09-23-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Trails and the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT- index of articles, projects, and .. Page 1 of 4 Thank you for visiting the American Trails website: http://www.AmericanTraUs.org -- back to main resources directory Resources and Library ACCESSIBLE TRAILS and RECREATION Updated March 15, 2002 NEWS • March 14,2002 — The U.S. Access Board voted unanimously to approve the recreation facilities accessibility guidelines . The recreation facilities guidelines address: Recreation facilities including sports facilities and swimming pools, Places of Amusement, Golf, Boating and Fishing. Accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation environments including trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and beaches are still under development by the Access Board. • The Access Board held an information meeting Oct. 4,2001 on Outdoor Developed Areas in Denver. Peggy Greenwell, Access Board staff, discussed the Regulatory Negotiation Committee report. T. Destry Jarvis, Executive Director of the National Recreation & Park Assoc, expressed the hope that local park and recreation providers will do more to accommodate persons with disabilities. The Board listened to comments by the public and Committee members on concerns about the allowed exeptions, handrails, edge protection, and ensuring that volunteers will be able to be used on new accessible trails. Staff noted that no one else in the world has attempted to create rules for trails, campgrounds, and beaches. The trail-related regulations are expected to be released after the final rule for recreation facilities (in process since 1993) and the update of ADAAG (buildings and facilities— in process since 1996). A deadline was e.xpressly not given, but it seems likely that it could be years before a final rule for trails, beaches, campgrounds, and picnic areas is released. • NPS Aljpcatcs_$5 Million to Enhance Accessibility in the Parks • New York legal settlemen t will improve access for persons with disabilities to state Forest Preserves TRAINING • Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) Training in several Ications natiomwide. - The UTAP training session on how to better assess and maintain your t.’ail for accessibility. See the American Trails calendar for dates, locations and contacts^ For more on training opportunities for trails design and development, see the National Trails Trainin g Partnership area. • The National Center on Accessibility will offer a special workshop on access to trails in Emeryville, California on October 30-31,2001 - Contact: National Center on Accessibility at (812) 856-4422 (voice) or (812) 856-4421 (TTY). • For more on skill development and education opportunities, see the Nation^ Trails http://www.americantrails.org/resouices/accessible/8/28/2002