Disabled Hikers

05/20/2026

Forever creating bad graphics so you know its not fake 😅

We believe there is no ethical use of generative AI. Generative AI are software like ChatGPT and generative tools within other platforms, like in Adobe and Canva where you describe something and the software creates it.

GenAI were trained on stolen intellectual property such as ebooks, blogs, and published art - including Syren's work.

AI data centers are causing extreme environmental harm, including draining ground water supplies and using massive amounts of energy, straining the systems that keep humans and more than humans alive. Communities are already struggling because of it, and utility prices are skyrocketing in part to pay for the increased usage and infrastructure.

GenAI is entirely unregulated. Some governments and agencies are rushing to catch up and put regulations in place, but its often too little too late. And it is becoming more difficult to tell the difference between what's real and what's AI.

To be clear GenAI is not the same as processing tools. Things like voice to text and grammar correction tools existed long before and were often first created for accessibility.

GenAI is increasingly forced on us, but we encourage everyone to be mindful of its use. Everytime you are tempted by it, just imagine yourself gathering a bucket of water from the river and pouring it down the drain then running every major appliance in your house for an extra hour, and ask yourself if it is worth that.

ID: text reads Generative AI with a red circle and slash over it. Background photo of a river with low water flow surrounded by trees.

05/15/2026

Join Us this Summer! -

"When I'm outdoors, I experience disability in the landscape. I can perceive a diversity of ways for bodies to exist in nature. And I know that disability is entirely natural." Syren Nagakyrie, founder

05/14/2026

People often believe that by adding accessible features, we can "solve the problem" of accessibility and Disabled people. But they forget that ableism is a much larger, social issue that affects us even more everyday. Here's one story from a community member about that.

"I went to the Oregon Coast to enjoy a day off. I was excited to check out the accessible beach mats. But of course, the ableds tried to ruin it.

I was riding my mobility scooter down a beach mat with my service dog on my lap. The mats are bumpy and rough, but we were both enjoying the break.

Well, down the mat comes a group of three adults with four big unleashed dogs. They are taking up the entire mat even though there's plenty of room on the sand and these things are specifically for mobility use.

As I come down they barely move to one side, still taking up over half of the mat and forcing me to the very edge. They make some off hand comment that I don't pay attention to, because I'm too busy watching their dogs who are very focused on me and my dog.

These dogs are as tall as I am sitting in the scooter, and perfectly level to us. I ask them to make room and try to scooter past, but they all move closer, looking at me in my scooter like an oddity. Then the dogs come right in and stick their faces into mine and my dogs, invading our space and nearly forcing me off the mat. I yell very loudly "no!"

At that point the men half heartedly try to distract their dogs and the woman yells at me "good grief! Don't yell at my dogs! What are you even doing here?" I just ignored her and rode quickly down to the end of the mat (which wasn't far).

It was so disappointing to have the one place that was supposed to be accessible and for people like me, taken up by people who did not seem like they needed it. And to have them refuse to give me space and then yell at me for asking for it. It needs to be clearer that these things are for mobility use, though I don't know if people would actually pay attention."

ID: photo of a blue mat running across the sand towards the ocean. Text reads ableism and Microaggressions Outdoors. Why accessibility isn't enough.

05/12/2026

We want to say thank you to two new funding partners!

Disabled Hikers was awarded funding from the East Bay Regional Parks District Community Engagement Grant Pilot Program. This new grant program is supporting community based organizations to do what we already do best - engage with our own communities. DH will host 3 group events, a community engagement session, and create a new trail guide in the East Bay (California).

We are also awarded funding from Washington State through the Jefferson County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee. This funding will support the creation of new guides to at least 5 parks in Jefferson County and provide introductory training on how to do trail assessments for up to 5 disabled community members.

We have a busy 12 months ahead, with even more to come! We remain committed to this work and creating more space for disability communities in the outdoors.

05/09/2026

The Disabled Hikers Spoon Rating System is one of the features of our unique framework for trail assessments and guides. It is designed to be a more specific, objective starting point as you search for trail information. It is not a difficulty rating or even an accessibility rating, but does combine factors of both to help you decide if a trail might be appropriate for you.

The Spoon Rating should always be read in combination with the full trail guide, which provides details on wheelchair accessibility, elevation, amenities, sensory elements, and so much more.

The Spoon Rating is based in an understanding of Spoon Theory as created by Christine Miserandino. The Rating is a 1-5 scale and is not intended to tell you exactly how many spoons a hike will take. It is a more specific, objective, culturally relevant alternative to the meaningless difficulty levels out there such as "easy, moderate, difficult."

The Spoon Rating System was created by our founder, Syren Nagakyrie, and is used in all of our trail guides and published guidebooks. It is not intended for use by the public, but we are working on a training program to teach others how to do assessments and write guides. You can support that work if you find this meaningful.

Image Descriptions to follow below.

05/04/2026

You are not "letting" your disability stop you.
There are so many toxic narratives about overcoming disability and not letting disability stop you, especially in adaptive sports and recreation. We frequently talk to people who feel guilty and ashamed because they aren't able to do the things they want. This is the harm of inspirational narratives about disability.

