|
 Like us on facebook!
_________
Upcoming Events | |
October 16-18, 2012
Anaheim, CA
Webinar Archives
|
|
|
 |
|
Access Management Course Held in Denver
NCA Training Hosts Professionals from Around the U.S.
More than 40 professionals gathered in Denver last week for the National Center on Accessibility training course Accessibility Management in Parks and Recreation. This course is specially designed to give accessibility coordinators a broad perspective and foundation for implementing an accessibility management program. NCA instructors included Accessibility Specialists Michelle Cook and Alice Voigt; NCA Director of Education, Ray Bloomer; and NCA Executive Director Dr. Sherril York. Stuart McDonald, American Trails, made a guest presentation on use of other power driven mobility devices on recreation lands.
Participants had rave reviews for the course curriculum and instructors. Said one participant, "The field visits were eye-opening. We just renovated a historic house and if I knew then what I know now, we definitely would have done some things differently."
The next Accessibility Management course is tentatively scheduled for early summer 2013. Check out more photos from the training on our NCA facebook page. |
|
People with Disabilities Surveyed on Golf
 New Survey Aims to Look at Golf Interests Among People with Disabilities and Individuals who have Health ConcernsA number of important events have occurred in recent years such as the invention or improvement of assistive devices for use in golf; development of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines for recreation facilities including golf facilities; and an increase in the number of organizations promoting golf for persons with disabilities and health concerns.
While one might assume that facilitators to pursuing golf have increased and barriers may have decreased, there is a need to determine the level of participation in golf by persons with disabilities, and what helps or hinders one's interest in pursuing the game.
This research is being conducted by Dr. Sherril York and Jeffrey Chait at the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University. The study will be conducted using an on-line survey. People with disabilities and people who have health concerns are invited to participate in the online survey. Read more > |
|
IU to Establish School of Public Health
NCA Home in HPER Transforms for 21st Century
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs, has approved Indiana University's request to begin the accreditation process for a School of Public Health at IU Bloomington and one at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
The IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, currently named the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and home to the National Center on Accessibility, will have a rural community focus that will emphasize its strengths in social and behavioral health, environmental health sciences, epidemiology and community-based research and practice.
"This is a monumental time in the evolutionary history of our school. The School of Public Health-Bloomington, now with a broader mission, is committed to preventing disease and premature death, and promoting health, wellness and quality of life as well as reducing skyrocketing health care costs for our fellow citizens," said Mohammed Torabi, interim dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
NCA Executive Director, Dr Sherril York, commented on on the changes impact to NCA, "This is an exciting time for NCA to be part of the transition to the School of Public Health-Bloomington. For the past twenty years NCA has promoted accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in parks, recreation and tourism. We will now be able to expand our ability to impact the health, well-being and quality of life for people with disabilities through the broader arena of public health." Read more > |
|
Expanding an Appetite
Fishers (IN) child and family battles white blood cell disorder with the help of Parks and Recreation
 | | Devin makes an art project with other campers. |
Devin Hussey, 8, got to run and play with kids his own age for one of the first times in his very young life at Fishers Parks and Recreation's H2O Adventure Camp at Billericay Park during the last week of June. Devin has a disorder called Eosinophilic Esophagitis, which greatly limits his ability to have social interactions in all facets of his life. Read how the recreation specialists worked with Devin's mom to make accommodations in the program. Read more > |
|
July Marks ADA, Park & Rec Month
Bringing the Two Celebrations Together to Increase Awareness
July is a busy month of celebrations for disability advocates and recreation professionals. This July marks the 22nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, July is recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as Parks and Recreation Month. The two celebrations together in the same month offer a unique opportunity to increase awareness of accessible programs, services and facilities. Here are some suggestions for park and recreation agencies:
- Ask your governing board to adopt a resolution (re)committing to inclusion of people with disabilities in all facets of program participation and facility access.
- Update the accessibility information on your agency web site including new improvements, equipment, modifications and policies.
- Invite disability advocacy organizations to tour a facility that has recently undergone accessibility rennovations.
- Conduct a listening session / public meeting with organizations and individuals with disabilities seeking information where your agency should improve access and assert new priorities for access.
ADA Anniversary Toolkit. Park and Recreation Month Toolkit. |
|
DOJ Gives More Time for Existing Pools
Public Comment Leads to Extension for Existing Pools
On May 18, 2012, the US Department of Justice announced that it is adopting a final rule extending the compliance date for sections 242 and 1009 of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design, as they relate to the provision of accessible entry and exit to existing swimming pools, wading pools, and spas (pools built before March 15, 2012). These provisions for existing pools of Title II and Title III entities will now take effect on January 31, 2013.
The DOJ extension comes after several discussions with the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) earlier this year, a notice of proposed rulemaking and over 1,300 comments from the public. In addition to the extension, DOJ has issued a new guidance document Questions and Answers: Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations and revised the document from earlier this year ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools - Means of Entry and Exit. |
|
The National Center on Accessibility is a center of Indiana University's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies within the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Since 1992, NCA has played a critical role in increasing awareness of inclusion of people with disabilities in parks, recreation and tourism while advancing the spirit and intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act and other disability legislation. Through research, technical assistance and training, NCA builds a continuum of comprehensive services for park and recreation practitioners, focusing on universal design and practical solutions that create inclusive recreation opportunities for people of all abilities. NCA is funded in part by the National Park Service.
National Center on Accessibility | 501 North Morton Street, Suite 109, Bloomington, IN 47404-3732 | Voice: (812) 856-4422 | TTY: (812) 856-4421 | Fax: (812) 856-4480 | Copyright � 2012 The Trustees of Indiana University |
|
|
