Integrating Sustainable and Universal Design: A New Approach to Achieving Excellence
Submitted by Anonymous on January 7, 2011 - 4:18pm.by Annie Cornett
As the emphasis on environmentalism and conservation continues to grow, it is becoming more essential than ever for the design and construction of new facilities to not only meet requirements for providing access for all individuals, but to also embrace this “green” philosophy. Universal and green design are not technically design styles, but simply points of reference that often influence the design and construction process. They have the ability, when integrated together, drive the design process creating facilities that are more user friendly and environmentally conscience as well.
DOJ to Hold Public Meetings on ANPRM
Submitted by Anonymous on November 10, 2010 - 4:25pm.ADA Approved and Other Accessible Product Myths: Choosing Products to Improve Access at Your Parks & Facilities
Submitted by Anonymous on August 18, 2010 - 9:53am.Choosing products for use in a park or recreation facility can sometimes be challenging and overwhelming with the overload of information from manufacturers and accessibility guidelines to consider. This monograph introduces the major considerations for purchasing products to improve access for people with disabilities in recreation environments including:
Access Today: June/July 2010
Submitted by Anonymous on July 1, 2010 - 2:06pm.
More than 35 park and recreation professionals from throughout the United States gathered in Portland, June 22-25, to attend training on Accessibility Management in Parks and Recreation hosted by the National Center on Accessibility. NCA instructors provided an overview of the federal regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Training attendees were able to apply new information on the ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines, the principles of universal design, proposed guidelines for outdoor developed areas, and program access during a field exercise to the Tualatin Hills Nature Park. The Accessibility Management course continues to be NCA’s most popular training program specifically designed for accessibility coordinators. Look for the course to be scheduled again in Spring 2011.
NCA Conducts Accessibility Assessments of National Parks in Pacific Northwest
While in the Pacific Northwest this June, NCA conducted comprehensive physical and programmatic accessibility assessments of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (Vancouver, WA) and Klondike Gold Rush (Seattle, WA). Assessments of the parks are a new project between NCA and the National Park Service Accessibility Management Program where 40 small, non-fee national parks will be assessed over the next two years. NCA staff has developed quite the expertise in park assessments following on the heels of a 12-park pilot assessment project with the National Park Service and other special projects such as
Frequently Asked Questions on the Development of a Field Test Method for Measuring the Firmness and Stability of Surface Systems
Submitted by Anonymous on June 30, 2010 - 8:58am.Prepared by the National Center on Accessibility
June 2010
In 2005, a task group within the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) F08.63 Subcommittee on Playground Surfaces began working on the development of a test method to objectively measure firmness and stability of surfaces systems as related to accessible routes on playgrounds. This test method can be used by playground owners, facility managers and others as a method for measuring firmness and stability of surfaces. The following FAQ’s have been prepared by the National Center on Accessibility to provide background information to playground owners, recreation practitioners, and others about the field test method for measuring surface firmness and stability.
Access Today: May 2010
Submitted by Anonymous on May 5, 2010 - 12:53pm.
Trail planners, builders and coordinators from land management agencies around the country participated in NCA’s 21st Century Trails Workshop last week. The 2-day experiential workshop was held at Bradford Woods amidst some of central Indiana’s most beautiful weather and springtime foliage. Bill Botten, U.S. Access Board, presented an overview of the draft accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas. Patti Longmuir, PEL Consulting, presented sessions on trail construction and considerations to plan universally designed and sustainable trails. Participants commented:
