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Activities For Adults With Disabilities, Special Needs Children And Disabled Veterans

The Florida Keys offer a wide range of fun activities for adults with disabilities, special needs children and disabled veterans.

Florida Key activities run the gamut from Key West museums, to theater and entertainment venues.

You can go swimming with dolphins or enjoy a relaxing dip in a public swimming pool.

You can even get out and experience the beauty of a natural Florida, exploring wheelchair accessible hiking trails.

No matter where you go, from Key Largo to Key West, there's plenty of fun Florida Keys things to do.

The activities for disabled adults, special needs children and disabled veterans are almost limitless, thanks in part to the fact that Florida Keys attractions are as ADA compliant as possible.


Hiking Trail National Key Deer Refuge

Hiking Trail At National Key Deer Refuge, Big Pine Key





Florida Keys State Parks
Activities For Adults With Disabilities
Tips For Wheelchair Access, Hearing
Impaired And Blind Travelers

By law, the State Parks have to be fully wheelchair accessible and therefore are ADA wheelchair access compliant. This includes Park facilities, as well as Ranger sponsored programs and events.

The exception to the State Parks being able to provide full access to Park features is when the historic structure of a building could be jeopardized due to ADA modifications. However, when it's not possible to make the necessary handicap access alterations, other steps are taken to ensure people with disabilities are accommodated.

One of the more popular activities for adults with disabilities is to get outside and enjoy the wheelchair accessible trails. If this is of interest to you, you'll want to take a look at our information on hiking trails for the following State Parks as well as for other areas of the Florida Keys.

With advance notice, the following Florida Keys State Parks are able to make your visit even more memorable, by providing mobility rentals such as beach wheelchairs at these locations:

Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Highway
Big Pine Key, Florida 33043
305-872-2353

Curry Hammock
56200 Overseas Highway
Marathon, Florida 33050
305-289-2690

Fort Zachary Taylor
601 Howard England Way
Key West, Florida 33040
305-292-6713

John Pennekamp State Park
U.S. 1 Mile Marker 102.5
Key Largo, Florida 33037
305-451-1202

Long Key State Park
67400 Overseas Highway
Long Key, Florida 33001
305-664-4815


Calusa Beach At Bahia Honda State Park

Fun Activities For Adults With Disabilities Include Bahia Honda State Park


For the hearing impaired, many of the Florida State Parks feature video programs. They will also offer an open-captioned version as well as transcribed copies of audio programs. With advance notice, you can even arrange to have sign language interpreters available for the day and time you'll be arriving.

However, if you're planning on including a visit to any of the beautiful Florida Keys State Parks, it's advisable to check out services, rules and regulations and other tidbits that could be important to you.

On this page they provide answers to the most frequently asked questions. These answers should help you address all, if not most of your concerns quickly.

There's also search capability on this page should you need answers to something else, plus they have a Statewide Information Line you can call: 1-850-245-2157


Tourist In A Beach Wheelchair


Beaches Are Fun Activities For Adults With Disabilities
State Archives Of Florida, Florida Memory, Dept. Of Commerce


If you're traveling with your own power wheelchair, you'll need to be aware of certain facts due to the terrain and soil conditions of the Florida Keys State Parks.

. Power wheelchairs shouldn't exceed 550 pounds due to the soft, sandy consistency of Florida soil.

. Since the hiking trails are left as natural as possible, some hiking trails are narrow and not necessarily graded for easy wheelchair access. This means your electric wheelchair shouldn't exceed 34 inches in width or 62 inches in length.

. For safety reasons, the allowable speed limit must be restricted to 5 MPH or less.

. Mobility scooters must also meet certain design features meaning it must be a handicap scooter vs something resembling an ATV or off highway vehicle that has handle bars and is straddled.

You should call the Florida Keys State Parks you'll be visiting in advance to make sure your power wheelchair or mobility scooter is compliant. Also, no gas powered mobility equipment is allowed inside any of the buildings or enclosures.

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Swimming With Dolphins Programs
And Community Pools Information

One of the more popular activities for adults with disabilities are the swimming with dolphins programs. These programs benefit disabled adults, children with disabilities and disabled veterans.

There are a variety of swim with dolphins programs you can choose from. It all depends on how much time (hours or days) and money you have.

However, no matter what the cost, these swimming with dolphins programs have proven to be extremely beneficial, helping people of all ages deal with physical disabilities while providing them with an exhilarating and memorable experience.

Island Dolphin Care
150 Lorelane Place
Key Largo
305-451-5884

Dolphin Research Center
8901 Overseas Highway
Grassy Key
305-289-0002

Whether you go swimming with dolphins or not, water is very therapeutic. Not only does it help you relax, swimming is one of the activities for adults with disabilities that provides low impact and much needed exercise.

