Accessible Outdoor Programs & Resources

Hello, I am Kathy Balman the founder and director of ECO and lover of the outdoors. I have struggled with medical issues on and off since I was 10 yrs old, but it wasn't until 2016 that I received my official diagnoses. I have several medical conditions including Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Posterior Orthostatic  Tachycardia Syndrome, Adrenal Insufficiency, anxiety, OCD and dyslexia. Most days my medical challenges are invisible, however I have had 16 surgeries and struggle with chronic pain daily. We actually moved from GA to AZ in 2018 so that I would have access to better medical care and because the climate in AZ is more conducive to my medical conditions. Some days I am a wheelchair user or need the assistance of a cane and several joint braces to enjoy the outdoors. And there are other days where I don't need the assistance of any mobility aids. In addition to my own experiences with accessibility challenges I have also worked with children that have autism, dwarfism, down syndrome, dyslexia, dyscalculia, food allergies, Asperger's, ADD, anxiety and more.  

Stay tuned for monthly accessible nature and bird outings for all ages. 

 Birdability focuses on removing barriers to access for birders with  mobility challenges, blindness or low vision, intellectual or  developmental disabilities (including autism), mental illness, being  deaf or hard of hearing, chronic illnesses and other health concerns.   

Accessible Outdoors is  currently working to build a website that offers extensive information related to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities for those with accessibility challenges.