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Parks and Recreation Spaces and Places

Inclusive Universal Design…

Why MUST we make our parks inclusive and universally accessible…??

What does the law require?ADA says…– ifyoubuilditneworalteritmakeitaccessible– removeexistingbarrierstoallactivities,programs,servicesandfacilities

– make“it”accessibletoanduseablebypeoplewithdisabilities

– inthemostintegratedwaypossible– Where doyougettherules?www.Access-Board.gov– Tip:Downloadthemtoyourharddriveanditmakesitmucheasiertosearch!

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How do I know what’s accessible… and what’s not?

Cindy’sCheerleadingMovesofAccessibility!

Understandingtheminimums…– Clearwidth (36”min.)– Headclearance (80”high&aswideastheroute)– Clearspace (36”X48”min.)– Maneuveringspace (60”X60”min.)– Surfaces (¼”max.change, slopesless than5%,f irmandstable)– Transferable (17”-19”withtransfersupports)– Kneeclearance (27”hX30”wX25”d)– Reachrange (48”max.high/15”min.low)– Onehanded (nopinchortwist) – Viewing (clearfrom32”-51”)

Understanding the minimums will help you do better!

ü Cindy’s "cheerleading moves of accessibility" will help you tolook atyour parks and recreation environments witha newunderstanding of universal accessibility.

ü Learn tothinkabout access froma usability perspective and toidentify barriers thatget inthe way of fullinclusiveparticipation bypeople withdisabilities.

ü Then learn howtomake thoughtfulchoices toremove existingbarriers andtomake accessibility a forethought, rather thananafterthought inall planning, design & constructionso youmake all yourpark and recreation environments easier touseby everyone together.

If you build it they will come...

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Talking Wheelchair Blues…

The US Access Board...– ADA Accessibility Guidelines

– Regulatory Negotiations

– final reports– public comment...

– proposed rules– public comment...

– final rules– doit!

– Inthe absence ofafinal rule… just do it!

Photo Barr ier ADAAG RecommendationThe informational sign next to the parking lot is not accessible due to its location adjacent to the curb.The pamphlet dispenser is located above the maximum reach range threshold.

403303305703308

The sign should be relocated adjacent to an accessible route with the required clear space and surfacing.The pamphlet dispenser should be remounted so the highest operable part is located 48” above grade.

By Whom Plan and Projected Cost

Projected Date

Action TakenDate & Photo Documentation

ADASelfEvaluationandTransitionPlanning

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Compliance with the ADA means…

You’ve decided…

todotheworst that isallowed bylaw tocreateaccessibility…L

Committing to the Principles of Universal Design means…

– You’vedecided…– todobetter thantheminimumrequirementsoftheADAandcreategreater inclusiveaccessibilityforallpeopleofallabilities, soeveryonecanparticipateandenjoythesamequalityrecreationexperiencestogetherJ!

What are the principles of universal design?– EquitableUse: thedesign isuseful&marketable topeoplewithdiverseabilities

– Flexibility inUse: thedesign accommodatesawiderange of individualpreferencesandabilities

– Simple andIntuitiveUse: useof thedesigniseasy tounderstandregardlessof theuser’sexperience, knowledge,language skills orcurrentconcentrationlevel

– PerceptibleInformation:thedesigncommunicatesnecessaryinformationeffectivelytotheuser,regardlessof ambientconditionsortheuserssensoryabilities

– Tolerance of Error:thedesignminimizeshazardsandtheadverseconsequencesof accidental orunintendedactions

– LowPhysicalEffort:thedesigncanbeusedeff icientlyandcomfortablyandwithaminimumof fatigue

– Size &Space forApproach&Use: appropriatesizeandspaceisprovidedforapproach,reach,manipulation,anduseregardlessof user'sbodysize,postureormobility

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Inclusive Universal Design concepts to consider…

– Easier tousebyeveryone together…– Allpeopleof all abilities…– Allages…– Allskills…

– Independentuse…– Safe…– Intuitive…

Trails, nature trail, walkway, pathway, etc.

