Fun and Accessible Experiences for All Abilities

Central Massachusetts offers a range of inclusive and accessible activities where everyone can enjoy adventure, nature, art, and entertainment. These spaces provide adaptive programs, sensory-friendly options, and supportive amenities to ensure fun and engagement for all abilities.
 

Active and Adaptive

 

Broad Meadow Brook

With beautiful hiking trails, Broad Meadow Brook creates an inclusive experience that allows anyone to enjoy nature. Adaptive items, from all-terrain wheelchairs to binoculars, are available to loan as well as family-friendly educational and activity materials. In addition, Broad Meadow Brook has a Sensory Trail with smoother surfaces, rope guides and audio tours. Restrooms and a Nature center are also available creating a personal and welcoming environment. 

Check out their website for more information.

 

Central Rock Gym

Central Rock Gym is a unique and fun experience that is perfect for physical and hands on activity. Open to any skill set, you can spend the day climbing and challenging yourself to new limits. Central Rock Gym has an adaptive climbing program on select days. Here, experienced climbers will assist with climbing, cheer you on, and teach new skills! 

Check out their website for more information at.

 

Quinsigamond State Park

Hosted by the Universal Access Program, adaptive kayaking is available on select days at Regatta Point, right on Lake Quinsigamond. With equipment provided, instructors will take small groups on a tour around the lake. This program encourages those with disabilities and their friends, family, and support staff to attend!

Check out their website for more information. 

Unwind and Explore
 

Worcester Art Museum

The Worcester Art Museum, being a must-see in Central Mass, has four floors full of unique artwork. Wheelchairs as well as sitting walkers are available free of charge and service dogs are always welcomed. To ensure a personal and safe experience, personal care attendants are admitted free of charge.

Check out their website for more information. 

 

New England Botanic Garden

The New England Botanic Garden is a unique nature-observing experience full of hiking trails, flower gardens, produce, and ponds. With events year-round, there are always new things to see. To increase accessibility, newly paved walking paths have been added, as well as sensory-friendly hours. Service animals are always welcome, and personal care attendants get free entry into the garden. Through the Reserve a Ride Pilot Program, you and up to five guests can reserve a shuttle with a garden attendant.

Check out their website for more information. 

 

The EcoTarium

The EcoTarium is a fun and interactive learning experience that dives into the mystery of science and nature. They have partnered with the Autism Alliance of Metrowest to assist in providing accommodations. Sensory kits are always available at the Information Desk ensuring that every visitor is able to enjoy their time there. 

Check out their website for more information.

 

The Hanover Theatre 

The Hanover Theatre hosts a wide variety of shows, from Broadway to magic. To ensure that everyone can enjoy the fun, ASL interpretation, assisted listening devices, and audio described performances are offered at a select number of performances. In addition, sensory-friendly performances are offered on select dates with adjusted sound, lighting, and seating for a more comfortable experience.

Check out their website for more information. 
 

Worcester Public Library

The Worcester Public Library offers a wide variety of local events, readings, and an overall great facility for research and leisure. Through their Talking Book Library program, large type books, braille collections, and audio recorded books are available. 

Check out their website for more information.

 

Museum of Worcester

The Museum of Worcester celebrates it’s 150th anniversary by providing an Access for All tour, located in their Fuller Gallery of Industrial History. Collaborating with Bay State Council of the Blind, they created an amazing and interactive tour combining artifact interactions with descriptive learning. These tours will be offered once a month with registration. 

Check out their website for more information.