09-04-2002 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Trails and the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT- index of articles, projects, and .. Page 1 of4 Thank you for visiting the American Trails website: http://www.AmericanTrails.org — back to main.resources directory Resources and Library ACCESSIBLE TRAILS and RECREATION Updated March 15, 20U2 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 expressly 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 Allocates $5 Million to Enhance Accessibility in the Parks • New York legal settlement will improve access for persons with disabilities to state Forest Preser\ es TRAINING • Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) Training in several lcatior.> natiomwide. - The UTAP training session on how to better assess and iriaintain vour trail for accessibilitv. See the American Trails calendar for dates, locations and contacts. For more on training opportunities for trails design ana development, see the National Trails Training Partnership area. • The National Center on Accessibility will offer a special workshop on access to trails in Emeiy ville. California on October 30-31,2001 — Contact: National Center on Accessibility at (812) 856-4422 (voice) or (812) 856-4421 (TrY). • For more on skill development and education opportunities, see the Natio nal Trails http:.Vwww.americantrails.org/resources/accessible/8^28/2002