If you're on a Key Largo vacation you can visit the following Key Largo Community Park swimming pool:

Jacobs Aquatic Center
320 Laguna Avenue
Key Largo
305-453-7946
Provides a variety of handicap accessible features and services

If you're on a Key West vacation, the City of Key West has the following community pool

MLK Community Pool
300 Catherine Street
Key West
305-292-8248
Features a handicap seat and an elevator lift on the side of the pool





Handicap Accessible Florida Keys
Attractions And Activities
For Adults With Disabilities

There are also a variety of wheelchair sports activities as well as other activities for adults with disabilities you'll want to include on your vacation in the Keys.

These handicap accessible activities include boat tours, museums, area attractions, and eco tours.

For your logistical planning those that aren't wheelchair accessible have been eliminated. I've also broken them down alphabetically by category and then geographically (not alphabetically) by region.

You'll also want to take advantage of savings on the various local activities and attractions that are available to you, especially in Key West. You'll find these attractions detailed further down, below this highlighted box.

However, the highlighted box below will link to a Trusted Tours page where you can save money on all the different fun things you'll want to include.

Not only will you save money, you'll have the convenience of booking in advance, and this also gives you flexibility as to when you go. You're not committed to a specific day or time to redeem your tickets while on your vacation.


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Activities For Adults With Disabilities
Attractions

Key Largo Attractions

African Queen
99701 Overseas Hwy
MM 110, Oceanside
305-451-8080
No ramp to get onboard boat, however crew will assist or lift you onto the boat. Due to the small size of the African Queen only a foldable wheelchair is allowed

Butterfly Gardens near Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
CR 905, MM 106.3
305-451-4223 - offsite office
Wheelchair accessible, FREE

Tavernier Attractions

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center
93600 Overseas Hwy, MM 93.6
305-852-4486
Wheelchair accessible, FREE but donations are gratefully accepted

Big Pine Key Attractions

National Key Deer Refuge
Visitor Center:
179 Key Deer Blvd in Big Pine Key Shopping Plaza
US Hwy 1, MM 30
305-872-2239

Headquarters:
28950 Watson Boulevard
305-872-0774
Follow signs to the Refuge. Much of the area is on paved streets, where you can drive your car and look for tiny key deer. There are also reasonably good wheelchair accessible hiking trails to the Blue Hole and Jack Watson Trail


Bahama Village Kiosks in Key West FL


Activities For Adults With Disabilities Include Exploring Bahama Village


Key West Attractions

Bahama Village
Near the Truman Annex, bordered by Whitehead on the east, Fleming on the north, Fort on the west, and Louisa to the south. No entrance fee

Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
33 E Quay Rd
305-292-0311
Wheelchair accessible, FREE

Key West Aquarium
1 Whitehead Street
888-544-5927
Wheelchair accessible

Key West Cemetery
701 Passover Ln
305-292-8177
Wheelchair accessible, FREE

Key West Seaport & Harborwalk
"U" shaped boardwalk stretches from Grinnell to Front Street
No entry fee

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
5210 College Road
305-296-1504
Wheelchair accessible

Entrance To Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden


Paths At Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens Are Wheelchair Accessible


Key West Wildlife Center & Aviary
1801 White St
305-292-1008
Wheelchair accessible self guided nature walk at rehabilitation center

Mallory Square
400 Wall Street
Gathering point for the nightly Sunset Celebration, great place to watch Key West cruise ships, numerous food and gift kiosks, wheelchair accessible, FREE to visit square

Memorial Sculpture Garden
401 Wall St
Wheelchair accessible but paths can be somewhat narrow in places, FREE

Ripley's Believe It Or Not
108 Duval Street
305-293-9939
Wheelchair accessible

Southernmost Point Buoy Marker
Whitehead Street
Wheelchair accessible via the city sidewalk that leads you there, FREE

White Street Pier
Atlantic Blvd and White Street
Between Higgs Beach and Rest Beach
Wheelchair accessible, FREE



Activities For Adults With Disabilities
Boat Tours

Boat Cruises

Fury Water Adventures
2 Duval St
880-976-0899
Glass bottom boat tour, manual wheelchairs only
Manual wheelchairs allowed on large catamaran cruises only, heads aren't wheelchair accessible

Sunset Watersports
5130 US Hwy 1
855-378-6386
Dinner cruises, sunset cruises and charters are wheelchair accessible on the main deck where food, beverages and heads (restrooms) are located. There are no wheelchair ramps so if you cannot get onboard yourself, the crew with have to life you up or down onto the ship.


Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park

Entrance to Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Park





Activities For Adults With Disabilities
Florida Keys Eco Tours

Key Largo Eco Tours

Botanic Gardens at Kona Kai Resort
Mile Marker 97.8, Bayside
305-852-9766
Wheelchair accessible

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical St Pk
County Road 905, ½ mile N of U.S. 1
305-451-1202
Self guided hiking trails that are wheelchair accessible

Key Largo Princess
Overseas Hwy, Oceanside, MM 100
305-451-4655
Handicap accessible Key Largo glass bottom boat tour of John Pennekamp State Park


Islamorada Eco Tours

Bay and Reef Co.
305-393-0994
305-393-1779
Wheelchair friendly, guests will be assisted on and off boat

Islamorada Boat Tours
877-904-8865 ext 2
84001 Postcard Inn, MM 84
Seasonal wheelchair accessible eco tours to Indian Key and Lignumvitae, and sunset cruises

Keyz Charters
77522 Overseas Hwy
305-393-1394
Everglades National Park Eco Tours, will do their best to accommodate and be wheelchair accessible

Marathon Eco Tours

Coco Plum Beach
109 Coco Plum Dr, MM 54.5 Oceanside
305-743-0240
Self guided sea turtle nest and hatchling observations during April - October. A beach wheelchair or someone to assist pushing you through the sand is advisable

Sombrero Beach
Sombrero Beach Rd, MM 50, Oceanside
305-743-0033
Wheelchair accessible self guided sea turtle nest and hatchling observations during April - October. Beach wheelchair or an assistant is recommended

Turtle Hospital
2396 Overseas Hwy
305-743-6509
90 minute guided educational tour of the sea turtle hospital. Handicap accessible


Key West Eco Tours

Catamaran Echo
611 Grinnell St
305-292-5044
2 hour - full day eco tours. Handicap access is limited, and wheelchairs must be left on the dock

Activities For Adults With Disabilities
Museums

Islamorada Museums
History of Diving Museum
82990 Overseas Hwy, MM 83
305-664-9737
Wheelchair accessible

Marathon Museums

Crane Point Museum And Wild Bird Center
5550 Overseas Hwy
305-743-3900
Wheelchair accessible

Key West Museums

Audubon House Museum & Tropical Gardens
205 Whitehead Street
305-294-2116
Main floor and grounds are wheelchair accessible. Second and third floors are not and there is no video depicting remainder of museum

East Martello Tower and Gardens
3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd
305-296-3913
Wheelchair accessible

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
907 Whitehead Street
305-294-1136
Main floor and grounds are wheelchair accessible

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
1316 Duval Street
305-296-2988
Wheelchair accessible

Key West Shipwreck Museum
1 Whitehead Street
305-292-8990
Main floor wheelchair accessible, there's a lift to second floor and then a video to see the remainder of the Key West museum

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
200 Greene Street
305-294-2633
Lift and an elevator, handicap toilet

Oldest House Key West
322 Duval St
305-294-9501
Main floor and grounds are accessible, FREE

Truman Little White House
111 Front Street
305-294-9911
Grounds and main floor are wheelchair accessible. This Key West museum also provides a film and books showing the upper 2 rooms

USCG Ingham
Truman Waterfront West Edge
305-292-5072
Main deck area is wheelchair accessible only

West Martello Tower, Joe Allen Garden Center
Atlantic Blvd and White St
305-294-3210
Wheelchair accessible





By contacting the various businesses throughout the Florida Keys we've been able to put together this fairly comprehensive list of activities for adults with disabilities. There are likely some that we've missed, but this gives you a solid idea of what to expect when planning your handicap accessible vacation to the Keys.

You'll also want to make sure you're aware of all your handicap transportation options so you don't run into a snag when you're planning on going to one of these Florida Keys attractions.

There are other fun activities for adults with disabilities, and special needs children you'll want to include on your Florida Keys vacation. The different Florida Keys beaches are smaller and narrower than most other Florida beaches so they're easier to get around. The water is also typically shallow near shore, so it's easy for people with limited mobility to enjoy.

You can also check out more information about the above mentioned attractions as well as other Florida Keys and Key West attractions to find out what else may be of interest to you.

If you're on a Key West vacation you'll obviously want to spend time exploring Duval Street which runs the width of Old Town Key West from the Gulf to the Atlantic.

Some of the sights you'll find along Duval Street are galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. There is a sidewalk on both sides of the street so you can maneuver along in a wheelchair without any difficulty.

Most, if not all of the establishments lining this bustling part of Key West, are also wheelchair accessible. This makes it possible for you to take your time and explore the many quaint haunts leading you from the Mallory Square area down to the Southernmost House and the Southernmost Point Buoy marker on the Atlantic.

There are also a variety of annual events that you'll want to know about. No matter what time of year you plan your Florida Keys vacation for, there's fun activities for adults with disabilities. Our Calendar of Events lists the various fun Florida Keys things to do by month.






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Local Weather Zip Codes

Key Largo - 33037
Marathon - 33050
Key West - 33040