Accessible Black Hills

Let’s talk a little about outdated language when it comes to referring to people with disabilities.

First of all, the word disability is not a bad word! However, there are some outdated ways to talk about our friends with disabilities.

One phrase that is often demeaning and elicits a pity response (Which is honestly so uncomfortable for ANYONE, am I right?) is the phrase, “Wheelchair bound.”

Individuals utilizing wheelchairs are not bound, they are free! Their chairs allow them to go into the world and enjoy the freedom of mobility.

So what are some better options? 👩‍🦽

- “They use a wheelchair”

- “They are a wheelchair user”

- “Their wheelchair helps them be more independent”

You might have noticed each of those options places the person first in the sentence before the wheelchair. Person-first language is the easiest way to speak kindly, and respectfully, even in those moments you find yourself not sure exactly what to say. Just remember, whoever you are talking to, they are a person first!

A world with more equity begins with how we speak about those around us. Let’s work on our accessibility language together!

Are you looking to add a local brewery to your Black Hills itinerary?

There are many great breweries in the Black Hills, including Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company in Custer! We checked it out and were happy to find:

- Nearby accessible parking (Note: it is on gravel)
- Low tables available
- Accessible restrooms
- Ramp access to the building

Stop by and grab a brew and some delicious food the next time you’re in the Hills! Located at 140 Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD.

Calling all sweet tooths! 🍭 🎃

Located just outside of Rapid City on Highway 16, is the Rushmore Candy Company. And let us just say…YUM! Along with so many unique and delicious candy options, we also loved:

- Open and easy-to-navigate floorplan

- Access to all floors

- Accessible parking

The staff is also inviting and ready to assist you with anything out of reach. Add this sweet accessible spot to your itinerary for your next visit to the Black Hills!

Located at 9815 US-16, just outside of Rapid City.

Ice cream season may end with summer, but ice cream while wearing a sweater season begins with Fall! 🍦🍁

We recently stopped by Horatio’s Homemade Ice Cream in Custer, South Dakota, and at first glance, it does not look accessible, with stairs leading up to the front entrance…

But we were happy to find out they have an accessible ramp at the back of the building! Horatio’s also features accessible restrooms large enough for power scooters to enter.

A great find in an old historic building! Stop by the next time you are in the southern hills. Located at 548 Mt Rushmore Rd, in Custer.

At Accessible Black Hills, we implement Universal Design Principles when assessing locations for accessibility.

Universal design is a philosophy that aims to make products and environments usable by as many people as possible without requiring specialized design or adaptation.

We want to share a little about one of our favorite accessibility features–door push buttons! Door push buttons truly help everyone.

From Wheelchair users to people pushing a stroller or carrying a heavy item, door push buttons offer safe and accessible entry into a building for all.

We look forward to a day when all public spaces have push buttons at their entrances!

Though they are now closed for the season, you won’t want to miss adding Storybook Island to your itinerary next summer!

Located on the west side of Rapid City, Storybook Island is a historic children’s park featuring the magic of storybooks coming to life. Storybook also features some fantastic accessibility features! You will have the opportunity to enjoy:

- Accessible playground equipment for a wide array of disabilities

- Accessible restrooms

- wide paths and overall flat areas to explore

- Accessible parking

This park is a magical must for families during the summertime. Located at 1301 Sheridan Lake Rd in Rapid City.

If you’re craving authentic Mexican flavors, Ma Cualli is the place to be! 🌮 We stopped by the other day, and it was DELICIOUS.

Accessibility Features Include:
- Van-accessible parking nearby
- No stair entry/access to all levels
- Open floor plan

Our one note before you visit is that currently, all the tables are a similar height, which is a bit higher than a standard table height and may be difficult for manual wheelchair users.

📍 Located at 4831 5th St SUITE 101, Rapid City, Ma Cualli is a must-visit for food lovers.

✨ Have you seen us in the latest 605 Magazine? ✨

Shoutout to our friend Vanessa, who spotted our feature and snagged this pic of the article! We’re beyond excited to be highlighted in such an awesome publication.

Thank you to 605 Magazine for the wonderful article and for spreading the word about our mission! 🙌

Read the story on their website > 605magazine.com

If you haven’t visited The SOUR: A Bakery in Rapid City yet, you’re missing out on some seriously delicious treats! 😋 This newly relocated bakery is all about bringing the taste of fresh, handcrafted sourdough to the heart of the Black Hills.

Accessibility Features Include:
- Wide open floorplan
- No stair entryway
- Family-style restroom with bars

Stop by and show some love to our local bakers! And if you’re already a fan, let us know your favorite thing to grab at The Sour in the comments! 🥯💛

2024 Disability Resource Fair (formerly "ADA Picnic") today at Main Street Square! Stop by, say hello and see all the other amazing disability focused resources here in the Black Hills. 🫶

From 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Free food too!

Last week was our mini-family reunion in the Black Hills.

