Fee System:  Under the existing fee system at R.I. State Beaches and Goddard Park golf course, you must obtain  an Annual or Lifetime Photo ID prior to the fee exemption.

Obtaining a Disability Pass

Disability passes are issued only at the Johnston office located at 2321 HARTFORD AVE , JOHNSTON , RI , 02919. The office hours are: 8:30am – 4:00pm Monday- Friday, closed on holidays. Starting April 5, 2010, the Division of Parks and Recreation will begin issuing Annual Disability, and Lifetime Disability ID's.You must present a valid form of photo identification or a birth certificate for children. The person who is disabled must appear in person to obtain a disability pass. We encourage everyone to call the Johnston office before your visit. The telephone number is 401-222-2632.

First Time Disability Pass:

You must present on an original letterhead, a  form from the Social security office stating the following:

1)    Your full name and address.
2)    The current year.   
3)    That you are receiving monthly disability benefits.
4)    The form must be signed by an authorized social security representative.
                             ***NOTE: this pass is required to be renewed each year.***

To renew this pass:

you must present your current year NEW BENEFIT AMOUNT LETTER or on an original letterhead, a  form from the Social security office stating the following:

1)    Your full name and address
2)    The current year.   
3)    That you are receiving monthly disability benefits.
4)    The form must be signed by an authorized social security representative.

Disabled OVER 65 YEARS OLD:

 if you wish to obtain a Disability Pass for the first time, you must present on an original letterhead, a form from the Social security office stating the following:

1)    Your full name and address
2)    The current year.
3)    That you WERE receiving monthly disability benefits before the age of 65.
4)    The form must be signed by an authorized social security representative.

***NOTE: For this pass you must have been receiving social security disability benefits prior to turning 65. Also you will be receiving a life time pass.***

Disabled VETERANS:

If you wish to obtain a Disability Pass for the first time, you must present on an original letterhead, a form from the Veterans Administration stating the following:

1)    Your full name and address
2)    The current year.
3)    That you are 100% disabled service connected.
4)    The form must be signed by an authorized representative of the Veterans Administration.

*NOTE: for a veteran disability pass you must be 100% disabled from a service connected injury. this pass is required to be renewed each year unless you are no longer going to be reevaluated.***

To renew this pass:

You must present on an original letterhead, a form from the Veterans Administration stating the following:

1)    Your full name and address
2)    The current year.
3)    That you are 100% disabled service connected.
4)    The form must be signed by an authorized representative of the Veterans Administration.

SSI RECIPIENTS:

If you wish to obtain a Disability Pass for the FIRST TIME, you must present on an original letterhead, a form from the Social security office stating the following:

1) Your full name and address
2) The current year.
3) That you are receiving SSI benefits.
4) The form must be signed by an authorized social security representative.

***NOTE: This pass is required to be renewed each year.***

To renew this pass:

You must present on an original letterhead, a form from the Social security office stating the following:

1) Your full name and address
2) The current year.
3) That you are receiving SSI benefits.
4) The form must be signed by an authorized social security representative.

Questions? Additional Information, Special Considerations & Locations:  If you have additional questions or feel your situation needs to be clarified, please call us at: 401-222-2632 or use this link, Email, to contact us.

Directions from Providence to the Johnston office: From 95 North or South take Route 10 connector South [near Civic Center] to State 195 West to the 295 North on ramp, take exit 6 and at the bottom of the ramp turn right on Rt. 6 heading West for 1.2 miles. Our office is on the right.

Goddard Park Golf Course Exemption:

R.I. Law 32-1-20: Any veteran who is a resident of the state, and who is shall be determined under applicable federal law by the Veteran's Administration of the United States of America to be totally disabled through service connected disability shall be exempt from paying any fee to play golf at the Goddard Park Golf Course. (32-1-17 Disability Social Security also applies).

Further information can be obtained regarding this exemption by calling the Clubhouse at Goddard Memorial State Park from April 1st through the 3rd Saturday in November at (401) 884-9834 or year round at Division Headquarters at (401) 222-2632.

Handicap-License Plates:

Handicap-Assisted Surf Chairs: 

All terrain Handicap Surf Chairs:

On a first come, first serve basis, chairs are available free of charge at the following R.I. state beach locations; Scarborough North, Scarborough South, and Roger wheeler.

  Recreational Hand Cycle:

[On the East Bay Bike Path, driven by Robert B. Keaveney]

On a first come, first serve basis, two hand cycles are available at Colt State Park for use through out the park or for the East Bay Bike path.

Handicap-Accessible Boat Ramp at Colt State Park:

The Department of Environmental Management with the help of the Governor's Commission on Disabilities has reconstructed the boat ramp at Colt State Park that allows easy access to recreation services by people with physical limitations. This facility includes a non-slip metal dock with multiple landings that allow boaters with disabilities and others to easily board their boats regardless of the level of the tide. Each dock is purposely configured to be submerged at different stages of the tide, with a good portion of it flooded at high tide. The design, in effect, allows the water to come to the boater, giving easy access to vessels at all times. For other information about Colt Park click Here!

Handicap-Accessible Boat Ramp at Haines State Park:

On June 19, 2000, the Department of Environmental Management, Governor's Commission on Disabilities, the City of East Providence and the US Fish and Wildlife Service has dedicated a new handicap-accessible boat ramp and parking lot at Haines Memorial State Park in East Providence. The facility features a 60-foot wide concrete ramp. Two floating courtesy docks, one 8 feet wide that is handicap-accessible and another measuring 6 feet wide have been constructed on either side of the ramp. Adjacent to the boat ramp is a new paved parking area with 67 vehicles/trailer parking spaces and 12 vehicle-only parking spaces. The parking lot also includes a drainage and storm water treatment unit that will remove 80 percent of solids such as sand and gravel from storm water entering Bullocks Cove from the lot. In addition, a separator will remove oil and grease from the storm water. For other information about Haines State Park, click Here.