SoKY’s Choice: New nonprofit brings accessible outdoor experiences to South Central Kentucky

GLASGOW, Ky. (WNKY) – A new nonprofit organization in South Central Kentucky is working to ensure the outdoors is no longer out of reach for people with mobility challenges.

Wheelable Wilderness, founded by Kent Madison and his wife Jessica, is focused on making nature more accessible through free access to specialized all-terrain track wheelchairs.

Madison, who uses a wheelchair, said the idea for the organization came after years of facing barriers while trying to enjoy outdoor activities.

“Every time I wanted to do that, I was faced with numerous, countless barriers,” Madison said. “It was just that endless list of obstacles.”

Those experiences came to a head during a camping trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, when the couple lost access to a reserved accessible campsite due to a booking error. Madison said he was ultimately forced to sleep in his car.

Frustrated, he decided to take action.

“We are a 501 C3 nonprofit dedicated to making the outdoors accessible to everyone,” Madison said. “We break down the barriers and limitations for individuals with mobility issues.”

The organization’s track wheelchairs are designed to handle rugged terrain like sand, mud and trails, allowing users to explore areas traditional wheelchairs cannot reach.

“You go through sand, mud, snow… there’s nothing that this thing can’t do or take you,” Madison said.

Jessica Madison said the impact goes far beyond convenience.

“It’s freedom,” she said. “It’s making things possible that weren’t possible before and just making everything more free.”

She said even everyday outings once required careful planning and extra equipment, with accessibility challenges often limiting where they could go.

“There are so many people that want to go places and want to do things, and they just can’t access it,” she said. “We’re just trying to change that for people.”

Beyond the wheelchair lending program, Wheelable Wilderness has plans to expand, eventually creating a fully accessible campground with features like adaptive trails, a fishing pond and sensory spaces.

For Madison, the mission is personal, but the goal is much broader.

“You want to be included… you want to be with your family, with your friends,” he said. “And with this chair, that’s never a question.”

The organization is currently offering its services across a wide region, with hopes of expanding access and awareness in the months ahead.