There are many fun traditions and activities associated with the fall season, from drinking the famous pumpkin spice latte to watching the homecoming game at your local school. Seasonal activities usually begin in September and run throughout October and the beginning of November. Some farms offer accessible options for their fall events. Although these options could be wheelchair accessible, we recommend calling the specific place you would like to visit ahead of time to make sure what you want to do is wheelchair accessible, as well as learn of possible barriers you may encounter while you’re there. We’ve compiled a list of classic activities to do either on your own or with your loved ones this year.
Accessible Apple Picking
One tradition that is enjoyed by people of all ages is apple picking. You can browse the selection of different apple varieties that each orchard offers. There are many fun recipes for apples for you to try throughout the season. If you aren’t one for baking apple pies or making your own warm apple cider, you can just enjoy a cup of apple cider.
Baking in a Wheelchair
Maybe apples aren’t your preferred flavor for dishes, but that’s okay! There are plenty of alternate options for traditional seasonal flavors. Fresh pumpkins, spices and cranberries would make great additions to your pies, cookies and other desserts this fall. With the Jazzy Air® 2’s* power adjustable seat height, you can elevate 12” in just 11 seconds, allowing you to reach your ingredients on shelves and in cabinets in your kitchen.
Go on a Hayride
Many farms offer hayrides throughout the fall season. You can take a ride through the fields to see the beautiful colors, pumpkins and vegetation. For those who love to get into the holiday spirit and be scared around Halloween, farms sometimes offer haunted hayrides when it gets darker out.
Accessible Corn Maze
Each year, farms offer different themes for their corn mazes. Many corn mazes have paths that are wide and flat enough for a wheelchair to safely travel through. However, we still recommend that you call the farm ahead of time to ask if their corn maze is wheelchair accessible.
Another factor to consider when visiting a corn maze is weather. While the ground is normally flat, after a rainstorm, it can get very muddy and bumpy, making it both difficult to navigate with your power chair and easy to get your motorized wheelchair dirty.
Much like hayrides, some farms offer haunted corn maze experiences at night.
Decorate a Pumpkin
If you prefer to embrace the autumn season at home, one option you have is decorating pumpkins. You aren’t limited to carving a pumpkin just for Halloween. In addition to carving, you and your loved ones can enjoy painting faces, designs and other patterns onto your pumpkins. You don’t have to take a trip to a farm to buy pumpkins, many local markets sell both big and small-sized pumpkins.
If you do decide to carve a pumpkin, another fun activity that you can do with your family is seasoning the pumpkin seeds with your favorite seasonings and bake them in the oven for a tasty snack.
If you are interested in using power adjustable seat height to make memories with your friends and family, but you don’t know where to buy a Jazzy Air® 2, check out our motorized wheelchair FAQ page to for more information!
*FDA Class II Medical Device designed to aid individuals with mobility impairments.