Maria Pendolino
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Carle Monique

7 Tips for Making Camping Accessible for People with Disabilities

October 25, 2024 by Carle Monique

Maria Pendolino is an award-winning voiceover actor and outdoor RV-ing enthusiast who has found a way to make camping more accessible despite living with psoriatic arthritis. When she’s done voicing commercials, promos, and documentaries in her voiceover booth, she enjoys visiting state and national parks with her husband Eric and her nieces and nephews. Whether you call it camping or glamping the outdoors *can* be accessible to everyone with just a little research, support, and effort.

Here are Maria’s top seven tips for making outdoor adventures accessible and enjoyable for everyone, especially people with disabilities.

 

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1. Choose the Right RV or Tent Layout

Look for an RV or tent setup that prioritizes accessibility, or that is more customizable. Opt for models with wider doorways, existing ramps/ramp add-ons, and easy-to-access sleeping areas. Many RVs, like those by Thor Motorcoach, can be customized to suit your needs. Speak with a sales rep at a local RV dealership about what might be possible both before and after purchase.

2. Rent Before You Buy

Motorhome parked

If you’re new to camping or RV travel, consider renting equipment for your first trip to ensure that the layout and features accommodate your specific needs and disabilities. Renting allows you to test different setups to find the one that best supports your comfort and accessibility needs, making for a more enjoyable and stress-free outdoor adventure. It’s amazing how many different configurations there are for both RVs and tents/accessories. Try before you buy is a great way to make sure that you’re not left with an expensive purchase that you’re unable to use to the fullest.

3. Customize for Comfort

Consider adding modifications like handrails, person lifts, or even bidets in RVs for added comfort, hygiene, and mobility ease. Again, there may be more options than you think! Also, for RV users, be sure to test out the restroom facilities before purchasing a unit. Some RVs have a full 3 piece bathroom, others have a water closet for the toilet, with shower and sink separate. Depending on your needs and range of motion, one may be more preferable for you over another!

4. Opt for Accessible Campsites

Guy sitting on a motorized wheelchair going through a parkLook for campgrounds that offer designated accessible sites with amenities like paved pathways, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and picnic tables designed for ease of use. To make sure the campground truly meets your needs, consider contacting the local park ranger office or checking user-submitted photos and reviews, as they can provide valuable insights into the site’s accessibility features. (Google Maps has a lot of mobility-specific feedback that you can search!) This extra research can help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience. Also, keep an eye on improvements that are being made over time, especially as county, state, and national parks continue to make improvements and complete renovations.

5. Pack Essential Mobility Aids

Ensure your trip is comfortable by packing essential aids like folding cots, portable ramps, or supportive seating to enhance accessibility at your campsite. If you end up purchasing your own RV unit or tent & camping kit, you may find it’s easiest to just duplicate your favorite aids from home.

6. Plan for Accessible Outdoor Activities

Beach walk with a Wheelchair

Many parks provide accessible recreational options, including beach and water wheelchairs or beach mats designed for wheeled devices and easier walking. These amenities make it easier for everyone to enjoy the natural surroundings fully. Be sure to call ahead to confirm the availability of these options, as they may be limited or require advance reservations. As an example, check out the awesome Mobi Mat that is installed at Hamlin Beach State Park outside of Rochester, New York.

7. Prioritize Comfort During Sleep

For tent camping, using a folding cot with an air mattress can improve sleep quality and make it easier to get in and out of bed, especially for those with mobility issues. For RV users, be sure to test out different bed height configurations and layouts. Sometimes beds are tucked into corners in units that make it difficult for those with mobility challenges to get in and out of.

A Message for RV Manufacturers:

Engineer fixing a Wheelchair

When designing accessible RVs, talk directly to disabled individuals about what they need, rather than assuming. Understanding the real challenges disabled campers face can improve design and functionality. Maria loves her Thor Motorcoach “Vegas” RV, which has made her outdoor adventures accessible and enjoyable, but there’s always room for improvement in making RVs even more adaptable for all.

Filed Under: Disability

Maria Pendolino and Technoableism

July 27, 2024 by Carle Monique

Disabled Voice Actor, Maria Pendolino, receives glowing reviews for her disability-related narrationRecently, Maria Pendolino received glowing feedback from Audiofile for her narration of Dr. Ashley Shew’s collection of essays Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement, which is available on Audible. The review highlighted Maria’s skill in delivering the technical descriptions and capturing the emotional heart of Shew’s ideas. Her clear and direct narration helped listeners gain a better understanding of new concepts about technology and disability studies.

