First Water Park For Kids With Disabilities Opens It’s Doors

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For some families, stopping by a water park just isn’t a care-free option to enjoy the warm Summer days.

For adults or kids with disabilities, these places usually aren’t entirely accessible which leaves them with limited or no options at all.

That’s about to change!

Morgan’s Inspiration Island is a new water park which is impressing everyone!

The tropical-themed facility, which opened on June 17 in San Antonio, TX, is fully wheelchair accessible. It was designed with a large range of disabilities in mind to be entirely inclusive for all guests who visit.

The six main attractions at the park include an accessible river boat ride, a variety of themed splash pads, as well as a giant water tree house. The waterpark is also free for anyone with disabilities! How amazing is that?

They also created waterproof wheelchairs that are propelled with compressed air (available to rent and also free of charge!) to protect any personal equipment.

“Our goal is to provide a great guest experience in an inclusive, safe, comfortable, not-overly-crowded environment,” Gordon Hartman, the park’s founder, said in a news release. “Our guests in expensive battery-powered wheelchairs can’t afford to get them wet, so we have special Morgan’s Inspiration Island PneuChairs along with two other waterproof wheelchair models: a push-stroller type for guests needing assistance from a caregiver for mobility and a rigid-frame, manual wheelchair for guests who can push themselves.” 

Over the last 3 years, the water park’s team has collaborated with consultants, doctors, special-needs therapists, special-education teachers, parents, as well as caregivers – to help families enjoy experiences that previously weren’t possible.

Waterproof wristbands with RFID technology are used so parents can easily locate their kids if they get separated, as well as an area that lets guests warm water for anyone with sensitivity to the cold.

Gordon, who has a 23-year-old daughter who inspired the park, hopes that the community will view it as a “park of inclusion” rather than labeling it is a “special needs” destination. “Morgan’s Inspiration Island will concentrate on inclusion and inspire guests to do things previously thought not to be in their range of capabilities,” he said. “Those without disabilities and those with, including individuals in wheelchairs, guests with hearing and visual impairments, and even guests on ventilators, will be able to play alongside each other and gain a greater appreciation of one another.”