Texas water park for disabled takes accessible to next level

When the Morgan's Inspiration Island water park opens in San Antonio on Saturday, visitors won't find any wheelchair ramps at one of the park's main attractions -- the riverboat adventure, reports CNN.

Instead, the boats will rise to meet them, so guests with disabilities can avoid the trouble that often accompanies those with special needs at amusement parks.

That's the idea behind the world's first ultra-accessible water park, creator Gordon Hartman told CNN. The main goal: inclusion for those with and without disabilities.

"Children and adults who have special needs are sometimes left out, not because they want to be but because sometimes things are not always adequate for them to use," CNN reports quoting Hartman.

That's not the case at this $17 million tropical-themed park.

There are fast passes for those who have trouble waiting in line, private areas to transfer from one wheelchair to another, waterproof wristbands to help find those who tend to wander and quiet areas for those who may get overwhelmed by crowds.

The park even has a way to change the water temperature quickly for guests sensitive to cold water.

Working with the University of Pittsburgh, it has also developed a waterproof wheelchair that uses compressed air instead of batteries. It runs longer and weighs less, and guests with special needs can check them out for free.

Admission also is free for those with disabilities.

"It's not about the rides," Hartman said. "It's about the culture and the feeling people have in the park."