This is an evolving (and not exhaustive) list of resources that I've found along the way. I'm interested in hearing about your experiences utilizing any of these resources, and let me know of any other resources that can be added to this list. Thanks!
EXAMPLES OF ACCESSIBLE GARDENS AND OTHER RECREATION SPACES, BIG & SMALL
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Exploring plants within reach at the Accessible Garden, Brookfield Farm |
The Accessible Garden at Brookfield Farm, Amherst Massachusetts
Perkins School for the Blind, Pappas Horticultural Center, Watertown, Massachusetts
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Guests explore a tactile map of the Buehler Enabling Garden |
Chicago Botanic Garden, Buehler Enabling Garden, Glencoe, Illinois
Universally Accessible Treehouses: Not technically an accessible garden, an accessible treehouse is nevertheless an amazing thing. Someone had the wondrous idea to create a treehouse that would be accessible to people of all ages and abilities! It is our dream to help build one in the Pioneer Valley in memory of our daughter, Patricia -- she loved visiting the accessible treehouse in Burlington, Vermont.
Grommet Island Beach Park & Playground for EveryBODY is a 100% handicap accessible beachfront park in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University
IDEA Center, University at Buffalo
RAISED BEDS AND TRAY/TABLE GARDENING PRODUCTS
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The Farmstead's raised garden bed kits being assembled, at the Accessible Garden, Brookfield Farm |
The Farmstead ---- a family-owned local company that makes beautiful, simple, natural cedar, raised garden bed kits that are easy-to-assemble. No carpentry or building skills necessary! Order online or call 1-888-488-2880; Tony and Hope Davis, Broad Hill Road, Leverett, MA 01054
Adjustable height, wheelchair accessible Platform/Tray raised garden: CelluGro™ Wheelchair Accessible Green Thumb Therapy Garden
Raised table/tray-style garden beds from Accessiblegardens.com
The AbleGardener Gardening Table is a wheelchair accessible gardening table.
The AbleGardener Gardening Table is a wheelchair accessible gardening table.
ACCESSIBLE GARDENING TOOLS AND OTHER USEFUL PRODUCTS
Radius Ergonomic Trowel, Pro-Lite Shovel and a great selection of other ergonomic garden tools at Radius Garden.
Find Peta Easi-Grip Garden Cultivator and other ergonomically designed garden tools, including long-handled gardening tools at www.arthritissupplies.com
Telescopic handle weeder from Hand Helpers
A pivoting watering wand – extends the reach and increases ease of use of a hose, has pivoting head to more easily reach and water hanging plants.
Find Peta Easi-Grip Garden Cultivator and other ergonomically designed garden tools, including long-handled gardening tools at www.arthritissupplies.com
Telescopic handle weeder from Hand Helpers
A pivoting watering wand – extends the reach and increases ease of use of a hose, has pivoting head to more easily reach and water hanging plants.
Super Slim Lightweight Garden Hose | from Gardener's Supply – a lighter-weight hose allows people with a range of upper body strength to more easily water the garden
Colorful Tubrugs for the Garden | from Gardener's Supply – consider a bright red or yellow tub for multiple uses in the garden for people with visual impairments; they are also lightweight and easy to handle in the garden for people with limited physical strength.
Atlas Nitrile Garden Gloves-- Lightweight and Durable garden gloves that do not inhibit dexterity, from Olive Barn.
BOOKS
Adil, Jannine R. Accessible Gardening for People with Physical Disabilities: A guide to Methods, Tools, and Plants. Woodbine House, 1994. Print.
Woy, Joann. Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques for Seniors & the Disabled. Stackpole Books. Print.
Rothert, Gene. The Enabling Garden: Creating Barrier-Free Gardens. SouthPark Publishing Group. Print. To order, telephone: (214) 296-5657
Yeomans, Kathleen. The Able Gardener: Overcoming Barriers of Age & Physical Limitations. SouthPark Publishing Group. Print. To order, telephone: (214) 296-5657.
ARTICLES ON ENABLED AND ACCESSIBLE GARDENS
Accessible Gardening for Therapeutic Horticulture, by Jean Larson, Horticultural Therapist; Anne Hancheck, former Minnesota Extension Horticulturalist; Paula Vollmar, Horticultural Therapy Intern, University of Minnesota. University of Minnesota, Extension
Seeing with Other Senses: Garden for the Blind, by JoAnn Gardner, The Herb Companion, February 3, 2007. Perkins School for the Blind website.
Seeing with Other Senses: Garden for the Blind, by JoAnn Gardner, The Herb Companion, February 3, 2007. Perkins School for the Blind website.
Accessible Gardening for the Physically Challenged, By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont Extension
Create an Enabled Garden by Joyce Schillen
Organic Therapy: Sensory Gardens Give People a Place to Heal, by Sarah Zobel, Spirituality and Health, July-August 2010. Utne.com
ORGANIZATIONS
Organic Therapy: Sensory Gardens Give People a Place to Heal, by Sarah Zobel, Spirituality and Health, July-August 2010. Utne.com
ORGANIZATIONS
The American Horticultural Therapy Association provides a monthly newsletter, a journal and a network of regional chapters, (800) 634-1603
Updated: January 18, 2012. Theresa Vincent
