Outdoor hospitality giant Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has recently announced a significant partnership with GRIT Freedom Chair to enhance accessibility in outdoor adventures by introducing GRIT’s all-terrain wheelchairs at selected KOA locations, including their headquarters in Billings, Montana.
This initiative is a response to the findings of KOA’s Outdoor Accessibility Report, which highlighted that 38% of campers today have a physical disability, underscoring the urgent need for improved accessibility in outdoor settings.
The GRIT Freedom Chair, a product designed by engineers from MIT, will bridge the gap between a traditional wheelchair and a mountain bike. This design enables users to traverse unpaved paths, including trails, boardwalks, and sandy beaches, thus opening up new avenues for outdoor exploration for individuals with mobility challenges.
“The GRIT Freedom Chair surpassed my expectations in durability and versatility. I was able to effortlessly navigate terrains that often challenge conventional, light-duty motorized wheelchairs,” Randy Howell, KOA’s assistant vice president of Risk Management, said, as quoted in a press release. Howell personally experienced the chair’s capabilities by using the Freedom Chair on paved, gravel, and dirt trails.
The partnership between KOA and GRIT last summer was a mutual recognition of the outdoors as a space for everyone. The Freedom Chair was tested at the Terramor Outdoor Resort in Bar Harbor, Maine.
“The chair enhanced my outdoor experience while allowing me to maintain an active lifestyle despite my mobility challenges,” Howell added.
For the 2024 season, KOA plans to conduct a beta test of the Freedom Chair at the Terramor property. The chair will be included in the resort’s complimentary gear lending program.
“Our partnership with GRIT Freedom Chair is a crucial step forward in our mission to ensure the outdoors is accessible to all,” Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA said.