![]() Trails and the New Federal Accessibility Guidelines On March 15, 2011, new Department of Justice rules took effect, specifying the “other power-driven mobility devices” (OPDMD) that could be used on trails by “individuals with mobility disabilities.” If you manage a trail that is open to the public this rule applies to your facility. ![]() Other Power-driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) This webinar will provide an introduction to Universal Access Information and how it provides people with information they need to determine whether an outdoor recreation environment meets their needs for accessibility and their desires for an achievable challenge. Getting the Word Out about Accessibility of Trails and Outdoor Recreation This webinar will provide an overview of Mass Audubon’s All Persons Hiking Trails. ![]() This webinar will focus on trail design for accessibility and risk reduction for adaptive mountain biking.Ĭreating Accessible Trails with Universally Designed Interpretation This webinar will review the scoping and technical requirements for outdoor developed areas on federal lands and highlight the best practices for facilities covered by the ADA.Īdaptive Mountain Biking: Trail Design for Accessibility and Reduced Risk These webinars from our American Trails Advancing Trails Webinar Series are free to the public.Īccessibility: Outdoor Developed Areas Final Rule These guides and resources provide a framework for moving toward more equitable access to the outdoors for all. Mike Passo, 2021 testimony to the House Natural Resources Committee Once this attitudinal change is accomplished, the implementation of other aspects of the civil rights of any minority group becomes far easier. It serves to motivate people to change because they want to, not because the law is telling them they have to. It is far more efficient and effective at accomplishing what legislated mandates can only attempt to do-promote equality. This is why increasing opportunities for integrated outdoor recreation is so important-it serves as an effective catalyst in changing attitudes. For most people, the accommodations they make in a social, recreational context do translate into other areas of life-including employment, health care, and access to basic services. When people enjoy each other enough to extend the invitation to recreate together, they will-usually voluntarily-seek to make accommodations to facilitate participation. Simply put, there is no greater statement of social acceptance than being asked to recreate together as a friend, peer, or colleague. While it is true that the federal land management agencies have been expected to do more with less in recent years, it is also true that accessibility for persons with disabilities can be advanced in ways that compliment and augment other efforts to better serve ALL Americans who recreate on public lands. For accessibility to receive a higher share of the resources that are available, resource allocators need to recognize that accessibility is an issue that does or will affect everyone. ![]() One of the underlying issues here is that many people (not just federal land managers) tend to "pigeon hole" the access issue as simply another special need of yet another minor constituency. Yet, for a multitude of complex reasons, the majority of Americans-including persons with disabilities-still do not participate in outdoor recreation.Īccess for people with disabilities is often perceived as a secondary consideration to other, more pressing needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this into dramatic focus, as trails and public land use across the country are seeing 200-400% increases by Americans seeking the respite and well-being that outdoor recreation can provide. The demand for outdoor recreation on federal lands has increased dramatically over the last 30-years, and it is expected to continue to rise. National Recreation Trails (NRT) Database. ![]()
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