![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/www.activeagingcanada.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apple-picking-within-everyones-reach-content.jpg\")
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photo by K\u00e9roul<\/p>\n
To be part of the Accessible Road, establishments must meet these criteria:<\/p>\n
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- Staff trained in the Welcoming Ways program to guarantee quality service<\/li>\n
- Full access to the site<\/li>\n
- An entrance free of any obstacles.<\/li>\n
- Doors with at least 76 centimetres of width clearance for a wheelchair<\/li>\n
- Corridors free of obstacles and with at least 92 centimetres of clearance for turning in a wheelchair<\/li>\n
- Public restrooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms with at least 1.5 m X 1.5 m of manoeuvring<\/li>\n
- Outdoor paths of a least one meter width<\/li>\n
- Grab bars for toilets, showers, and bathtubs<\/li>\n
- At least 68.5 centimetres of clearance beneath washbasins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A sample outing: Le Beau Markon<\/strong><\/p>\n
For instance, if you\u2019re planning an outing, why not go to the \u00eele d\u2019Orl\u00e9ans, the cradle of French America? To discover the local specialties, take advantage of fully accessible activities at the farm Le Beau Markon, located in Sainte-Famille. This agritourism farm offers apple picking and many enjoyable farm activities. A significant portion of its clientele comes from long-term care centres. Even if you are 100 years old, this outing is for you.<\/p>\n
![\"K\u00e9roul](\"https:\/\/www.activeagingcanada.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apple-picking-within-everyones-reach-dining-room.jpg\")
<\/p>\nphoto by P. Markon<\/p>\n
Owners Dominique Le Beau and Philippe Markon are accreditated by K\u00e9roul as providers of Welcoming Ways<\/em>. They welcome you with a smile and accept only one group at a time, reserving a section of the orchard for each group. This means that each group can easily pick apples from low-hanging branches. Dominique and Philippe ensure that the orchard is free of obstacles, including fruit that has fallen to the ground. They take care to have easy-to-navigate slopes, grass, and trails.<\/p>\n
Once you have picked and tagged your bag of apples, they go in a cart and are delivered to your bus, leaving you unencumbered as you explore the orchard. And there is no need to rush your outing for lack of a fully accessible washroom. All this is taken care of. The rustic beauty of the site becomes the perfect backdrop for a picnic. You can have a close look at the farm animals and discover all that happens on the farm.<\/p>\n
Fun even on a rainy day<\/strong><\/p>\n
Groups love coming to Le Beau Markon, even when it\u2019s not very nice outside. The staff pick several varieties of apples in the morning and display them in the reception room, where you can take your pick. In the barn, you\u2019ll listen to a presentation (supported with photos) about the life of the farm over a one-year period, including the orchard in flowers, the sugar shack, and the production of apple juice and maple syrup.<\/p>\n
Under the large sloping roof adjacent to the barn, the horse and the dog will greet and entertain you. After that, it\u2019s fresh apple juice tasting and a draw for different products of the farm.<\/p>\n
So much to take away<\/strong><\/p>\n
Not only will you be able to pick your own basket of apples, but you will learn all about the different varieties and their features. And while you\u2019re there, why not add to your basket a bottle of the farm\u2019s delicious fresh apple cider, some pears grown in the orchard, a few maple products, or a container of their home-made sauerkraut?<\/p>\n
A memorable day at the orchard in l\u2019\u00eele d\u2019Orl\u00e9ans is just one example of the many accessible outings that K\u00e9roul promotes. In 2011, the organization won the Ulysses Award for Innovation in Non-governmental Organizations from the United Nations World Tourism Organization.<\/p>\n
Lyne M\u00e9nar, Assistant Director at K\u00e9roul.
\nhttps:\/\/www.keroul.qc.ca\/en\/home.html<\/a><\/p>\nClick Here for print PDF file – Active living – apple picking within everyone’s reach<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A unique non-profit organization called K\u00e9roul has dedicated itself to promoting tourism for people with physical disabilities within the province of Qu\u00e9bec. Accessibility is a key issue for the disabled and elderly, and K\u00e9roul offers more than 200 tourism experiences that meet its standards, forming what is called The Accessible Road. K\u00e9roul has trained 1400 … Continue reading Apple picking within everyone\u2019s reach<\/span>