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Rated 3/3
Specialized Services unit provides technical support and professional development to school staff who serve students with disabilities. They promote inclusion and believe that all children and youth with disabilities can be educated in the general education environment alongside nondisabled peers. All students with and without disabilities can engage in learning and benefit from meaningful instruction, have friends and be full members of their school communities.
The website provides an abundance of information ranging from behavioral services, family services, legal services and academic services. Once must meet the qualification criteria and the enrollment deadlines.

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Dear SBCUSD Special Education Community,

As we are adapting to the new challenges brought forth by COVID-19, we wanted to reassure our community and all of our stakeholders that SBCUSD is committed to supporting student with disabilities during this difficult time.

The Special Education Department has collaborated with Educational Services to ensure that all of our students have equal access to distance learning. Special Education family partners, you will be receiving a prior written notice that will outline the details of your specialized services along with resource page. Your teachers and service providers will be reaching out soon to speak with you about your specific services.

During this trying time, we ask that you stay healthy and safe. If you have, any questions or concerns please call 909-880-6800.

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Dear SBCUSD Special Education Community, As we are adapting to the new challenges brought forth by COVID-19, we wanted to reassure our community and all of our stakeholders that SBCUSD is committed to supporting student with disabilities during this difficult time.

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https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources/Special-Education-Toolkit/Special-Education-Toolkit-Resources

Rated: 3/3

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Resources - Special Education Guide | National PTA

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Find an assortment of tools for families that assist special needs children. Locate special education services in your state, and find resources from national organizations.

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https://youth.gov/federal-links/resource-ensuring-equity-and-providing-behavioral-supports-students-disabilities

Rated: 2/3

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This Dear Colleague Letter (PDF, 16 pages) describes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities who need them, and clarifies that repeated use of disciplinary actions could suggest that these students may not be receiving appropriate behavioral interventions and supports.

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Resource: Ensuring Equity and Providing Behavioral Supports to Students with Disabilities

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This Dear Colleague Letter (PDF, 16 pages) describes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral supports to students with disabilities who need them, and clarifies that repeated use of disciplinary actions could suggest that these students may not be receiving appropriate behavioral interventions and supports.

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Rated 2/3
STAR of CA offers a range of services for young children at risk for developmental delays, children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and individuals with adaptive functioning needs and behavioral challenges. Their approach integrates evidence-based practices from the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to develop an individualized program to meet each client and family’s specialized needs and learning style.
The website displays the overview of the services provided by the company. In order to acquire more detailed information, one must call or email. The qualification process can only be done through school districts or insurance.

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Star of Ca | Help for Autism & Related Disorders | California

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STAR of CA provides Behavioral and Psychological Services to children, adolescents, and adults, with autism and related disorders.

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Rated 3/3
CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning  sets the standard for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and has been at the forefront of advancing SEL across all domains for all students.  CASEL views SEL as not another item on your plate, but the plate itself.

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Families are children's first teachers and essential to promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) throughout a child's life. When educators and families work together, they can build strong connections with each other that reinforce social and emotional skills developed in the home, in schools, and in their communities.

Through supportive relationships and home environments, families model and practice SEL with their children. As experts in their children's development, interests, cultures, and strengths, families are also important advocates for SEL at their child's school. Families and caregivers can also be critical partners in shaping SEL implementation in schools.
This page focuses on the role of families and caregivers in promoting SEL, as well as partnerships and tools to support these efforts.

I want [my daughter] to be supported socially. I want her to be supported academically. I want her to be supported emotionally. And I want to know that there is cultural competency or cultural humility in the staff, that there is an awareness that they know the demographics they are dealing with.

What have we learned?
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Two-way partnerships offer schools the opportunities to learn from families, and families the opportunities to learn from schools. Schools can build upon and learn from the strategies that families are already using to support SEL and leverage families' expertise to create more inclusive school environments.

When families feel valued as partners in the school, they can also learn how to support and build on schoolwide SEL practices in their homes. Research suggests that evidence-based SEL programs are more effective when they extend into young people's home lives (Albright & Weissberg, 2010).

These partnerships, however, are not always easy to develop and prior experiences and current school climate can have a deep impact on how willing families are to pursue partnerships with their child's school. Families are far more likely to form partnerships with schools when the school's norms, values, and cultural representations reflect their own experiences. For these reasons, it is important for teams to foster a culturally responsive and welcoming school environment and authentically engage families as partners in promoting students' SEL.

How is CASEL advancing this work?
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Guidance on Building School-Family Partnerships

Our interactive, online Guide for Schoolwide SEL and District Resource Center offer free guidance, resources, tools, and templates to promote authentic family partnerships. Highlights include:

Communicating with families and inviting them to participate

Organizing opportunities for families to come together and discuss SEL topics

Aligning SEL strategies used at home and in school

Partnering with community organizations to support families

One of our School Guide tools, Strategies for Establishing School-Family Partnerships in Support of SEL, suggests ways that the SEL team can further engage families in learning about, supporting, and promoting SEL.

