Masking Policy
Disabled Hikers Mask Policy for Events
Disabled Hikers requires face masks at all of our group hikes, gatherings, and in-person trainings. Face masks should be high filtration, such as KF-94, KN-95, or N-95. Surgical masks (the three-ply disposable masks often in blue or black) are discouraged. Cloth masks do not meet the face mask requirement and should not be worn.
If you have a disability that prevents wearing a face mask, you are not required to wear one. Some examples include but are not limited to: requiring oxygen; using your mouth or breath for adaptive tools; physically unable to put on a mask; someone with intellectual or developmental disabilities or significant sensory barriers to wearing a mask; someone with significant respiratory limitations; anyone who has been advised by a doctor not to wear a mask.
If you are unable to wear a mask, we will not ask you to disclose your disability. It is appreciated if you do share in private so that we can best meet your access needs and ensure you and other attendees remain safe. However, we may ask about your recent exposure and other risk factors, and/or ask you to test for Covid and flu.
Masks are provided at no charge. We always try to have masks available. We also encourage people to connect with their local Mask Bloc for free masks, tests, and more.
Mask breaks are welcome. You can take a break to eat, drink, or breathe without a mask at anytime. Please move at least 15 feet away from the group when you remove your mask. Our group hikes are also very slow, so that attendees do not overly exert themselves while wearing a mask.
The Purpose of our Policy
Disabled Hikers is committed to creating safer, access-centered spaces for the cross-disability community. This includes people who are immunocompromised or otherwise at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory and other viruses. Disabled Hikers considers face masks a core access tool, in the same way a wheelchair ramp or curb cut is (or should be). Many of us wore face masks long before the Covid 19 pandemic, and will continue to do so. Some people are not able to wear a mask due to their own disability. Other than those exceptions, wearing a mask generally does not cause harm, much in the same way that not everyone needs to use a wheelchair ramp but are generally not harmed in doing so. We recognize that face masks are not comfortable for everyone to wear, or that some individuals feel they do not need a mask for accessibility. We ask those individuals to respect the access needs of people who need others to wear a mask, just as they would want their own access needs to be respected. It is unfortunate that wearing a mask has become so highly politicized and propagandized. Public health is increasingly under threat, and our access to masks, tests, and vaccines are more limited. It is important to recognize that even if you do not consider yourself at high risk, that Covid and other illnesses still have long term impacts on health. It is as important as ever that we take care of each other. Our mask policy is a commitment to community care and safety.
Upcoming Events
Disabled Hikers Group Hike: Jamestown S'Klallam Holiday LightsSat, Dec 13Jamestown S'Klallam Tribal Campus