National Center on Accessibility
LEADING the parks and recreation profession in welcoming people with disabilities.
About
The National Center for Accessibility (NCA), is a program of the Eppley Center for Parks and Public Lands, offering training, assessments, research, planning, and technical assistance on physical and programmatic design, infrastructure, and best practices for parks. Our goal is to assist parks in enhancing the park experience for people with disabilities through access and interpreting and experiencing the park’s resources.
Training and Certification
NCA provides a number of courses for parks employees, ranging from free essential courses to courses on Accessible Design and Accessible Recreation and our flagship Foundations of Accessibility Certification Program.
Assessments
Walk your park with us and see it through a new lens. Our accessibility specialists will evaluate your park, historic site, or recreation area’s existing conditions and make recommendations on removing barriers to full participation by people with disabilities in your programs and facilities. All of our assessments look at the complete visitor experience from an entry-to-exit perspective.
Research
NCA’s research investigates the critical issues and challenges recreation professionals face making their programs and facilities fully welcoming for people with disabilities. Our thirty years of practitioner-based research has shaped accessibility standards and national policy, and focuses on providing professionals with practical information and effective solutions. Contact us if you need a university partner for your research project or you are interested in contributing to the research of our academic staff.
Planning & Technical Assistance
Our experienced staff works with agencies, firms, and individuals through all phases of the planning process to improve access to recreation sites and programs. We facilitate collaborative planning efforts, serve as accessibility specialists on your planning team, and advance your planning efforts by soliciting feedback from user experts.
LEADING the parks and recreation profession in welcoming people with disabilities.