Collaborative Research

As a partner on The Building Equitable Learning Environments (BELE) Framework, a collaborative initiative to advance equity and excellence in education, we are striving to transform student experiences and learning outcomes. Consistent with the CASEL framework, the BELE framework emphasizes partnerships with families and caregivers, developed through trusting relationships, a shared vision, and authentic collaboration as central to equitable schools. Within this framework:

Families and school staff work in authentic partnerships to develop and advance a shared definition of student success

Families and school staff build meaningful relationships that foster mutual trust, understanding, and appreciation across cultures and other differences

School staff and out-of-school time partners share information and resources, and work together across schools, homes, and communities in support of student learning and development

Families and community members co-design and co-govern schools so that policies and practices are equitable and support all students

Broadening Awareness Among Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers are children's first teachers, and therefore they are key partners in helping build children's social and emotional competence. This role can be strengthened with broader awareness of SEL and what it means. CASEL and The Allstate Foundation launched Our Children Are Leaders, a campaign to provide parents and caregivers of PreK-12 students with guidance and resources on SEL to encourage the development of social and emotional competencies for leaders of today and tomorrow.

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Families are children's first teachers and essential to promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) throughout a child's life. When educators and

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Best Buddies provides individuals with exceptionalities to be involved with their community and provides them with long lasting life friendships.

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Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in California.

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Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in California.

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Rated 3/3
The Early Start program is California's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Early Start services are available statewide and are provided in a coordinated, family-centered system.

Early Start has a track record for closing the learning gap with early intervention.  Early Start also connects parents and caregivers to other outlets to help children reach their best outcome academically.

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The Early Start Neighborhood provides a virtual community for Early Start professionals, partners, parents and caregivers seeking information, resources, training, and technical assistance on early intervention, Part C requirements, implementation, and evidence-based practices.

Early Start Neighborhood

The Early Start service system was implemented in 1993 under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to enhance and coordinate quality early intervention services for eligible infants and toddlers (birth - three years of age) and their families in California. The delivery of quality early intervention services envisioned by Part C of IDEA requires that personnel are qualified and appropriately trained to provide those services to eligible infants and toddlers and their families.The Department of Developmental Services' (DDS) Early Start Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) provides the framework for coordinating the delivery of personnel development activities throughout California. DDS contracts with the WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention to facilitate the implementation of CSPD projects.The California Early Intervention Technical Assistance Network (CEITAN) provides online training for early intervention service coordinators, service providers, specialists, administrators, and other early intervention personnel. Early Start Online Training includes:

Foundations Series

Skill Base Series

Early Start Foundations and Skill Builders have been designed to provide service providers and service coordinators with an early intervention curriculum which addresses the many requirements and needs considered critical for the delivery of appropriate early intervention services.

For registration information go to: WestEd Online Registration

The following CSPD projects are collaborative efforts of DDS and interagency community partners.

Supporting Early Education Delivery Systems (SEEDS) contracted by CDE through Sacramento County Office of Education, SEEDS provides technical assistance to early childhood agencies from their network of consultants and visitation sites. Visitation sites have been identified as demonstrating exemplary practices in early childhood special education.

Training and Technical Assistance Collaborater (TTAC) is a group of individuals that are a collaboration of interagency partnerships in California dedicated to delivering quality personnel development activities for children birth-5 with disabilities and other special needs and their families. They have developed and promoted core messages PDF for effective training and technical assistance.

For more information about these projects please contact: WestEd Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Telephone: 916-492-4048
Additional training opportunities that support personnel development in California: Additional technical assistance:

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State of California & Department of Developmental Services

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Early Start - CA Department of Developmental Services

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The Early Start (ES) program is California's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or at risk for having a developmental disability and their families. Early Start... View Article

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Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center

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Every year, hundreds of people come to Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, wanting to break down barriers that may keep them from reaching their full potential. We serve people representing a wide a range of ages, disabilities, and needs. Through our equine therapy programs, we assist them in achieving their physical, mental, and social goals to lead richer, more independent lives.

As a nonprofit, we rely on our generous donors and dedicated team of volunteers to create a safe space and provide enriching and enjoyable programs. Joining Giant Steps is ultimately about joining an inclusive community, where different people connect and champion for each other's success.

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Home - Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center

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Every year, hundreds of people come to Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, wanting to break down barriers that may keep them from reaching their full potential. We serve people representing a wide a range of ages, disabilities, and needs. Through our equine therapy programs, we assist them in achieving their physical, mental, and social goals to lead richer, more independent lives.

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Rated 3/3
Resources and programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Services include: • Self-help and self-care skills • The ability to interact with others, making one’s needs known and responding to instructions • Self-advocacy and employment skills • Community integration skills such as accessing community services and resources • Behavior management to help improve behaviors • Social and recreational skills.
Also a good resource for behavior support.

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Inland Regional Center is a springboard to greater independence for people with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire. We are a non-profit agency that has provided support to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy since 1972. Today we provide case management and service coordination for more than 39,800 Consumers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
---Interested in working at IRC? Visit our Careers page for more information.

