natural fit to help the National Park Service celebrate its centennial by ensuring all Americans can appreciate the wilderness we have. A generous grant given by Toad&Co allows 1,000 adults with disabilities to experience ten national parks this year. How’s it work? Wilderness Inquiry, a fantastic educational organization that helps people from all walks of life get out on the water, is using its Canoemobile, a fleet of 24-foot Voyageur canoes, to hit the waterways of our national parks with adults with disabilities. Stops include the likes of Golden Gate National Recreational Area, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and Big Thicket National Preserve. Toad&Co hopes this will be just the beginning of the participants’ relationship with the great outdoors. Participants are encouraged to apply for a lifetime pass that grants access to over 2,000 recreational spots around the US and with the launch of Find Your Park, it’s never been easier for people to find parks and activities that speak to them.

The program started in April and will run through November of this year and you can follow the Canoemobile’s progress on the map. Anyone interested in participating can find the link here. Now get out there in your Toad&Co activewear and Find Your Park.

Elizabeth Dahl
Elizabeth Dahl is a southern girl in the heart of Los Angeles who lived far too long before learning what an incredible food…
Apple just gave hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders a great reason to use Apple Maps and ditch Google Maps
Go anywhere and never get lost
Apple Maps update press release photo

Google Maps has long been a dominant player in navigation, known for its comprehensive data and ease of use. However, with the release of iOS 17, Apple has introduced a game-changing feature that's set to make Apple Maps the go-to choice for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Apple is finally introducing offline maps, and it's a feature that will revolutionize the way hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders navigate the great outdoors.
iOS 17 unveils offline maps for Apple Maps
Apple Maps has come a long way since its initial launch, and it's continually striving to offer users a more robust and feature-rich experience. With the launch of iOS 17 on September 18, 2023, Apple is introducing offline maps, a feature that will be a game-changer for those who love outdoor activities.

Offline maps allow users to select specific areas to download to their phones. Once downloaded, these maps can be accessed and used without an internet connection. This makes it possible to enjoy turn-by-turn navigation and conduct searches even in remote areas where internet connectivity may be unreliable or nonexistent. It works similarly to Google Maps in the sense that you do need a WiFi connection to download the maps, but after that, you're good to go off the grid.
The perfect companion for outdoor adventures
For outdoor enthusiasts, this feature is a dream come true. Whether you're hiking in the wilderness, camping in a remote location, skiing down the slopes, or snowboarding in the mountains, having access to offline maps can be a lifesaver. Here's how this feature can benefit different adventure seekers:

Read more
Ultimate relaxation: This massage chair is $3,700 off until tomorrow
A woman sitting in the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair.

Relaxing at home is a much-underrated activity for many of us. That's why we had to highlight one of Best Buy's deals of the day which has a Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair down to $1,799. It usually costs $5,499 so you're saving a spectacular $3,700 off the regular price. Whether you've had a long day at work or you've just got back from a hectic session at the gym, you need a great massage chair to relax into. Here's what we know about it while you decide whether to hit the buy button or not. Remember -- you've only got until the end of today to do so.

Why you should buy the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair
Arriving with no assembly required, the Sharper Image Revival Zero Gravity Massage Chair is far better than any of the best massage guns you may have been considering for your post-workout recovery. It offers the most beneficial position for you to sit with the least amount of pressure on your spine.

Read more
These are the 13 best Brad Pitt movies, ranked
Does your favorite Brad Pitt movie make the list?
Brad Pitt staring across the table

If you were to look up the word "superstar" in the dictionary, it wouldn't be surprising if Brad Pitt's visage was strewn across the page. When you hear his name, it’s hard not to think of his chiseled abs, effortless charm, and distinctively beautiful face. Many may even immediately think of all the media surrounding his romantic entanglements with Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston, but we’re definitely not here to talk about that.

Today, we are here to talk about the many strides Brad Pitt has made in his film career; from war movies to heist comedies, he's taken his physical beauty and made the most of it. While he may not have the reputation of Tom Hanks or Al Pacino, Pitt has become a great performer in his own right. In addition to his prolific acting career, Pitt is also a producer with more than 60 credits to his name. Clearly, there is much more to him than just what meets the eye, which is part of what makes him such a compelling screen presence.

Read more