• widerwidthsotwopeoplecanwalksidebysideorpeoplecanpass

• unitarysurfacelike concrete,boardwalkorasphalt,orcrushedaggregate/screenings thathavebeen“stabilized”ornaturalsoilsenhancedwithsoilstabilizers

• contrastingcolortreatmentof thesurfaceandtexturedsurfacetreatmentssuchasbrushedconcreteatintersectionsorinterpretivestationstocuepeoplewhohavevisionimpairmentsthatthereissomethingtopayattentiontoatthatspot

• closetolevel crossslopes(sidetoside) andverygentlerunningslopes,nosteepsections,larger (greaterthan60”X60”) levelareasatall turnsandintersections

• thoughtfullylaidoutonthesitetomaximizetheexperiencewithminimal dif f iculty

• and…???

Picnic areas and elements:pavilions, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, water pumps, etc.

q allaccess ible des ign elements , alltables , grills , fire rings , waterpumps, etc.

q alllocated on access ibleroutesq level routes onto pavilions with

no changes oflevel from path topavilion surface

q wider routes &clear space withfirm surface around allelements sosomeone with mobility limits caneas ily move around theelement (table, grill, etc.)

q avariety oftable s tyles ,some withclear s itting space onthe s ide,somewith extended table tops onthe end

q clear spaceall around each element sopeople canapproach and use the grill,fire ring, etc. from the front, back andeither s ide

q grills youcan lower/raise the cookingsurface with one hand

q raised fire building surfaces soyou canplace wood without learning too farover from as tanding or seated pos ition

q and…???

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Fishing Docks and Piers…

– all loweredrailsallthewayaroundsoeveryonecanfishfromanywhereornorailsatall withonlyanedgetreatmenttopreventrolloff

– sittingbenchesscatteredaboutsoanglerscanchoosetositorstandtofish– tackle boxstandsnexttoonebenchend(notboth)leavingoneendclear

spaceforsittingsidebysidewithsomeoneinawheelchair– a varietyoff ishlandingcutawaysstrategically placed– varietyofopportunitiesover-waterfishing/shorefishing/in-waterfishing

stations– and…???

Playgrounds… q ramps and transfersq has both ramp and transfer access to

allplay components q ramps to every “getting on spot” or

“s it/ s tand &do itspot” of every playcomponent

q transfer system from the ground up tothe main deck located near the exits ofs lides and climbers furthest from theramp onto the s tructure

q only unitary safety surface such as poured-in-place or rubber tiles NOTany loosefill materials likes shreddedrubber, wood chips or engineeredwood fiber or anyother non-unitarysurface material

q on decktransfer platform atthe entrypoint ofevery s lide

q ondecktransfer platform with oneopentransfer s ideand ones idew/ transfers teps to everyentry/exit point of everyclimber sokids climbing“up”canbumpdown tothe deckto moveto anothercomponent, as theymayhave leftanass is tivedeviceatthe ground

q agood varietyof things to manipulatethat makenoise ormus ic,havehighcontrast/bright colors ,games that thattwo kids canplay(this fosters socialinteraction) Braille ands ignlanguagepanels to teachawareness ,easytooperate with justone hand withawholefis t(doesn’t requires tight/pinch/grasp/wris t twis t tooperate)

q different highcontrast colors for decks vstransfers sokids withlowvis ioncanperceive achangeinlevel

q playpanels are locatedat heights theycanbeusedfrom aseatedpos ition ors tanding

Boardwalks…wetland and water access

– wider widthso two peoplecanwalksidebysideorpeople canpass

– edgetreatment topreventroll/step off– if side rails… all lowered foreasyviewing

– interpretive information inavarietyofalternative formatssuchasauditory,largeprint,Braille,pictures,etc.

– and…???

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Sports fields/courts:Fields… soccer, football, baseball, etc.Courts… tennis, basketball, Boccia, horseshoes, etc.

Other… skate parks, Frisbee golf, etc.v routestobothsidesof allf ields

andall courts,notjustendzonesv accessible seatingspaces both

groundlevelandelevated if risers/bleachers areprovided

v accessible seatingspaces scatteredthroughoutallviewingareasandlevels withcompanionseatingonbothsidesof thespace&inthedugout!!

v all loweredservice windowsatallconcessionareas

v widergateopeningsintocourtareas(tennis,Boccia,b-ball) andskateparkstoaccommodatewidersportswheelchairs

v routestobothhorseshoepitsandalongbothsidesoftheroutebetweenpits

v level routesontoBocciacourtswithsittingbenchesatbothends

v atleastoneaccessibleroutetoeachFrisbeegolf hole&tothenexttee&all basketsatretrievablereachranges

Campgrounds…• all sites andamenities• accessible surface onall sites• larger spaces toaccommodate side lif tsoncampers

and vehicles• accessible tables, grills, andf ire rings onall sites• centrally located restrooms oneasy routes fromeach

site• single user/unisex accessible shower/toilet rooms• accessible routestoall park amenities and

recreational experiences• and…???

