Author Talk: Syren Nagakyrie at Black Bird Books, San Francisco

Syren Nagakyrie discusses their book, The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California, and their work to create a more accessible and inclusive outdoors. What does accessibility actually mean? What outdoor recreation opportunities are available for people with disabilities? How do we shift decades of misperception about disability and the outdoors? Learn answers to these questions and much more in this presentation that celebrates disability in the outdoors.

The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: Outdoor Adventures Accessible by Car, Wheelchair, and on Foot is a trailblazing guide that removes one of the barriers to access in the outdoors by providing detailed trail information written by a disabled person, for disabled people. The book features over 40 scenic drives and viewpoints, verified wheelchair accessible trails, and foot trails for disabled hikers. The trail guides provide a step-by-step or roll-by-roll description of what you will encounter on the trail, including obstacles like roots and rocks, steep sections, and places to rest. Public transit and driving directions, detailed maps, and hundreds of photos are also featured. The book covers the northern region of California, from Monterey to the Oregon state line, and offers options that meet a variety of accessibility needs to ensure there is something for everyone.

This guide includes:

• Drive-up Adventures: Places that can be reached via car or accessible transportation that offer sweeping views or beautiful surroundings without having to go out on trail. Where trails that meet the guidelines are also available, they will be referenced and a trail guide provided.

• Wheelchair-Accessible Trails: Descriptions of verified wheelchair accessible trails. Trails will be reviewed for adherence to accessibility guidelines and inaccessible features will be noted (this is a fairly common occurrence). Descriptions of trail surface, grade, and detailed directions will also be provided. Wheelchair users need more information than simply listing whether a trail is "wheelchair accessible" or not.

• Hiking Trails: Listings will include trails with varying difficulty levels. The majority of trails will be in locations associated with developed recreations areas. There will also be options for backcountry or wilderness area hikes as well as lesser-known trails.

Pre-order the book and pick it up at the store, or buy a copy there!

Accessibility Information:

The main floor of the bookstore and the event location are wheelchair accessible. There is street parking, or take N-Judah or the 18 bus. It is requested that you wear a mask.

You do not have to register to attend, but are welcome to if you would like the information emailed to you.