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Inland Regional Center is a springboard to greater independence for people with developmental disabilities in the Inland Empire. We are a non-profit agency that has provided support to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy since 1972. Today we provide case management and service coordination for more than 39,800 Consumers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

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Rated 3/3
Center for Parent Information and Resources, is a great hub of links, groups, and practical information which supports parents who have children with challenging or disruptive behaviors. The resources
here are to help parents manage and address their child’s behaviors.

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The CPIR is pleased to connect you with sources of information for helping your child with his or her behavior at home.

Having a child with challenging behavior can affect the entire family, and family members often find the need for more information and guidance in this difficult area. The resources listed below are intended to connect families with resources and support. The list isn't intended to be exhaustive of the behavior resources available, but it will certainly get you started and lead you to yet more information and resources.

__________________________________

Using Positive Methods for Change at Home

How might you address your child's challenging behavior?
You'll find this reader-friendly site is well organized. It has facts about all aspects involved in working with children who have challenging behavior. Links to information on assessment and special education are provided.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/challenging_behavior.html (English)
http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/challenging_behavior_sp.html (Spanish)

Yet more on teaching children to manage their own behavior.
What Works briefs from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning summarize effective practices for supporting children's social-emotional development and preventing challenging behaviors. This 4-pager describes practical strategies for helping children learn to manage their own behavior and provides references to more information.

English | http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/wwb/wwb7.html
Spanish | http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/briefs/wwb7-sp.pdf

Get behavior in shape at home.
How do you create a Positive Behavioral Support system in your home? This Web site gives easy-to-implement suggestions. Learn the reasoning behind different techniques and how to use them to achieve your behavior goals. Specific examples include: eating dinner, asking for things while grocery shopping, and budgeting to teach children the value of money.

English | http://www.pbis.org/common/cms/files/pbisresources/behaviorshape.doc
Spanish | http://www.pbis.org/common/pbisresources/publications/behshapespanish.doc

What is a functional behavioral assessment? Overview for parents.
A 3-page brief for parents on functional behavioral assessment.

English | http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215a.pdf
Spanish | http://www.pacer.org/parent/php/php-c215a(s).pdf

Improving Family Life

Would you like to visit another page in this Behavior Suite?

If so, here are quick-jump links for your convenience:

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The CPIR is pleased to connect you with sources of information for helping your child with his or her behavior at home. Having a child with challenging behavior can affect the entire family, and family members often find the need for more information and guidance in this difficult area.

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Mary Hajduk
Ramona Kennon-Frink
Grace Sanchez
Lisa Velazco

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Rated 2/3
The CDE website has an abundance of resources for SEL support. It is primarily a hub of links to other agencies and websites both statewide and nationally.

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Social and Emotional Support During Distance Learning

Visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Social and Emotional Support During Distance Learning web page for resources for educators, educational leaders, and families/guardians in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools, to provide social and emotional supports during distance learning.

Social and Emotional Learning Basics

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) reflects the critical role of positive relationships and emotional connections in the learning process and helps students develop a range of skills they need for school and life. SEL skills include the ability to:

set and achieve positive goals

feel and show empathy for others

establish and maintain positive relationships

make responsible decisions

understand and manage emotions

All of these skills are necessary-both for educators and students-to function well in the classroom, in the community, and in college and careers.

While many teachers instinctively know that social and emotional learning is important, historically schools have been primarily focused on teaching academic content such as reading, math, science, and history, and less intentional about supporting the social and emotional skills that are so important to learning and life success.

There is a growing body of research proving that social and emotional learning (SEL) is fundamental to academic success, and must be woven into the work of every teacher in every classroom and every after school and summer learning program, if we truly want to prepare all our students for college and careers.

The CDE is committed to helping educators learn more about SEL and how to make this a part of every child's school experience. To support this work, CDE has joined the Collaborating States Initiative a group of states that share information, best practices, and promising tools and ideas in the interest of building strong Social Emotional Learning in schools across their states. The Collaborating States Initiative is hosted by the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning .

The CDE has convened a group of experts from different sectors of the education system to advise on the best ways to support SEL implementation. The following are products this team has developed:

See CDE's press release on California's participation in the Collaborating States Initiative.

General Resources

To better understand the role of Social Emotional Learning in schools, the resources listed below are a good starting place. This list will be updated as relevant information is gathered and reviewed:

Support

If you need support in your school, district, or county in better understanding SEL or if you need implementation tools or technical assistance, the following are some resources to consider:

Register for Updates

If you would like to receive updates from the California Department of Education about California's SEL efforts, please sign up for our listserv.

To subscribe to the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Planning listserv, send a "blank" message to join-sel-planning@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

To unsubscribe from the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Planning listserv, send a "blank" message to unsubscribe-sel-planning@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

To view archived SEL newsletters, visit the Collaboration in Common SEL Newsletter Archive California Department of Education collection web page .

Last Reviewed: Wednesday, September 23, 2020

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Visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Social and Emotional Support During Distance Learning web page for resources for educators, educational leaders, and families/guardians in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools, to provide social and emotional supports during distance learning.

