Access to Recreation: Webinar Series on Exemplar Universal Design Projects

Submitted by mtwolf on May 28, 2009 - 10:32am.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Access to Recreation grant program has provided $15 million in funding to 36 recreation projects in four Midwestern states over the last three years. Projects were selected based on their concepts for embracing universal design, opportunity to facilitate inclusion of people of all abilities and opportunity to serve as an exemplar of universal design to community planners, recreation practitioners and advocates.

Join the National Center on Accessibility for a summer webinar series as we look at some of these innovative projects. The free 90-minute sessions will present an overview of the project concepts, the planning process, design decisions, construction issues, and fundraising. Participants will have the opportunity to view some of the project details online and ask questions of the project managers. This is an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking the latest information on universal design trends specific to parks and recreation. The series is sponsored by the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Foundation.

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Employment Opportunities

Posted June 18, 2009

Accessibility Specialist, National Center on Accessibility
(Two positions available)

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Designing for Inclusive Play: Applying the Principles of Universal Design to the Playground

October 10, 2007 - 11:57am.

by Jennifer K. Skulski, CPSI

Introduction

The public playground is, by far, one of the most important settings for child development. It is one of the few environments where a child has the freedom to run and jump, climb, swing and leap, yell, reign, conjure, create, dream or meditate. In this complicated world that we live in, the playground is a safe and common place for children to come together, to discover the value of play, to learn about each other, to recognize their similarities and differences, to meet physical and social challenges, to leave comfort zones and evolve into the little young people they are meant to be. It is a microcosm for life lessons, from challenge and risk to conflict resolution and cooperation. When we design for these purposes and apply the Principles of Universal Design, we design for inclusive play where every child, regardless of ability or disability, is welcomed and benefits physically, developmentally, emotionally and socially from the environment.

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Funding Accessibility Projects: In Search of the Money Tree

January 21, 2009 - 10:44am.

by Amy Shrake, National Center on Accessibility

In these times when resources are stretched, budgets are tight and agencies struggle with a laundry list of safety, accessibility, and maintenance projects, identifying funding for the projects can be one of the greatest challenges. Finding external funds can be a necessary component to many accessibility projects. Where internal funding may allow for the project to be completed at a minimum, external funds may bolster the project to provide optimal access for the widest spectrum of users through creative and innovative design. External funding may also allow for more projects to be completed in a more timely manner than waiting for each annual allocation where only the top priorities are scheduled. Securing funding sources can be a tedious task; however there are helpful resources that offer solutions to sometimes difficult to fund accessibility projects.

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Dave Park Retires from National Park Service

January 13, 2009 - 3:23pm.
Dave Park, Accessibility Program Coordinator for the National Park Service, retired January 1, 2009 after committing five decades of his career to improving recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. Through various national leadership roles, Dave has brought attention to the need for access to recreation and tourism destinations such as museums, historic sites, and outdoor recreation areas. 
 
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Planning for Inclusion: Implementing an Accessibility Management Program in a Parks and Recreation Business Model

January 13, 2009 - 9:31am.
by Jennifer K. Skulski 
 
Introduction
 
Headlines—Any Town U.S.A. Department of Environmental Conservation settles in access for the disabled lawsuit (July 10, 2001). Department of Parks and Recreation, agrees to purchase golf mobility devices to allow golfers with disabilities to play its courses (December 3, 2002). Justice Department signs agreement with nine communities to ensure civic access for people with disabilities (February 27, 2004). Disabled to get more park access: State settles landmark suit (July 13, 2005). Associate Director provides testimony to U.S. House subcommittee on disability access to national parks (May 11, 2006).  GGNRA and plaintiffs reach a stay in litigation concerning accessibility (December 17, 2008).
 
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