State Senator Cathy Osten today voted for a bill which would put 10 all-terrain wheelchairs in five state parks beginning in April 2024 for disabled visitors to use.
Senate Bill 301, “AN ACT REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF ALL-TERRAIN WHEELCHAIRS AT STATE PARKS,” passed the Senate on a nearly unanimous 35-1 vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Under the bill, an “all-terrain wheelchair” is a battery-powered wheelchair with treads that can travel over trails, sand, gravel, and similar rugged terrain or ground cover.
“I first ran across the use of all-terrain wheelchairs at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home – they had a number of these vehicles in use for veterans who had lost limbs,” said Sen. Osten, who is a Vietnam-era Army veteran. “Now, whether you were born with a disability, were injured in an accident, or are a disabled veteran, this program will help bring people who once enjoyed the outdoors back outside. And we have beautiful state parks for everyone to enjoy.”