Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites will officially launch Georgia In Color on September 3 at Cloudland Canyon State Park, kicking off a statewide initiative to raise $70,000 to make EnChroma color accessibility glasses available to borrow at every Georgia State Park and Historic Site.
Color vision deficiency affects approximately 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women—an estimated 13 million people in the United States. For people with red-green color vision deficiency, fall foliage, spring blooms, sunsets, and other colorful landscapes may appear less distinct.
Georgia In Color will make color accessibility glasses available to more people at more parks, creating new opportunities to experience Georgia’s natural beauty in a whole new way.
The glasses use special optical filters designed for people with certain types of red-green color vision deficiency. Visitors will be able to borrow the glasses during their park or historic site visit and return them before leaving.
“Georgia In Color is a relatively simple idea, but it carries a great deal of meaning for all of us,” said Damon Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. “With the support of donors and partners, we are helping more visitors experience the vibrant colors of Georgia’s great places- one park at a time.”
Georgia In Color supports Georgia DNR’s Outdoors Beyond Barriers (OBB) program by expanding the availability of color accessibility glasses across the state. The OBB provides adaptive equipment and other opportunities for more people to enjoy Georgia’s outdoor spaces.
Color accessibility glasses are currently only available at three state parks in Georgia. Through Georgia In Color, Friends will fund multiple pairs of glasses for every state park and historic site in Georgia.
The September 3 launch at Cloudland Canyon State Park will bring together volunteers with color vision deficiency, park representatives, supporters, and campaign partners for a live demonstration of the glasses.
A gift of $220 can provide one pair of color accessibility glasses, while $1,100 can equip an entire park. Donations of any amount will move Georgia In Color closer to its goal of reaching every Georgia State Park and Historic Site.
To learn more about Georgia In Color or to make a gift, visit friendsofgastateparks.org/georgia-in-color.