|
|
|
Disability Group Settles with Park Service
To Improve Access at Golden Gate NRA
Settlement Marks First with Federal Land Management Agency
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) and the National Park Service have entered into a settlement agreement to improve access at one of the nation's largest parks, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The settlement agreement comes six years after the original class action lawsuit (pdf) was filed on behalf of people with mobility impairments and visual impairments.
The settlement agreement calls for a list of specific projects to be completed over the next seven years. Examples of projects include improvements to trail accessibility for wheelchair users at multiple park locations, improved beach access for wheelchair users and persons with vision impairments, tactile models and audio descriptions of certain exhibits, and the increased availability of park publications in alternate, accessible formats for persons with vision impairments. The projects will be required to be implemented regardless of cost except if certain unanticipated events occur: for example, if a particular project cost exceeds 25% of the currently anticipated cost for such project, an equivalent access project may be substituted. The settlement does not provide for accessibility enhancements at every facility and does not provide that every publication will be made available in an alternate format.
The National Center on Accessibility had begun work on four phases of physical and programmatic accessibility assessments well before the legal action ensued. NCA provided recommendations and 1,100 work orders for improvements at Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Crissy Field, Fort Mason and several other sites spread out across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. As a result of the NCA compilation of work orders, the Park was able to benefit from funding through the Recovery Act. "We are happy to see the good faith effort of the Park come to a mutual agreement with DRA. This case should serve as a wake up call to all public entities for the need to have completed an accessibility assessment and make it a working document for transition planning and project prioritization," said Dr. Sherril York, NCA Executive Director.
Under the terms of the settlement, the National Park Service agrees to pay $3.4 million in legal fees to the plaintiffs' counsel that have incurred since 2006 when the complaint was initiated. Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action Lawsuits (pdf). |
|
NCA Releases Trail Surface Study Results
Study Reveals Results of Soil Stabilization Products on Trails
 The National Center on Accessibility has released results of its research on trail surfaces. The study was sponsored by the Access Board. The project assessed the firmness and stability of 11 different types of natural aggregate and treated soil surfaces over a four-year period to determine their effectiveness after exposure to the elements, freeze and thaw cycles, and other factors.
Researchers created test trail segments that ranged in length from 30 to 200 feet at Bradford Woods, a 2,500 acre outdoor education and leadership center in Martinsville, Indiana. The study included three trail segments with a crushed limestone surface and eight with soil surfaces that were treated with organic or natural by-product stabilizers. The limestone surfaces involved different aggregate sizes (1/4" maximum, 3/4" maximum, and a combination of both in a dual layer) that were at least six inches deep and compacted to a rate of 90%. The other surfaces tested were created with stabilizers applied directly to the soil or mixed with an aggregate. The stabilizers tested included polyurethane, organic plant matter, two kinds of polymer, and four types of vinyl acetate copolymer applications. The Final Report will be available on the NCA web site in April. www.ncaonline.org >
|
|
Playground Owners Utilize NCA Study
of Play Surfaces in Planning New Sites
NCA Play Surface Study Offers Insights for Playground Owners
 Spring is a very busy time for public playground owners. They are often found planning new construction projects and conducting seasonal maintenance on existing sites. The National Center on Accessibility findings from its longitudinal study of play surfaces is recommended reading for all public playground owners and operators. The results reveal the importance of proper installation and regular maintenance. The project, which was conducted with funding from the Access Board, assessed the performance of different surfacing materials at 35 new playgrounds over a 3-5 year period. Surface materials tested include poured-in-place rubber, engineered wood fiber, rubber tiles, and hybrid surface systems. "The findings from this project, one of the most comprehensive studies of playgrounds surfacing to date, clearly demonstrate that proper installation and maintenance are critical for accessibility," states Jennifer Skulski, CPSI, the study's principal investigator. The full report is available through the NCA web site.
The archive of the Accessibility Online webinar on the study is available for playback on demand.
|
|
Job Opportunities
NPS Accessibility Program Manager
Salary Range: $106,263.00 - $138,136.00
Open Period: March 12, 2014 - April 14, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Department: Department of The Interior
Agency: National Park Service
Job Announcement Number:WO-DCKN-14-1040974-DE
This position is located in the Park Facility Management Division (PFMD). National Park Service (NPS), Washington, D.C., under the supervision of the Facility Management Officer. The incumbent serves as a Supervisory Accessibility Program Manager and Team Leader with responsibility for providing professional advice, technical direction, and overall management of the Service-wide Accessibility Management Program (AMP). The successful candidate will be responsible for developing initiatives, programs, policies and guidelines related to accessibility use. Serve as the principal National Park Service representative on all accessibility matters. Speak at national conferences and meetings with professional organizations on accessibility efforts and programs; lead or participate in task forces, workshops, clinics, and focus groups. Provides technical guidance and assistance to employees and Regional Points-of-Contact regarding programs within his/her area of specialization. Plan, assign, direct, prioritize, and review work and evaluate employee performance. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/363858500
|
|
DOJ Issues Revised Guidance Materials
Publications Clarify Regulations for Effective Communication and Mobility Devices
In the wake of the U.S. Department of Justice issuing revisions to the Title II and Title III regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the enforcement agency has issued new guidance materials. One new technical assistance document provides guidance on regulations regarding the use of wheelchairs and mobility aids, as well as other types of less-traditional powered mobility devices. A second publication provides guidance relating to communicating effectively with people who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities.
|
|
The National Center on Accessibility is a center of Indiana University's Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies within the School of Public Health. 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 |
|
|
