Cove Talk with Austin Nicassio: Expanding Access to the Outdoors

Join us for a powerful Cove Talk with Austin Nicassio, founder of Accessible Off-Road and a leading advocate for disability inclusion in outdoor recreation. After a life changing viral illness left him with a disability, Austin transformed personal adversity into a mission to expand access. Through innovative adaptive vehicles and community-centered advocacy, he is helping redefine who belongs in wild and public spaces. In this uplifting conversation, Austin will share his journey, the barriers many still face in accessing nature, and the importance of designing outdoor experiences that welcome everyone. With honesty, vision, and inspiration, this discussion challenges us to imagine a future where connection to nature is not limited by mobility, but strengthened through inclusion. Location: Crystal Cove Cottage Check-In Deck Meet Austin: Austin Nicassio is the Director and Founder of Accessible Off-Road (AOR), a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down barriers to outdoor access for people with mobility disabilities. With a Master’s in Astronautical Engineering, Austin has spent ten years at Boeing as a Lead Systems Engineer, managing the integration of complex space systems. In 2022, Austin became disabled and experienced firsthand the exclusion many face at trailheads. After testing an all-terrain track chair, he rediscovered the freedom of the outdoors and knew he had to share it with his community. That vision led to Accessible Off-Road, which is already working in partnership with California State Parks and Los Angeles County Parks to launch adaptive hiking programs in Southern California. Austin’s leadership, featured by outlets like the LA Times and CBS News, combines technical expertise with lived experience to drive a powerful movement: ensuring that everyone belongs outdoors. lines. Otherwise, multiple copies of the form will appear. –>