These narratives also gloss over the structural and systemic harm of ableism, which DOES prevent disabled people from living the lives we want. And our civil rights and protections continue to be challenged.

We have to hold the multiple truths of disability. Disability does prevent people from doing some things, no matter how hard we try. That is valid. Ableism also prevents us from doing things, and that should be unacceptable. Its also true that we all need a little motivation sometimes, but reminders that you are capable should never punch down at people who can't do the same things.

ID: you are not letting your disability stop you. Background photo of the earth from space.

04/27/2026

"When I'm outdoors, I experience disability in the landscape. I can perceive a diversity of ways for bodies to exist in nature. And I know that disability is entirely natural." Syren Nagakyrie, founder

Being outdoors and noticing all of the ways that bodies and beings exist, move, and sense in their environments, and how unique of a role each has to play in the ecosystem has been such a powerful lesson. Not only around accepting and embracing disability but also a never ending lesson on connection, relationship, and interdependence.

In that sense of connection and interdependence, we invite you to join our Disability is Natural Challenge. Your support is so needed in these times. If you've learned from or appreciated our work, please consider making a gift.

ID: graphic with the above quote on the left. On the right, Syren, a white nonbinary person wearing a Disanled Hikers shirt, leans against a tree and looks up.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Today can be filled with ableist comments, campaigns that leave out Disabled people, and climate "solutions" that would prefer we don't exist.

Disabled people are a frontline community in the effects of climate change. Our use of plastics, inhalers, electricity, paved paths, and whatever else people like to blame are not issue. The issue is 500+ years of settler colonialism and capitalism.

It is true that we all have an impact on the environment - and that having an "impact" is not necessarily a bad thing. The problem is that some impacts are normalized and socially acceptable, while others aren't, and those that aren't are made to be scapegoats.

But Disabled people are a part nature too. We are not your scapegoats, or your convenient inspiration to pat yourself on the back about, nor are we disposable. It is past time for the outdoor, environmental, and conservation movements to listen to us. Disabled folks not only bear the effects of climate change, but have a lot to offer as we adapt to a increasingly disabled environments.

ID: Text reads Disabled people belong in environmentalism. Background photo of a redwood tree next to a lake with hills in the background.

04/20/2026

Spring has sprung! If you're planning some new accessible adventures, don't forget about our books and trail guides!

You can get The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon, and The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California, from our website or anywhere else you like to get books, including your local library!

The WA and OR book includes places west of the Cascades in both states. The guides are 4-5 years old so some conditions have changed but its still a great planning resource. The NorCal book covers from Monterey Bay north to state line. Both books feature wheelchair accessible, wheelchair hikeable, and foot trails as well as scenic drives and viewpoints so you can select what is best for you! Both books were written by Syren, who personally hiked and assessed every trail.

You belong outdoors and we hope these guides help you get out there!

04/17/2026

Although it is important to address physical barriers and lack of access, the outdoors won't trulybe a safe and inclusive space if we do not also address ableism and long-held assumptions about disability. We could build accessible trails in every
park- but we must also move away from the idea that the most valid way of being outdoors is the
individual "conquering" nature, and instead move into respecting the variety of ways that people
engage with nature and recognize that this provides an opportunity to reflect on interdependence and
the relationship between our bodies, the environment, and each other."

From "Conservation, Eco-Ableism, and Reclaiming
Limitation" by Syren Nagakyrie, Founder of
Disabled Hikers

ID: above quote across three slides, each with a background photo of mountains in shadow, backlit by the sun

04/14/2026

The current dictatorship-in-waiting (its not an administration) proposed repealing the Roadless Rule last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the upcoming release of the draft environmental impact statement. Once the impact statement is released, there will be another public comment period.

The Roadless Rule is a federal regulation that protects over 45 million acres of National Forest lands, primarily in the west, from road construction and resource extraction. It is conserves habitat, provides recreation, protects climate change mitigation, reduces fire risks, and respects Indigenous land rights.

Unfortunately, there are some politicians who use disability as a scapegoat to push their anti-public (stolen) lands agenda. And that has filtered through into some public discourse.

Rescinding the roadless rule will not make wilderness more accessible to all and definitely will not improve disability access to forest lands. In fact, it will likely further limit access. If roads are built, they will be used for logging and resource extraction. These roads are not suitable for mobility aid use or for standard vehicles.

Even if publicly accessible roads are built, that does not mean these areas will become more accessible. The administration is certainly not funding accessibility improvements, and much of roadless areas are extremely rugged terrain.

Roads can also increase fire activity, a climate issue that significantly impacts disabled people. Studies show that roads do not improve forest health through increased fire management, and there are already exceptions for emergency road access for fire response.

Stay tuned for the public comment period to make your opinion known!

ID: rescinding the roadless rule will not make wilderness more accessible. Background photo of a narrow muddy trail through a temperate rainforest with big trees. A log bench is on the lower left.