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Let's Ride is open for therapy lessons and sessions during COVID-19. We have implemented a CDC-compliant protocols to maintain social distancing and adhere to federal regulations. We know that many adults and children need therapy sessions in order to help manage stress, anxiety, and physical therapy requirements. Please call us today and reserve one of the few spots we have available!

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Let's Ride Equine Therapy | Therapeutic Riding Lessons

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Let's Ride is open for therapy lessons and sessions during COVID-19. We have implemented a CDC-compliant protocols to maintain social distancing and adhere to federal regulations. We know that many adults and children need therapy sessions in order to help manage stress, anxiety, and physical therapy requirements.

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California has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people who have been there. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal

The park has many interesting sites to visit including Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Here is their website and their page regarding accessibility. Map and Brochure Phone 415-561-4700

Muir Woods has an accessible boardwalk for several hundred feet to Founders Grove. "...past the boardwalk you will encounter an asphalt trail which is usable; however, it contains potholes and severe cracks due to heaving tree roots. As funding and resources allow, we will continue to replace the existing asphalt with an accessible raised boardwalk." Muir Woods Brochure is available in Braille. Accessibility at Muir Woods.

The photo is courtesy of Mark Hehir, who writes that San Francisco's Crissy Field has "several handicap parking spots, and you have a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and of Alcatraz Island."

Inyo National Forest
Inyo National Forest in the Eastern Sierra of California has some easy and some accessible trails and boardwalks such as the Nunatak Tioga Tarns Trail and the Convict Lake Loop Trail. Thanks to Debra Schweizer for letting me know about them. The 1,903,381 acre Inyo National Forest includes many of California's iconic locations such as Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, the John Muir Wilderness, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
Phone 760-873-2400 Here is their website. Visitor Guide

Mono Lake Ranger District
? Nunatak Tioga Tarns Trail 0.5 mile There are interpretive signs along this trail. Ms Schweizer writes that it may have been ADA compliant when it was originally built but has not been maintained. She has seen wheelchair users on it, but they had assistance.
Mono Lake Boardwalk, South Tufa 0.7 mile easy boardwalk through the tufas. From the photos it looks narrow for wheelchairs, but call the Visitor Center for information 760-647-3044 See also Mono Lake State Natural Reserve under the State listings on this page.

Mammoth Ranger District
Convict Lake East Shore Trail a short paved nature trail from the outflow of Convict Lake to the picnic area at the base of Mt. Morrison.
Ms Schweizer mentions the bike trails at Mammoth Lakes area. Here is a link to descriptions of these paved, "family friendly" biking trails.

White Mountain Ranger District.
Schulman Grove Visitor Center in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Ms Schweizer writes that there is a short boardwalk that gives access to the visitor center and has displays about the ancient trees.

Know more about Inyo National Forest?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

Lassen Volcanic National Park has a paved accessible interpretive trail. The hydrothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park include "roaring fumaroles (steam and volcanic-gas vents), thumping mud pots, boiling pools, and steaming ground." There are jagged peaks, mountain lakes, and meadows of wildflowers.Here is the 530-595-4480 Here is the park Lassen Volcanic National Park

accessibility page for Lassen Volcanic NP and here a PDF of their website. Accessibility Guide. Map Phone

There is a half mile paved interpretive trail in the Devastated Area. The "easy, flat nature trail loops around a small section of the Devastated Area. Displays placed along the way explain various features of this area, flattened by the eruptions of Mount Lassen between 1914 and 1917. Excellent views of Lassen itself can be seen all along the trail as well."

Know more about Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

Mendocino National Forest
The Mendocino National Forest has a couple of accessible trails at Chico Seed Orchard. The Orchard produces plants for a wide variety of projects ranging from reforestation and mine reclamation to biological, chemical, and clinical research on anti-cancer drugs derived from plants. The Mendocino is uncrossed by paved roads. Its elevation goes from 750 feet in the Grindstone Creek Canyon in the Sacramento Valley foothills on the Forest's eastern edge to the 8092 feet of South Yolla Bolly Mountain in the northern part of the Forest.
Accessible Recreation Possibilities Phone 530-934-3316 Here is their website.

Chico Seed Orchard
Comanche Trail1 mile loop in "The 3/4 mile hard surface trail winds through mixed stands of mature trees with walk bridges crossing small stream beds."
Self-guiding nature trail: 1 mile loop "meanders through a unique botanical area in Edgar Slough which has remnants of exotic species that were planted when this was a Plant Introduction Center.

Know more about Mendocino National Forest?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

Piedras Blancas Light Station
The beaches near the Piedras Blancas lighthouse, north of San Simeon, California attract thousands of elephant seals.
There are accessible boardwalks from which you can see and photograph the seals. The site is governed by the Bureau of Land Management. There is no fee for parking and viewing the seals. Here are reviews from Yelp and Trip Advisor. Phone for Friends of the Elephant Seal 805-924-1628 Website

Thank you Cathy and Gordon Illg for the photograph!