Journey in Voice Acting

Internationally recognized and award-winning, Maria Pendolino has a signature voice print that has been heard across commercials, promos, documentaries, trailers, narration, animation, video games, telephone systems, radio imaging, e-learning courses, explainer videos, and more. Her youthful tone and delivery resonate with Millennial and Gen Z audiences, the dominant population of the coveted 18-49 demographic.

A performer from a young age, Maria caught the acting bug when she auditioned for a local community production of The Sound of Music at age 11. Her professional career began in New York City, where she worked in musical theatre, television, and film. Audiences may recognize her from Lifetime’s hit drama ARMY WIVES, where she played the moody army wife, Mary Ann. Additionally, she appeared in an episode of LOCKED UP ABROAD for the National Geographic channel and acted opposite Bollywood superstar Sridevi in ENGLISH VINGLISH, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Transitioning to voiceovers in 2010, Maria booked her first spot for a local university in her hometown of Buffalo, NY. Since then, she has recorded thousands of spots, narrations, and projects for clients worldwide.

Championing Inclusivity and Disability Awareness

Disabled Voice Actors logoAfter moving to New York to pursue her acting career, Maria was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, prompting a significant shift in her career and lifestyle. Leveraging her platform, she collaborated with other disabled colleagues to create a database that links disabled actors with directors seeking to cast them in roles. As a disabled voice actor, Maria’s journey is a testament to resilience and talent. She uses her platform to advocate for inclusivity and better representation of disabled individuals in media. Her unique perspective enriches her work, making her a sought-after voice in the industry.

Expanding Horizons

In addition to voice acting, Maria loves writing and comedy. She has performed stand-up comedy at Helium Comedy Club and is currently working on her first adult animated comedy pilot. As a commercial voiceover talent, her voice has been featured in campaigns for global brands like Comcast/Xfinity, Dannon, American Express, Hoover, and Panera. You can hear her voice on broadcast & cable television commercials, radio spots, streaming ads on Pandora & Spotify, and pre-roll ads on YouTube, Hulu, and Pluto TV.

In the world of narration, Maria has worked on a variety of documentaries, covering topics from pop culture to true crime. Her corporate work includes narrating business training programs, explainers, how-to videos, and tutorials for software and apps. Her ability to make complex information understandable and approachable is a testament to her versatility.

Animation and Video Games

Bringing characters to life in animation and video games, Maria is a master of accents and vocal placement, capable of performing like a vocal chameleon. She plays the lead character, Prim, in the Prim Adventure Game released in 2022. Her “north star” voiceover goal is to originate a singing animated villain in the style of Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid.

Recognition and Awards

Maria Pendolino receiving an award. Honored to be the telephone system voice for businesses of all sizes, Maria brings a friendly and relatable tone to messages and prompts, keeping customers engaged and informed.

A proud member of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – Buffalo/Niagara Chapter, the Buffalo chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), and the Buffalo Broadcasters Association, Maria has also served on the board of Alleyway Theatre, and as a member of the Rising Champions for Justice with the Erie County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP).

A two-time Voice Arts Award winner, Maria has received numerous nominations and awards, including the coveted 40 Under 40 Award presented by Biz Journals. In 2021, she won two Reed Awards for excellence in political advertising and was nominated for three One Voice Awards.

Personal Life

Living in Buffalo, NY, with her husband Eric and their four rescue cats—Two Scoops, Mozzarella “Mozzie” Cheese, Nellie, and Panini—Maria enjoys a fulfilling personal life. As a fun fact, Maria and Eric appeared on an episode of HGTV’s hit show House Hunters.

Filed Under: Disability

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Maria Pendolino

VOICE BY MARIA

Recent Posts

  • 7 Tips for Making Camping Accessible for People with Disabilities
  • Maria Pendolino and Technoableism
  • NAVA Hosts Fundraising Gala With Maria Pendolino As A Virtual Keynote Speaker
  • USA Today’s Top 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs of 2023
  • Disabled Voice Actors Database

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Get in contact with Maria!

Thanks for visiting! I’d be delighted to voice your next project. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone if you’d like to work together.

Award winning female voice over actor Maria Pendolino
New York | Los Angeles
maria@voicebymaria.com
Management: ACM Talent
Agent: Stewart Talent (NY)
Agent: SBV (LA)
SourceConnect: mariapendolino
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  • 7 Tips for Making Camping Accessible for People with Disabilities
  • Maria Pendolino and Technoableism
  • NAVA Hosts Fundraising Gala With Maria Pendolino As A Virtual Keynote Speaker
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