Canoe/kayak launch sites…q widerroutesosomeonecanhandwheelvesselondollytolaunch

pullingvessel nexttothemif theyuseawheelchair ortwopersoncarrydown

q accessible surfacetowatersedgeandintowateratlaunchq moregentle slopesforeasierentryandexitwhenhandwheelinga

boatq sometypeof launchsystemtostabilizevessel ata transferable

heightthensometypeof designfeature/mechanism/rollersystemtohelpmovevessel, whileseated intheboat,intothewater

q somemeans of transferassistancesuchasgrabbars,slideboardsosomeonecanslide overandpositiontheirbodyoverthecenterof theboatforabalancedentrance/exit

q sometypeof pullrailstohelppullboatoutof waterbackontothelaunchtoexit/transferout.

q Allaccessible launchsiteamenities suchaskayak storagelock-boxes,restrooms,car/boattrailerparking,picnictables& potablewater.

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So…how does an universally accessible launch work??

Boat launch dock…

q if thereisadock,provideatransfersystemonthedocksosomeonecanbumpdowntobeseatedonthedocktotransferovertoaboatinthewater

q shorestationwithaplatform(insteadof“V”rack) withatransfersystemonthedeckof theshorestation,locatednexttoadocksosomeonecouldroll/getontheplatformandlowerittotherightleveltotransferintoaboat

q Allaccessiblelaunchsiteamenitiessuchascar/boattrailerparking,restrooms,picnictables&potablewater.

q and…???

Beaches…• routesoverthebeachandinto thewater, canbe

portable/temporarymattingordockingif itneeds tobetakeninandoutforbeachcleaning/draggingor intheoff season

• wideenough forsidebysidewalking/passing• atbeachrouteendhavea“hangingout”areaatthe

watersedgelargeenough togetofftherouteend• atransfer systematthewatersedgesopeoplecan

getdownto theground levelandout into thewater• and…???

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Archery ranges…ØallstationsØroutetoretrieval area foreachtargetØtargets usablewithcrossbowsalsoØarrowbackstoptolimitretrievaldistanceØlarger maneuveringspacestoaccommodatearcherswithshootingassistants

Øequipmentstandsataccessibleheightsateachstation

Øand…???

Skiing/sledding hill… • accessible routeto top (nosteps)maybeusingarope tow

liftwith the“magiccarpet”(it’s“carpet/mat”typethingyougeton inyoursled orsit/stand onand itpulls thematup thehill withyouon it)

• level surfaceforsledmountingathill top• if staffed,provideATV transportorhavepolicy that

allows personalATVuse• transferathill top&bottomtohelpbumptransferdown

tosled andbumpbackupintochair/walker• and…???

Nature center…o all interpretive information inavarietyofalternativeformatssuchasauditory, largeprint,Braille, pictures, etc.

o creativeuseoftechnologysuchasI-Pods forauditorydescriptions (thisgives theinfo.directly tothe individual)closed loopassistive listeningdevicesandclosedcircuitcaptioningofall interpretivepresentations

o alldisplaysat loweredheights forsitting orstandingviewing

o alloperatingmechanismsthatareoperablewithonehandanddonot require tight/pinch/grasp/wrist twist tooperate

o and….???

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Camping Cabins and Yurts…• larger clear space andmaneuvering spaces in

between all furnishings including whenall are inuse (beds, tables/chairs withpeople seated atthe table, shelves withinlowered reach ranges,lowered wall hooks, etc.)

• larger clear space thoughtfully located fortypicalportable items suchas coolers, luggage,equipment/food bins/tubs, etc.

• ramps notsteps• wide perimeter decking• all accessible site amenities, tables, grills, f ire

rings, restrooms, etc.• and…???

Dog Parks…– widergates toaccommodatesomeoneinalargeroutdoor wheelchair(or someonepushinga

s troller…)– onehandoperable latchmechanismlocatedataheightthatis eas ilyreachablefromaseatedpos ition

– wideraccess ibleperimeterpaths aroundalldogrunareas withcurbcuts orleveltrans itions intotherunarea fordoggie-docleanup

– doggie-doclean-updispensers reachablefromaseatedors tandingpos itionandbykids!