Plumas National Forest
The Plumas National Forest northeast of Chico, California has many easy trails and a couple of accessible ones. However, remember that a trail designated as "easy" may not be easy enough for you. Visitors to the Plumas National Forest enjoy its "many streams and lakes, beautiful deep canyons, rich mountain valleys, meadows, and lofty peaks." The Forest is divided into three Ranger Districts. Call before heading out to determine trail conditions.
Phone 530-283-2050 Here is the Forest website.

Beckwourth Ranger District phone 530-836-2575 Trail Descriptions.
Fern Falls Overlook 0.1mile On the Gold Lake Hwy. The trail crosses Gray Eagle Creek and leads to a scenic overlook near Fern Falls.
Grassy Lake Trail 0.8 mile leads past Grassy Lake and crosses Gray Eagle Creek.
Frazier Falls 0.5 mile on the old Gold Lake road. A paved trail leads to a fenced scenic overlook of the 176 foot tall Frazier Falls. " Individuals in wheelchairs may need assistance. Wheelchair rating difficult"
Red Fir Nature Trail 0.5 mile on the Mills Peak Lookout road. Signed trail interpreting the ecosystem within a red fir stand.
Big Cove Enabler 0.2 miles Leads from Big Cove Campground to the lake.

Feather River Ranger District Phone (530) 534-6500 Trail Descriptions
Big Bald Rock - 0.5 mile one way. Near the town of Berry Creek.

Little North Fork 2 miles one way. After the first 2 miles the trail becomes steep. 15 miles northeast of Brush Creek Work Center. The trail follows the Little North Fork River north towards the historic Robinson Mine but the trail no longer actually reaches Robinson Mine.

Mt. Hough Ranger District Trail Descriptions

Yellow Creek Trail 1.4 miles Near the Ely Stamp Mill rest area, across from Belden, "...an enjoyable day hike that ends in a box canyon."

Know more about Plumas National Forest?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

San Bernardino National Forest
The San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California has many easy and a few accessible trails. The 823,816 acre Forest includes five wilderness areas. There are district Ranger Offices at Fawnskin, Idyllwild, and Lytle Creek. Baron Flats and Mill Creek have Visitor Centers. Elevation ranges from 2,000′ to 11,499′.
Here is the Forest website. Headquarters are in San Bernardino, phone 909-382-2600 Visitors Guide Accessibility

San Jacinto Ranger District, Idyllwild phone 909-382-2921
Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail - 2.6 mile trail leaves from Humber Park. The trail starts at 6100 ft. elevation and crosses streams as it descends 600 ft. It is rated easy, but may not be easy for you. Call ahead to learn more.
Chaparral Neighborhood Trail 0.5 mile self guided nature trail. Said to be easy, but check with the Ranger Station first.

Front Country Ranger District, Lytle Creek phone 909-382-2851
Native Plant Garden paved walkways through different local plant communities. No ADA rating, but this garden right behind the ranger station sounds likely.
Rio Monte Trail 2.5 miles "easy walk" Starts at Barton Flats Visitor Center. Check ahead 909-794-4861 to determine if this is easy enough for you.
Big Falls Trail 0.3 miles "easy walk" The trail goes to the highest waterfall in Southern California.

Mountain Top Ranger District, Fawnskin phone 909-382-2790
Lake Arrowhead area
Seeley Creek Trail 1 mile described as "gentle". Trail crossed the creek and ends at a waterfall.
Heaps Peak Arboretum Trail 0.7 mile loop a self guided nature tour that is "easy for all ages".
Trail of the Phoenix 0.5 mile loop "designed and maintained to accommodate the needs of the visually and physically disabled."
Big Bear Valley
Alpine Pedal Path 2.5 miles one way asphalt path "connects the Big Bear Discovery Center with the Cougar Crest Trailhead and a pathway along the North shore of Big Bear Lake" "...this gentle trail has some magnificent views of the lake."
Nature Discovery Trail 0.5 mile loop through the forest behind the Big Bear Discovery Center.
Woodland Trail 1.5 mile loop self guided interpretive trail

Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail 0.3 mile one way along a small stream, ending at one of the largest known Lodgepole pines in California. You can continue another 0.4 mile on the Bluff Mesa Trail which is a "leisurely walk" through stands of Jeffrey Pine.

Know more about San Bernardino National Forest?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails? Is any of the information given here incorrect? If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
The adjacent Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the southern Sierra Nevada of California have some accessible and easy trails. The parks include high mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, marble caverns, and the world's largest trees. Elevations range from 1,300′ in the foothills to 14,491′ at the summit of Mt. Whitney. Much of the parks area is designated wilderness. The two parks are administered together by the National Park Service. Thank you Gary Rogers for bringing these parks to my attention.

