Accessexplained
Introduction
Access Explained is not an advocacy site, but a project I started to better understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how this civil rights act impacts those with disabilities. My fundamental research question is, “Where can I go?” This basic statement, I believe, is the primary question people with disabilities ask themselves every day in one form or another.
The Standard
The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessible Guidelines is a comprehensive set of standards that are part of a complex web of accessibility standards, drafts, and guidelines. The applicable standard one adheres to is dictated by that entity’s funding stream. As an example, if you are a contractor doing work for the the Department of Defense, you follow Department of Defense accessibility guidelines for that part of your business, but you may also need to comply with ADA Title III. Needless to say, it can and does become complicated.
Outdoor Developed Areas Focus
More than 100 major organizations support people with different types of disabilities. These organizations lobby and advocate for their constituents. I do not advocate but instead I consult with those who want more information on accessibility. My primary focus is to provide information on a specific type of access for outdoor developed areas. The guideline for this research is Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas, developed by the Access Board.
The pages linked to this site provide information on outdoor access including trails, beach access, Other Power Driven Mobility Devices, ferries, and general outdoor access. I provide information through pictures, videos, sourced documents, diagrams, and presentations I hope will assist those using and managing outdoor developed areas.
Now more than ever – in part because of the prevailing positive attitude of our national, state and local park managers and the availability of mobility devices – is a great time for those with disabilities to access outdoor developed areas.
