Cape Leisure Florida Cavern’s Accessibility and Inclusion Policy

Building on the core values of equality, respect and accountability, Cape Leisure strives to provide welcoming and accessible services to the diverse visitors of Florida Caverns State Park. Our accessibility and inclusion policy seeks to ensure that our services meet the needs of the Park’s visitors regardless of ability, age, race, religion or ethnicity.

Cape Leisure is committed to meeting and exceeding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and Chapter 760, Part I, Florida Statutes, the “Florida Civil Rights Act.” Cape Leisure will not discriminate on the basis of disability or impairment and will not exclude persons with disability or impairment from reasonable access to facilities, grounds and activities related to Cape Leisure-managed activities at Florida Caverns State Park.

Also, Cape Leisure will always seek a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and the guests whom we serve. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns so that to the best of our abilities, we can safely accommodate and assist you. Telephone: (850) 526-2650.  Email: [email protected].

Following are the Essential Eligibility Criteria for the various activities offered at Florida Caverns State Park.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Cape Leisure Cavern Walking Tours – Florida Caverns State Park

In order to participate in this activity, one must:

• Be comfortable in enclosed spaces.
• Be capable of walking down 33 uneven steps to enter the cavern, and dependent on cavern conditions, to ascend this stairway as well.
• Be capable of walking more than 6/10ths of mile for up to an hour.
• Be able to negotiate, on foot, narrow passages, including ceiling heights as low as 4.5 feet and stone passageways 24 inches wide and 15 feet in length.
• Be able to negotiate, on foot, sloping and uneven terrain, including an exit passageway incline of 15 percent.

Note: A virtual tour of Florida Caverns is available in the Visitor Center.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Cape Leisure Paddle Watercraft Rentals – Florida Caverns State Park

In order to participate in this activity, one:

• Must not exceed the vessel manufacturer’s weight limit specifications.
• Must have the ability to follow verbal and or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must be able to wear a properly fitted personal flotation device.
• Must be able to walk short distances, up to 40 feet, over uneven, sandy and wet terrain, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must have the ability to enter/exit the watercraft independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must be able to remain seated, maneuver and balance independently in the watercraft, using adaptive support if necessary.
• At least one person in the watercraft must be able to move the watercraft through the water in a stable manner and bring it to the shoreline or designated area.
• Must have the ability to get to safety if in distress, either independently or with the assistance of a companion.

In the event of a capsize:

• Must have the ability to get out from under the watercraft independently.
• Must have the ability to right oneself and remain face up in the water with the aid of a personal flotation device.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Cape Leisure Bicycle and E-Bike Rentals – Florida Caverns State Park

In order to participate in this activity, one:

• Must wear a helmet if under 16 years of age.
• Must not exceed bicycle manufacturer’s weight limit specifications.
• Must have the ability to follow verbal and or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must be able to walk short distances up to 50 feet over uneven, sandy and wet terrain, independently or with the assistance of a companion.
• Must be able and willing to wear all protective equipment recommended or required by industry standards.
• Must have the ability to follow applicable local traffic laws.
• Must be able to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars.
• Must be able to keep head up and look forward.
• Must have the ability to independently control, maneuver and maintain balance on the bike on both smooth and uneven terrain.
• Must have the ability to get on and off the bicycle independently or with the assistance of a companion.