There are five visitor centers and a museum. Two of the visitor centers, Foothills and Kings Canyon, and the museum are open year around.
Here is the Parks' website. Park phone 559-565-3341

Cedar Grove area trails
Zumwalt Meadow 1.5-mile trail, some of it boardwalk. The trail "...passes high granite walls, lush meadows, and the Kings River." Parts of this trail were washed out in early 2017, making it more difficult. Check with the visitor center.
Roaring River Falls paved "Relatively accessible" "...A very short, shady walk to a powerful waterfall rushing through a granite chute."
? Mist Falls 3 of the first 4 miles to the falls are "relatively flat" but the last mile to the falls rises 600″.
Giant Forest and Lodgepole trails
General Sherman Tree. There is handicapped parking and an accessible trail two miles north of the Giant Forest Museum on the Generals Highway. The main trail is only 0.5 mile, but includes some stairs.
Big Trees Trail 0.66 mile paved loop starting at Giant Forest Museum.

Grant Grove trails
General Grant Tree Trail 0.33 mile paved. Trail to one of the world's largest living trees.
? North Grove Loop 1.5 mile through "...quiet walk past meadows and creeks, through mixed conifer and sequoia forest."

Yosemite National Park
The 1,200 square miles of Yosemite National Park include impressive waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, and a vast wilderness area.
Here is the Park website. Accessibility Guide Phone Park Headquarters 209-372-0200 Accessibility Coordinator 209‐379‐1035Yosemite Valley Here is a video of easy trails.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail 1 mile paved "Consider walking the loop in a clockwise direction for best views of Yosemite Falls. This eastern portion of this loop trail is wheelchair accessible (when not covered in ice or snow)."
Bridalveil Fall Trail 0.5 mile paved The trail is considered too steep for wheelchairs.
Mirror Lake Trail 1 mile paved. Be sure to go in the spring when there is a lake and not just a meadow.
Cook's Meadow Loop 1 mile "...short, easy walk offers stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock."
Wawona
Wawona Meadow Loop 3.5 miles

White Wolf
? Lukens Lake from Tioga Road 1.6 miles round trip. "The trail winds through a mixed conifer forest, then over a saddle and down to a small mountain lake surrounded by a meadow." Although this trail is rated "easy" you had better call first to learn about possible obstacles.
Tuolumne Meadows
Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge 1.5 miles Described in trailmob.com as "a great choice for hikers traveling with small children. "

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State

Accessibility within California's State Parks Here is a list of accessible trails in California's State Parks. You can arrange the list by region or alphabetically.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California has a lovely wheelchair accessible trail and an easy loop walking trail. The park is most famous for the 40-acre grove of towering old-growth redwood trees and lies on 4,650 acres of forested and open land.
The visitors center has a loaner wheelchair, but you had better call in advance (831-335-4598) as they are short staffed and sometimes the center is unpredictably closed. Here is their website. Trail descriptions Redwood Grove Trail 0.8 mile loop - A great horned owl's hooting added to the pleasure of this lovely trail among giant redwood trees. Thank you Mark Hehir, for the suggestion.

Meadow-River Loop 1 mile loop, described as "gentle". Take the Meadow Trail just off Highway 9 to the Nature Store and return on the River Trail.

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve has accessible trails and boardwalks The Reserve is 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park and is near the town of Lee Vining. 65 square mile Mono Lake is over 1 million years old, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. It is famous for its tufa towers, calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. The reserve protects the lake and the wetlands and other sensitive habitat for the 1 - 2 million birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year.
Here is their website. Information on Accessibility. Phone 760-647-6331

South Tufa Interpretive Trail 0.25 mile self-guided trail to the shore and through the tufa towers. The first 0.25 mile is wheelchair accessible and the hard-packed soil beyond is easy walking.
Boardwalk Interpretive Trail 0.5 mile gives access to the north shore tufa areas and marsh.
Lake Trail 0.35 mile through the wetland to the shore.

Patrick's Point State Park
Patrick's Point State Park has three short accessible trails. The 640 acre park is 30 miles north of Eureka, California and lies on a forested promontory overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are accessible campsites. Patrick's Point SP is in redwood country and you will find "Forests of spruce, hemlock, pine, fir and red alder stretch over an ocean headland with wildflower-filled meadows." On our very short visit we just walked along the road and enjoyed the marvelous scenery. Accessibility Phone 707-677-3570 Here is the park's website.

Ceremonial Rock/Sumeg Village Trail 0.73 goes through a spruce forest, passing near to the Native Plant Garden,Sumeg Village, and Ceremonial Rock.
Rim/Campfire Center Trail 0.87 mile is a hike along the coastal bluff with multiple views of the ocean.
Patrick's Point Overlook Trail 0.07 a spur trail on top of coastal bluff with 180° view of the ocean.

Prairie Creek State Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park ..."protects sandy beaches and open meadows grazed by magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk. Ferns cascade down canyon walls. Lush stands of the world's tallest living tree species, the coast redwood, stand in primeval majesty." The park has three scenic drives, 75 miles of hiking trails, and a 19-mile bike loop.
Many thanks to the website visitor who brought the park to my attention, sent the photos, and wrote, "... the trail I recommend most starts near the visitor center and while the trail is not paved it is kept clear and is quite doable. When you come out at a road you can cross and go into an area where there is a very old large Redwood tree with the trail leading away from it back toward the visitor center. On this side of the road the trail is covered with fairly large broken rock which is difficult with a wheelchair. I would recommend returning on the part of the trail you were already on. Also there is at least one other accessible trail that starts near the visitor center."
Visitor Center phone 707-488-2039 Park website. Park Brochure.
Revelation Trail 0.25 mile, designed for all five senses.

