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Interpretive Specialists Head to Smithsonian Institution for NCA Training

Interpretive Specialists Converge on Washington D.C.

More than 40 interpretive specialists from around the country converged on Washington D.C. last month for the NCA training course "A Universal Approach to Interpretive Planning, Programs, and Design." Presentations were made by some of the leading experts for interpretive access including Beth Ziebarth, Accessibility Program Manager for the Smithsonian Institution; Betty Siegel, Manager of Accessibility at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; Kori Chisham, Visitor Services Manager for the National Air and Space Museum; and Michelle Hartley, Interpretive Media Specialist for the National Park Service Harpers Ferry Center. Participants were able to take their classroom knowledge to the field with hands-on exercises at the National Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum on the campus of the Smithsonian Institution. Participants also got a behind-the-scenes tour of the accessibility improvements made at the International Spy Museum as hosted by Anna Slafer, Director of Exhibitions and Programs, and Jacqueline Eyl, Director of Youth Education. The 4-1/2 day training course received rave reviews. Said one participant, "This was among the best courses I've taken in 20 years of professional development. The quality of the presenters, the diverse field trips, and the variety of participants really made it. I'm leaving highly motivated to advocate for change [at my museum]."

Check out the  NCA Facebook page for photo highlights from the week. NCA will host the training "Accessibility Management in Parks, Recreation and Tourism" at Indiana University-Bloomington, June 17-21.

Photo above: Participants from the NCA training "A Universal Approach to Interpretive Planning, Programs and Design" meet outside the entrance of the Star Spangled Banner exhibit at the American History Museum to discuss accessibility features and make recommendations for improvements.

Register Early for Accessibility Management

Early Registration Discount Expires April 19

A comprehensive accessibility management program is the key to success for park and recreation agencies. The NCA training course "Accessibility Management in Parks, Recreation and Tourism" is scheduled for June 17-21 on the Indiana University-Bloomington campus. This NCA training course is designed to give accessibility coordinators in parks and recreation a broad perspective and foundation for implementing an accessibility management program. This course is ideal for professionals with newly appointed responsibilities and for those looking to brush up on the latest information for accessibility compliance. Sessions will include discussions of the characteristics and needs of people with disabilities, legislative mandates and litigation, accessibility standards and common errors, the application of universal design to park and recreation environments, program access, considerations for conducting accessibility assessments, visitor use and marketing, and comprehensive planning. Examples and best practices in accessibility management will be presented throughout the sessions. A field exercise will give participants an opportunity to practice conducting an accessibility assessment along with discussing considerations for prioritization of physical and programmatic barrier removal. Course info >

International Trails Symposium

NCA Staff Readies for April Trails Conference

Are you headed to Arizona for the International Trails Symposium in April?  If so, be sure to look for NCA Accessibility Specialist, Nikki Montembeault.  She will be co-presenting a session on trail access Tuesday, April 16 from 1:15 to 5:15 p.m.  The session will begin with a review of the Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas by Bill Botten, Accessibility Specialist at the Access Board. Janet Zeller, National Accessibility Program Manager for the U.S. Forest Service will follow by providing an introduction to the USFS Accessibility Guidebook on Outdoor Recreation and Trails guidelines in addition to the successes and struggles of implementing the guidelines. The session will conclude with Nikki's presentation on accessible trail surfaces and a discussion of the findings from the National Trails Surface Study. 21st American Trails International Trails Symposium >

Southwest Florida Parks, Beaches Cater
to Persons with Disabilities

Waterfront Access Make Popular Destinations

FORT MEYERS, FL -- "We find (parks) have certain things like beach wheelchairs or special matting, and they just have not done a good job to publicize it," said Sherril York, Executive Director of the National Center on Accessibility. Facility directors sometimes say nobody uses the accommodations, but that's because the public doesn't know about them, she said Read more about facility managers making Florida beaches more accessible to people with disabilities in Laura Ruane's March 16 article in the Fort Meyers News Press >

ADA Pool Lift Rules Take Effect Quietly
Despite Concerns From Hotel Industry
ADA Update 

Reproduced with permission from Real Estate Law & Industry Report, 6 REAL 178 (Mar. 19, 2013). Copyright 2013 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033)

The final set of 2010 revisions to Americans With Disabilities Act regulations took effect quietly in January, with little apparent negative impact on the hotel sector, which had raised the most concerns about new rules requiring lifts to ease the use of swimming pools and spas. Jennifer Skulski, Director of Marketing for the National Center on Accessibility at Indiana University, told Bloomberg BNA, rules on recreational facilities have been under development since the mid-1990s, and the parties most affected by them have been states and municipal park and recreation agencies that operate playgrounds and parks. Read more of Richard Cowden's article in the March 19 issue of Real Estate Law & Industry Report (PDF) > 

The 2013 Reynold E. Carlson Lecture

presents

Author of the national bestseller:
Last Child in the Woods:
Saving Our Children from
Nature-Deficit Disorder

NCA Product Files: Discovery Pen

Lake Ledge's Discovery Pen Utilizes Technology to Provide Audio Description for Interpretive Signs

Just touch and listen. Lake Ledge's Discovery Pen utilizes technology to provide audio description for a variety of interpretive materials.  This handheld audio technology provides affordable and interactive audio description and audio interpretative tours. The Discovery Pen was developed by naturist, Julie Hein-Frank, out of Door County, Wisconsin.  Her desire to use technology to assist people with visual impairments to also become immersed in the story led her to the development.  Interpretive specialists can easily add audio description, languages, narrative, bird vocalization and more to new or existing exhibits, trails, maps and other materials. They can create and manage their own audio and content or ask Julie for support. Sites currently using the Discovery Pen include museums, zoos, botanical gardens, trails, and historical buildings.  For contact information on the Discovery Pen, visit the NCA Products Directory >