There were so many places Trevor and I were able to show off to our family, from a gator show at Reptile Gardens to "Disney's The Little Mermaid" at the Black Hills Playhouse.

The start of the week was filled with hugs and tender moments with my five-year-old niece, followed by one very special memory on the last day of the reunion at Storybook Island.

We went through the park, admiring all the changes and accessibility features that had been added so that children could enjoy this magical place.

What I wasn’t expecting was the magic that I—a 32-year-old auntie—was about to feel when discovering the new accessible train cart.

Instead of smiling and waving as everyone went around the park. I was able to ride along with my niece.

It’s not common for these features to exist. To go beyond the accessibility of getting inside the location and being able to use a restroom but to truly EXPERIENCE a location's offerings.

To create lasting memories, for when your five-year-old niece asks, “Can I ride with Auntie Kelsey?” you can say yes.

Thank you, Storybook Island, for making these updates. 🧡 🚂

—Kelsey

Happy Disability Pride Month! 🎊

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the contributions, achievements, and richness of the disability community. It's a moment to embrace our identities, advocate for our rights, and highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of life.

Disability Pride is about recognizing and valuing our unique experiences and perspectives. It's a reminder that our disabilities are an integral part of who we are, and we deserve to be proud of our identities.

The Disability Pride Flag is a powerful symbol of our community's strength and diversity. Here's what each color represents:

❤️ Red: Physical disabilities.
💛 Gold: Neurodiversity.
🤍 White: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.
💙 Blue: Emotional and psychiatric disabilities.
💚 Green: Sensory disabilities, including the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind communities.

The charcoal gray background commemorates and mourns disabled people who have died due to ableism, violence, and negligence.

Let's raise our voices and our flags high this month and every month. Celebrate with us, share your stories, and join the movement for a more inclusive world!

This place ROCKS (we had to.)

If you're in Custer, SD, the Rock Shop is a must-visit destination! 🪨✨
Shelves and shelves of a variety of rocks, fossils, jewelry, and more.

We love about this location the:

- No stairs at the entrance
- Wise aisles that allow for comfortable browsing
- Selection of products on both low/high shelves

📍 Located right in downtown Custer.

The Bashful Bison South Dakota Market has found a new home at Hay Camp Brewing Company, and we couldn't be more thrilled! 🍻🥪

Their mouthwatering, homemade sandwiches are now available in a fresh and vibrant space. Yes, even the mustard is made from scratch – it’s that amazing!

Here’s what their new spot offers:
- Nearby Accessible Parking
- Pushbutton Door Access with a Ramp (via the Hay Camp entrance)
- Spacious Open Floor Plan (with plenty of tables)

Stop by and indulge in their delicious creations at 601 Kansas City St, downtown Rapid City. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you! 😋

We are thrilled to be one of the top 3 Finalists for the 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Award by Elevate Rapid City! The qualifications for this award are "organizations demonstrate the intentional creation of policies and procedures that embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace."

Congratulations to the fellow finalists Monument Health and Working Against Violence, Inc. (WAVI) . for championing DEI. 👏

If you have ever found yourself in a situation where you’re unsure of how to interact with a person with a disability, remember this–human first!

People with disabilities are, first and foremost, people just like you. They have hobbies, dreams, frustrations, and goals. So here are some disability etiquette do’s and don’ts:

✅ Do: Ask questions! Ask them questions about themselves that you would expect someone to ask you. Get to know them as a person. When it comes to asking questions about someone’s disability, remember the context. Is this information necessary to ask for the benefit or safety of them? Will this invade their privacy? Are they open to sharing this information? Before you ask the question, ask if it is okay to ask a question.

✅ Do: Communicate with a disabled person just like you would communicate with anyone else. Talk directly to them, and engage with them. It is common for people to encounter a pair of people, and talk to the person accompanying someone with a disability as if the person with the disability is not there or unable to communicate.

🚫 Don’t: Offer assistance before asking someone if they need it. It is instinctual for people to help others, and that is a beautiful thing–but if you enter someone’s personal space without asking if they need that assistance to begin with, it can feel unsettling for the person with a disability.

🚫 Don’t: Make assumptions. Just because someone does not have a visible disability, does not mean that they don’t have one. Many disabilities are invisible. On the flip side, don’t make assumptions based on what you see in front of you when viewing someone with a visible disability. You don’t that person's needs, strengths, or preferences.

If you would like to learn more about how you can be an ally to the disability community, we highly recommend the book “Demystifying Disability” by Emily Ladau.

What are some “Musts” to make your travel plans a success? Here are some of our Founder, Kelsey’s!

- Call ahead to have the hotel remove the box spring on the bed – for Kelsey, at a lower height she can transfer independently

- All the hand sanitizer – many bathrooms have soap dispensers out of reach – hand sanitizer is a must!

- Schedule a massage pre-trip – if long car rides, flights or other things are hard on your body, a pre-massage can do wonders

Drop your travel tips in the comments below! 🗺