“Everyone should have the chance to play” is the idea behind All Terrain (地形) Georgia, a program that offers free all-terrain wheelchairs at Georgia’s parks to those with physical disabilities. Being in the woods, fishing, or having a picnic at one of Georgia’s state parks can help those people feel normal again. This is a cooperation program between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Aimee Copeland Foundation.
All-terrain wheelchairs look like an advanced version of everyday wheelchairs.They have a tank-like appearance, and their wheels are bigger. And bigger engines make them have more power to cross terrain quickly. Most importantly, these chairs are specially designed to make them reliably cross terrain that’s rough, wet, sandy or snowy. Therefore, they can give people who might not be able to cross more difficult types of terrain the ability to start a trip.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11.1% of U.S. adults have serious difficulty walking or climbing steps. And yet, the most wheelchair-friendly national park in the country, South Dakota’s Badlands National Park, has only 3 roads out of 17 suitable for wheelchairs. Besides, traditional wheelchairs can be risky, uncomfortable, and difficult to use in the park, not to mention the fact that the price of some all-terrain wheelchairs can be between $13,000 and nearly $30,000.
Now, as long as you complete a form and meet the requirements, you can book an all-terrain wheelchair and use it for free at one of the cooperative state parks in Georgia. Do remember you need to have an adult around you during the trip. The adult must undergo a training program, carry a fully charged phone and be physically capable of seeking help, if necessary, by returning quickly to the place where the chair was checked out.
Last year, a number of all-terrain wheelchairs were put into service at 11 state parks and historic sites through All Terrain Georgia. Looking ahead, Melanie Dunn, the assistant director of the Aimee Copeland Foundation, said, “The foundation will soon have the ability to move the chairs to many other parks. Everyone deserves the chance to get close to nature and we can help them do it.”
12. What may users value most about all-terrain wheelchairs?
A.Their ability to run on challenging terrain safely. |
B.The convenience of avoiding heavy traffic. |
C.The creative idea behind them. |
D.Their cool appearance. |
13. Why is South Dakota’s Badlands National Park mentioned?
A.To praise the park’s user-friendly design. |
B.To recommend the national park to the public. |
C.To show the shortage of wheelchair-friendly public services |
D.To call on the government to build more special roads. |
14. What do the instructions on the program in Paragraph 4 suggest?
A.It allows free visits to most national parks. |
B.It is aimed at a risk-free user experience. |
C.It sets difficult training tasks for users. |
D.It works better for adult users. |
15. What is Dunn’s attitude towards the future of all-terrain wheelchairs?
A.Doubtful. | B.Worried. | C.Curious | D.Positive. |