A Theme Park for Kids with Disabilities (And Everyone)
Jan 21, 2025
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Gordon Hartman, a former home builder and the visionary behind Morgan's Wonderland, shares his inspiring journey of creating an ultra-accessible amusement park tailored for kids with disabilities. He highlights how every ride is designed for inclusivity, ensuring no one is left out. The conversation dives into innovative strategies like wheelchair-friendly attractions and community engagement that foster a welcoming environment. Hartman emphasizes the importance of philanthropy and local support in promoting inclusive spaces, making joy accessible for all families.
Morgan's Wonderland offers universally accessible rides and activities, catering to children with various disabilities to foster inclusion and belonging.
The park employs individuals with special needs as staff, demonstrating their capabilities and providing vital work experience in an inclusive environment.
Morgan's MAC serves as a resource hub for those with special needs, offering essential services like medical care and therapy for improved quality of life.
Deep dives
The Foundation of Morgan's Wonderland
Morgan's Wonderland was created by Gordon Hartman as a universally accessible amusement park inspired by his daughter, Morgan, who has special needs. After witnessing Morgan's struggle to interact with other children while on a family vacation, Hartman envisioned a space where individuals with and without disabilities could play together. Opened in 2010, the park is designed to be inclusive, allowing children with various disabilities, including mobility challenges and sensory sensitivities, to enjoy the same rides and activities as their able-bodied peers. This groundbreaking approach fosters a sense of belonging and community among all visitors, demonstrating the park's commitment to inclusivity.
Innovative Accessibility Features
Morgan's Wonderland implements a range of innovative accessibility features that allow individuals with disabilities to fully participate in its offerings. For example, the park has adapted rides like a zip line and carousel to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Furthermore, special attention is paid to sensory experiences, ensuring that rides and environments are tailored to the needs of guests with visual or auditory impairments. The commitment to inclusivity is emphasized by the design of the park, which integrates various accommodations to allow every visitor to have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
A Commitment to Education and Employment
Hartman emphasizes the importance of education and employment for individuals with special needs within the Morgan's Wonderland community. Over a third of the park's staff has special needs, providing them with valuable work experience and showing visitors the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. This reflects Hartman's belief that inclusion starts with visibility and opportunities for engagement. By employing individuals with special needs, the park not only supports their personal growth but also fosters a culture of understanding and acceptance among all visitors.
Expanding the Morgan's Mission
The Morgan's mission is not limited to the amusement park; it continues to expand through various initiatives and sister facilities. Morgan's Inspiration Island, a water park that opened in 2017, features wheelchair-accessible amenities and is designed for individuals with mobility challenges. Other ventures include Morgan's Sports and Morgan's Camp, designed to provide sports and recreational opportunities for people of all abilities, ensuring that fun and inclusive experiences are readily available for many. Each of these projects reflects Hartman’s dedication to creating an inclusive world where everyone has a place.
Navigating Special Needs Care
Morgan's MAC, the multi-assistance center, provides essential resources for individuals with special needs, offering services such as medical care, therapy, and life coaching. This facility aims to bridge gaps in care for those who may struggle to navigate the complexities of their needs independently. The MAC not only targets immediate needs, such as dental care and surgeries, but also focuses on long-term health management through consistent monitoring and support. By providing a customized navigation experience, the MAC ensures individuals and families do not feel overwhelmed while seeking necessary assistance, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Empowering Community Through Outreach
Morgan's Wonderland actively seeks to empower communities through outreach and education on inclusivity for individuals with special needs. Hartman encourages visitors and those inspired by the park's mission to think creatively about how to promote inclusion in their own communities. The Morgan Inclusion Institute aims to share best practices and lessons learned from the park's experiences with other organizations looking to become more inclusive. By fostering collaboration and learning, the initiative hopes to inspire similar projects globally, benefiting even more individuals with special needs and their families.
Morgan's Wonderland is an ultra-accessible amusement park in which all of the rides have been engineered so that no one is excluded, no one is ever sitting on the sidelines. If your child has special needs, is in a wheel chair, is Autistic, has hearing or vision loss, or some other issue--take them to Morgan's Wonderland. Gordon Hartman is Morgan's dad and the founder of Morgan's Wonderland. He joins to discuss.
LINKS:
Morgan's Wonderland: https://morgans.org/
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