Big Tree Trail 0.3 mile

Prairie Creek Trail 1.5 miles

Elk Prairie Trail 1.3 mile loop from Visitor Center

Trinidad State Beach
Trinidad State Beach has a short trail through forest which is rated "generally accessible". What we liked was that you can get to the water from the parking lot without having to go down steep stairs. The photo below was taken a short distance from the parking lot. The beach is 19 miles north of Eureka, CA, just off Highway 101. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset. Phone 707-677-3570. Here is their website. Accessibility

? Trinidad State Beach and College Cove 2 mile loop with some steep sections. Although AllTrails describes it as suitable for all skill levels, some of their reviewer say parts are quite steep.

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Local

Bear Yuba Land Trust
The Bear Yuba Land Trust in Nevada County, California includes at least four accessible trails in the areas where the non-profit, membership-supported organization has acquired land to conserve "the region's natural, historical and agricultural legacy." According to helpful people with the land trust, the trails listed below are "... ADA friendly but may not meet all ADA standards".
Phone 520-272-5994 Here is the Trust's Facebook page and their website Trails Portal Trails Location Map
Litton Trail 2 miles one-way. "A well-established trail through an informal urban greenbelt in the vicinity of the Sierra College campus in Grass Valley."
Independence Trail West Independence Trail East "Independence Trail transformed an historic gold mining ditch into the nation's first identified handicapped-accessible wilderness trail. It is now one of the most popular trails in the area, contouring along wooded hillsides, passing live streams, and crossing deep gorges on restored wooden flumes that once transported water for hydraulic mining. The trail has two separate sections - West and East - that extend from one main trailhead on Highway 49." "West trail is wheelchair accessible in dry months from the trailhead to a short way beyond Flume 28 (about 1.1 miles one way)."
"Like the Independence Trail West, the East trail follows the gentle gradient of an old mining ditch and is wheelchair accessible. It offers occasional views of the South Yuba River canyon and passes seasonal side streams and bogs. Tree cover and a generally northerly orientation keep the trail relatively cool and green for its 1400-1500 foot elevation."
Thank you to Rosemary Mendonca who wrote with this sad news, "...much of this wonderful trail sustained damage in the \"Jones\" wild fire last year and it is closed to the public. They intend to repair and rebuild but it\'s unknown when it will reopen. https://activenorcal.com/historic-independence-trail-destroyed-in-northern-californias-jones-fire/ https://www.bylt.org/independence-trail/"
Penn Valley Bike Trail 1.7 miles one way Not really a natural trail, the description of its environment is "commercial and residential areas with some areas of oak woodland and pines."
Western Gateway Park Trail A small town park with lots of grassy fields and a creek running though it. The fitness trail of about a mile round trip goes through "Mixed oak woodland and pines, riparian forest, and landscaped areas."

City of Anaheim
Oak Canyon Nature Center
Oak Canyon Nature Center's Main Road is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The 58-acre natural park is in the Anaheim Hills. The park consists of three adjoining canyons and there is a year-round stream. There are four miles of hiking trails which traverse one of the few remaining areas of oak woodland and coastal sage scrub in this region. There is an interpretive center, a small museum with live animals and regional natural history exhibits.
Here is Anaheim's website and here is the website for Oak Canyon Nature Center. Phone 714-998-8380 Trail guide
Main Road 0.7 mile " bisects the center of the canyon, offering hikers an open view. The road is level and accessible to both strollers and wheelchairs."

City of Palo Alto
"Palo Alto's open space preserves offer a chance to hike from the marshes of the bay to the redwoods of the upper Santa Cruz mountains."
Baylands Nature Preserve near Palo Alto - According to Wikipedia, this preserve is the "largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay." Here is Mark Hehir's video of the accessible paths and many of the birds to be found there. Phone 650-329-2506 This is their website.
Palo Alto Open Space and Parks

City of San Jose
The city of San Jose, California has a trail system of over 57 miles of recreation and active transportation opportunities. Here is the city's Website and their Trail Network .

Alum Rock Park is about five miles from downtown San Jose. The lower trails alongside the Penitencia Creek are paved and shady. Where the pavement leaves off, there is still lovely and easy hiking as well as challenging, steep trails. The park is in a canyon in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range. There are many wild animals including mountain lions, bobcats, and deer. Pets are not allowed. Ranger office phone 408-259-5477.
Here is the Park's website. Trail Map

Modoc County
The River Center in Alturas offers a wealth of programs and information about the surrounding area, including the Pit River Watershed, Modoc County and Siskiyou County in California, Lake County and Klamath County in Oregon. The center is now housed in the Modoc Historical Museum, 600 S Main St, which is wheelchair accessible. Call 530-233-4314 ext. 115 for hours and other information.
There is an easy walking path along the Pitt River, but is very soft sand and probably would be difficult for a wheelchair.

