Hitting the trail with Disabled Hikers founder Syren Nagakyrie

Kate and Aaron talk to Syren Nagakyrie, founder and director of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit group seeking to make the outdoors more accessible for people with disabilities. Nagakyrie has been outspoken about the tokenization of disabled hikers by U.S. Senator Mike Lee, who recently filed a bill called the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act that encourages road building on public lands. Nagakyrie called the bill “a blatant attempt to scapegoat disability as an excuse to build more roads.” According to Nagakyrie, what disabled people really need to access the outdoors is good information and well-maintained trails. 

News

• Senators release statement on protections for Dolores River – San Miguel Basin Forum
• Plans to build more roads on public lands will help disabled Americans, Mike Lee says. Disabled hikers disagree – Salt Lake Tribune
• 50-year fight in Crested Butte ends as land swap forever blocks mining on Red Lady – Colorado Sun

Resources

• Disabled Hikers Trail Guides – Disabled Hikers
• Spoon Trail Rating System – Disabled Hikers

Credits

Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss 

Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org

Music: Purple Planet

Featured image: Disabled Hikers founder Syren Nagakyrie; Credit: Eddie Bauer/Elise Giordano

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