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Community and Internet Resources


Recreation: Accessibility and the ADA



For information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Voice) 1-800-514-0301 or (TTY) 1-800-514-0383

National
Regional Listings: Great Lakes   
State Listings:   IL / WI    (Official USPS State Abbreviations)


National

New Sign The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. It operates with about 30 staff and a governing board of representatives from Federal departments and public members appointed by the President. Key responsibilities of the Board include:

Further information on the Board's rulemaking, including copies of the committee's report, are available on the Board's website at www.access-board.gov/outdoor/status.htm. * * * * * * "Access Currents" is a free newsletter issued by the Access Board every other month by mail and e-mail. Send questions or comments to mailto:news@access-board.gov or call (800) 872-2253 ext. 0026 (voice) or (800) 993-2822 (TTY). Mailing address: 1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1000; Washington, D.C. 20004-1111.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers 258 million surface acres of America's public lands, located primarily in 12 Western States. The BLM sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Bureau of Reclamation, established in 1902, is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Reclamation has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River.

Inclusive Play Design Guide offers inspiration and guidance to support the design of an inclusive, universally designed outdoor playground. The Guide's chapters include planning, layout, access, selecting equipment, play richness and support features. There is also a resource page, a glossary and more information about surfacing.

National Alliance on Accessible Golf, which is comprised of leading golf organizations and several universities, promotes and provides information on accessible golf.

National Center on Accessibilityr is a cooperative project between the National Park Service and Indiana University to provide information and technical assistance, primarily on recreation access.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability provides information and resources on physical activity to help people with disabilities find ways to become more active and healthier. The Center also provides information on how to provide access to fitness centers, schools, recreation facilities, camps, and health and leisure services.

National Park Service (NPS) preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. This site includes a section, "National Parks: Accessible to Everyone," that provides information on locating accessible trails, programs, activities, and other features at national park units nationwide.

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is a national, non-profit service organization dedicated to advancing parks, recreation and environmental efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.

Recreation.gov site offers a single point of access to information on all types of recreational opportunities and reservations on Federal lands. It is designed to provide a customer-friendly recreation portal for planning visits to Federal recreation sites and making campground/tour reservations.

Removing Barriers to Health Clubs and Fitness Facilities (PDF Publication) The North Carolina Office on Disability and Health, in collaboration with the Center for Universal Design, has developed a guide on removing barriers to access in health clubs and fitness facilities which provides information on accommodating persons with disabilities and older adults.

Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian is committed to enlarging our shared understanding of the mosaic that is our national identity by providing authoritative experiences that connect us to our history and our heritage as Americans and to promoting innovation, research and discovery in science. These commitments have been central to the Smithsonian since its founding more than 155 years ago.

Standards for Accessible Design standards for new construction and alterations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for state and local government facilities.

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) is one of two standards (along with the Standards for Accessible Design) for new construction and alterations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for state and local government facilities. In addition, these are a good source for universal design concepts

Wilderness Inquiry
Wilderness Inquiry is a non-profit organization that focuses on getting people from all walks of life to personally experience the natural world. Wilderness Inquiry conducted a study for the Departments of Agriculture and Interior on ways to improve access for persons with disabilities to outdoor recreational opportunities made available to the public.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is the steward of the lands and waters at Corps water resources projects. Its Natural Resources Management mission is to manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with the ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations. This site is your gateway to recreation opportunities at Corps lands and waters.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is, working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service has developed accessibility guidelines to provide guidance for the agency to maximize accessibility while at the same time recognizing and protecting the unique characteristics of the natural setting of outdoor recreation areas and hiker/pedestrian trails. These guidelines apply to new or reconstructed areas within the National Forest System. Accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation facilities, including camp grounds, picnic areas, beaches, and trails would apply to those facilities built or altered by the Forest Service. Provisions are included for constructed features such as campsites, viewing areas at overlooks, pit toilets, warming huts, among others. Requirements for trails are addressed in a separate set of guidelines. The guidelines incorporate provisions from an existing design guide developed by the Forest Service and are also based a report available from the Access Board on outdoor developed areas. The report contains recommended accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered trails, picnic and camping facilities, and beaches. Technical provisions for trails include specifications for the running slope or grade, cross slope, width, surface, passing space, edge protection, and signs.

 

U.S. Golf Association (USGA)'s Resource Center for Individuals with Disabilities was created to help make golf more accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Resource Center provides information of interest to potential or current golfers with disabilities and is funded and managed by the USGA in partnership with other national organizations.

 

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Regional Listings


Great Lakes Region

New Sign ADA Great Lakes 2010 ADA Standards include specific technical requirements for several recreation environments including amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers etc.

New Sign Creating Accessible Play Areas Trails, outdoor recreation, swimming pools, playgrounds, golf, by the 1993-1995 Recreational Access Advisory Committee for recreation and tourism by people with disabilities.


State Listings


Illinois

New Sign Illinois Code Book - ADA Architectural Barrier Removal and Compliance


Wisconsin

New Sign Recreation Accessibility Guidelines Appendix A of Douglas County Wisconsin Outdoor Recreation Plan are based on the federal requirements for the compliance with ADA. Local codes may vary and should be reviewed before any new construction or remodeling is undertaken. They contain only a portion of the access. These should not be used as the only source when analyzing accessibility needs.

New Sign Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department provides facilities and programs that are accessible to all individuals. For more specific information on facility and program accessibility, you may write or call the Wausau and Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, 212 River Drive, Suite 2, Wausau, WI 54403-5476, (715) 261-1550, TDD (715) 261-1453.

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[Updated June 30, 2012]
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