Nevada City
Nevada City, California backs onto the Tahoe National Forest and has many accessible trails within or near the town. The city website lists a number of trails you can access walking from downtown or via a short drive. "The good news with all of these outings is the accessibility to the outdoors and proximity to in-town coffee shops, restaurants, wineries, pubs, art galleries and theaters." Here is the city website's listing of area trails. By clicking on the hiking boot by this map of Nevada County you can see all the trails in the county. Here is another map showing the location of trails in the Nevada City and Grass Valley area.

Hirschman Trail "The eastern 0.4 mile of trail is constructed to ADA standards, providing barrier-free access to Hirschman's Pond." Map
Cascade Canal Trail 4.5 miles one way. "...an almost level walk along a peaceful canal through a forest with many Douglas firs and dogwoods. At 3200′ elevation, it is a bit higher and cooler than many local trails." Map
Independence Trail - East and West. See Bear Yuba Trust Map

Santa Clara County Parks
The regional parks system includes 28 regional parks encompassing over 52,000 acres. " Regional parks are larger in size, usually more than 200 acres, than local neighborhood or community parks. Many of the County's regional parks also feature points of local historic interest." Here is their Park Finder tool for finding a park that fits your activity preference. Here is the County parks website.

In response to my inquiry, they sent this helpful reply:Diablo Range foothills of the eastern Santa Clara Valley. Thank you to Mark Heir for the lovely photos. Here is a
"We do make every effort to design and build trails that meet grade and width requirements. The following is a short list of recently constructed trails and paved pathways that offer opportunities for those with disabilities requiring the use of mobility devices.
Paved; Los Gatos Creek trail, Coyote Creek, Penitencia Creek, Martin Murphy at Coyote Lake, Harvey Bear Ranch.
Natural surface trails; Coyote Lake Harvey Bear-Campground trail, Valley Oak, Calaveras, Rancho La Polka trail via the southern segment of the Mendoza trail. Sanborn County Park-John Nicholas trail and the Indian Rock trail."
The Joseph D. Grant County Park, also known as Grant Ranch Park is in the video he shot as he explored this park .

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Private

Miscellaneous

The Falcon Guide "Best Easy Day Hikes Lake Tahoe" by Tracy Salcedo-Chourré is very helpful for pointing you to easy hikes.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - lists wheelchair accessible trails in California.

We happened on the Bizz Johnson rail trail near Susanville. What a treat! There is parking at either end of the seven mile accessible trail or you can take a wheelchair -accommodating shuttle bus from Susanville and then enjoy a 3% downhill ride along the Susan River. The bus operates from June - October on the first and third Saturdays. Call 530-252-7433 to learn more.

Wheelchair Rider's Guide to California Coast Here is a fantastic resource by Access Northern California and California State Coastal Conservancy. There is information for all of coastal California with searchable pages.

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California Accessible Easy Nature Trails | Accessible Nature

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California has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them. Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people who have been there.

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Trash grabbers are available with some beach wheelchairs for users wishing to participate in beach cleanup events.

For more information, please contact us at
(800) Coast4u or coast4u@coastal.ca.gov.

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State of California - Ca. Coastal Commission

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Trash grabbers are available with some beach wheelchairs for users wishing to participate in beach cleanup events. For more information, please contact us at (800) Coast4u or coast4u@coastal.ca.gov.

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Tools and Resources for Families and Family Support Personnel

Resources To Support A Student With Autism's Return To School Or With Distance Learning

Description and Resources

Resource Padlet For Supporting Students With Autism Return To In-Person Schooling

Resource and Guidance Padlets during School Closures for Students with ASD

Free Online Resources About Autism

Thumbnail Image

Resources and Descriptions

AFIRM Online Learning Modules
The AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an EBP with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age.

Autism Distance Education Parent Training
The UC Davis MIND Institute/CEDD created these interactive, self-paced, online learning modules to provide parents with tools and training to more effectively teach their child with autism and other related neurodevelopmental disorders functional skills using applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques.

Available in the following languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish

These CDC informational tools and materials are for families of children with autism ages birth to 5 years. You can learn about milestones in how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves. You can also track your child's development and act early if you have a concern.

ASD Toddler Initiative
The ASD Toddler Initiative has developed these research based materials to support the use of evidence-based practices for young children (birth-3) with autism and for their families.

Effective Early Childhood Transitions GuideThis guide was developed by the CA Dept.of Developmental Services, Early Start Section and the California Department of Education, Special Education Division.
This guide identifies required elements for transition and recommended practices to support families and their children in their transition from Early Start services to other services

If you have a question about autism you may send an email to: captain@marinschools.org

Informational Presentations About ASD Developed By CAPTAIN

Infographics To Learn More About Evidence-Based Practices For ASD

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Tools and Resources for Families and Family Support Personnel

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Description and Resources Resource Padlet For Supporting Students With Autism Return To In-Person Schooling Resource and Guidance Padlets during School Closures for Students with ASD Thumbnail Image Resources and Descriptions AFIRM Online Learning Modules The AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an EBP with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age.