5 of the Most Handicapped Accessible Beaches Across New England

This post contains beaches in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine; and is written from my own, personal preference as a disabled woman who prefers to stay in her wheelchair while at the beach.

Now that August’s sweltering heat and humidity are upon us in full swing, it can only mean one thing–it’s time for a beach getaway to soak up the last month of summer in all of it’s precious glory! However, if you have a disabled family member, finding accessible beaches can be somewhat of a challenge. Because as my mom and I have learned the hard way, the word “accessible” can mean a myriad of things to those not in the disabled population, from a manageable lip to a full-blown staircase to get to the access point for the beach. Therefore, I wanted to use this blog post to spread the wealth, so to speak, of some of the most accessible beaches that I’ve come across in my travels across New England.

So, if you’re on the hunt for handicapped beaches to visit this summer, I hope this list points you in the direction of a couple of hidden gems!

1. Silver Sands State Park in Milford, CT

The name of the beach is very misleading because it’s not just a state park. It’s a state park on the Long Island shoreline! I visited this beach about four years ago with my mom, and it still remains one of my favorites to this day. Not only does it have a boardwalk, but it also has a paved path that stops a hair away from the water’s edge–which is a feat that I have yet to see at any other beach.

2. Ogunquit Beach in Ogunquit, ME

This is another one of the most accessible beaches that I’ve been to and it’s because it has a canopy overlooking the beach! Speaking as someone who is not the biggest fan of the beach, I don’t particularly find it enjoyable to sit in the sun and sweat all the live long day. That is precisely why the large built-in canopy is so wonderful, because you can enjoy the same view of the ocean without getting all hot in the sun. Another plus is that the canopy has built-in seating and spaces in between rows for wheelchair users to park and enjoy the view.

3. Easton’s Beach in Newport, RI

Newport is one of my favorite places to travel to, and one of the main reasons is this beach! It is commonly known as First Beach amongst the locals–and, ahem, frequent visitors. But the cool thing about this beach, is that it has an expansive boardwalk that I prefer to sit on rather than get all sandy.

4. Chalker Beach in Old Saybrook, CT

My family and I discovered this hidden gem while renting two side-by-side houses on Chalker Beach last year. But there is a visitor’s access to the beach.

5. Joseph Sylvia State Beach in Oak Bluff’s, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

This one is truly a hidden find that is a sight to behold! My family and I literally stumbled upon this gem five years ago when vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard. The handicapped entrance is very inconspicuously surrounded by tall sea grasses and is located along the main road leading to downtown Oak Bluff’s, so if you’re not on the lookout for it you likely would miss it. But it has a wooden boardwalk that leads you to one of the biggest decks that is perfect for any handicapped person!