– access ibledes igntrashcontainers locatedawayfromtables andbenches ontherouteoutofthefacility

– access ibleclearspaceonbothends ofallbenches– allaccess iblepicnictables ,locatedonaccessiblesurfacewithlargeclearspaceallaround

– shadedareawithaccess ibles ittingspaceconnectedtoaccess ibleperimeterroute– access iblewatersourceforowners andpets witheasyone-handedoperatingmechanismlocatedat

aneasytoreachheightfromaseatedors tandingpos ition(andreachablebykids too!)– and…??

Restrooms… • more than theminimum number• multiple unisex/single user toilet rooms/units soopposite sex

care givers can assist, also goodforparents of young childrenof the oppositesex sokids aren’t sentalone intothe multi userrestroom

• thoughtfully located near areas of activity such as play areas,beaches, f ishing piers, etc.

• all port-a- johnsaccessible design units,again big enough forindividual use orcare giver assist and also good forfamilieswithyoung children whoneed assistance ina port-a- john

• and…???

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Parking…• morethanminimum number ofspots• eachconnected directlytoanaccessible

routetotheparkelementsandNOTintothetrafficflow

• thoughtfullylocatednearesttheactivityentrance(some nearthebeach,someneartheplayground,somenearthebathhouse, etc.)

Innovativeuniversallyaccessibledesignproject!

And when we don’t pay attention…

Thingscan goterriblywronginsomanyways…

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What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with this picture?

What’s wrong with this picture?

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What’s wrong with this picture?

When should you think about inclusive universal access?– BEFORE…

– Every time youaregoingtomake achange…repair, replacement,addition,renovationetc.

– Every time youBEGINtodevelopanidea orplanforanewfacilityorprogram…

– Every time youlookatdesignplansfromconceptualdrawings,bidspecif ications,constructiondrawings,etc.

– Every time youtrainanystaff aboutanything…

– AND…???

What can you commit to do?– Evaluate whatyouhave& identifythebarriers

– Make a plantoremovethosebarriers

– Thendoit!Removethebarriers

– Requireaccessible & universaldesigns

– Onlybuyaccessible “stuff”

– Use Cindy’scheerleading movesof accessibility tovisualizeaccessible spaces

– Alwaysmake accessibility afor-thoughtnotandafter-thought

– Remember… goodaccessible universaldesign makes iteasier tousebyeveryone!

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When Wounded Warriors Return Home…

theycontinuetoserveintheircommunity.

UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEEUSParalympics Military Program

Who are the Wounded Warriors you will serve? – What types ofdisability characteristics doyouthink theywill have?

– How doyou think their disability will affecttheirabilities toparticipate in recreation?

– What doyou think their recreation interests willbe?

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What does it look like when it’s done well?

Ok, now…

– Howdoyouthinkthiswilleffectwhatrecreationactivitiesyouprovide?

– Howdoyouthinkthiswilleffectwhereyouprovidethoseopportunities?

Welcoming Wounded Warriors Home…

– make thecommitment– show it inyourword anddeed– use inclusive images, real ServiceMembers doing “it”– speak in respectful andwelcoming language…everyone,together, all abilities, welcome…

– just sayyes… yeswecan!– figure itout– value everyone’s difference– remember it’s aright! and…– it’s the right thing todo!

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What else do you need?

– Whattraining,technicalassistance,resources,etc.doyouthinkyoustillneedinordertosuccessfullyincludeanyreturningwoundedwarrior?

– facilityaccessibility– activityadaptation– customerservice– marketing– communication– (dis)abilityawareness– inclusionprocess– and…

Your new legislation Connect NC Bondand the resources it brings…

$3 million children & Veterans with disabilities

$409 million for parks!

What’s itall about &what canyou do withthose resources to make your parks moreinclus ive and universally access ible?

KeymakersSome people see a closed door…

and turn away.

Others see a closed door,try the knob

if it doesn’t open…then they turn away.

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Still others see a closed door,try the knob,

if it doesn't open,they find a key,

if the key doesn't fit...they turn away.

A rare few see a closed door,try the knob,

if it doesn’t open,they find a key,

if the key doesn’t fit…they make one!

Be a Keymaker!

CindyBurkhour,MACTRS,CPRP

AccessRecreationGroup@juno .com

616-560-2378