Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

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Dana Stafford
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1 Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails Association of Conservation Engineers September 17, 2007

2 Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails Access Board is the independent Federal agency that (among other things) develops and maintains accessible design criteria Has been working on guidelines for outdoor recreation and trails since 1993 nearly done Public comment open through October 18 Architectural Barriers Act requires Federal facilities to be accessible. What to do meanwhile?

3 Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails Forest Service needed guidelines, so developed own Based on draft Access Board guidelines Will modify if necessary when Access Board guidelines finalized Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG) Find both at

4 Basic Premise: The outdoors are for everyone Don t create artificial barriers for the 54 million people in the US with a disability - and their friends and families

5 Basic Premise: The outdoors are for everyone Don t change the character of the site or trail, just make sure everybody can experience what s there, wherever feasible.

6 Basic Premise: The outdoors are for everyone Let people choose their own destinations If you build something, make it for everyone

7 Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails Legal documents are a little dense and tough to decipher Needed something easy-to-use to help FS designers, technicians, and partners understand fundamentals of outdoor recreation and trails accessibility comply with FSTAG and FSORAG Developed Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails (AGORT) Developed By: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Technology & Development Program In

8 Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails (AGORT) Developed By: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Technology & Development Program In cooperation with: United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration FHWA accessibility/htmlpubs/htm /lib_card.htm

9 3 types of information in the AGORT Understanding the fundamentals of outdoor recreation and trails accessibility Applying the FSORAG to campgrounds and other outdoor recreation areas Applying the FSTAG to trails

10 Understanding the fundamentals of outdoor recreation and trails accessibility General info about accessibility Info about accessibility guidelines Info about other tools for accessible recreation Read all about it at accessibility/htmlpubs/htm /lib_card.htm

11 Applying the FSORAG to developed campgrounds and other outdoor recreation areas

12 Applying the FSORAG to developed campgrounds and other outdoor recreation areas Technical Provisions (like general specs) Outdoor Recreation Access Routes Beach Access Routes Constructed Features for Picnic Areas Picnic Units Picnic Tables Cooking Surfaces, Grills, Pedestal Grills

13 Applying the FSORAG Technical Provisions Constructed Features for Campgrounds Camping Units Camp Living Areas Campground Parking Spurs Parking Spurs for Double Camp Units Camp Unit Identification Tent Pads & Tent Platforms Fire Rings, Fireplaces, Wood Stoves Utilities Water Hydrants Utility Sinks

Applying the FSORAG Technical Provisions Other Constructed Features Benches Trash, Recycling & other Essential Containers Viewing Areas at

14 Applying the FSORAG Technical Provisions Other Constructed Features Benches Trash, Recycling & other Essential Containers Viewing Areas at Overlooks Telescopes & Periscopes Storage Facilities for Assistive Devices Pit Toilets in General Forest Areas Warming Huts Outdoor Rinsing Showers Signs

15 Applying the FSORAG Conditions for Departure: exceptions and deviations due to limitations imposed by the environment Modifications are allowed to some technical provisions where there s a condition for departure Some extra modifications are allowed if modifying an existing site and there s a condition for departure Exceptions are allowed from some technical provisions where there s a condition for departure Some extra exceptions are allowed if modifying an existing site and there s a condition for departure

16 Applying the FSORAG 4 Conditions for Departure 1. Where compliance would cause substantial harm to cultural, historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics 2. Where compliance would substantially change the nature of the setting or the purpose of the facility or a portion of the facility, or would not be consistent with the applicable forest land and resource management plan for the area

17 Applying the FSORAG 4 Conditions for Departure 3. Where compliance would require construction methods or materials that are prohibited by Federal, State, or local law, other than State or local law whose sole purpose is to prohibit use by persons with disabilities. 4. Where compliance would be impractical due to terrain or prevailing construction practices

18 How does the FSORAG work? Start by assuming you will meet the Technical Provisions Only select new sites with terrain that will allow meeting the Technical Provisions Make all the stuff accessible Toilets, tables, grills, fire rings, etc. When facing challenges or potential conflicts, think creatively

19 How does the FSORAG work? Example: North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation (existing site)

20 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Site on steep terrain with flatter benches Site beat-out pretty badly loved to death by 4-wheel recreationists Site in Semi-Primitive Motorized ROS Site goal: development level 3 APPENDIX%20H_Levels%20of%20Site%20Modi fication.doc

21 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation

22 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make all the stuff accessible Everybody can use each toilet Well, maybe not this guy

23 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make all the stuff accessible Tables Fire Rings etc. Before and after at a typical camp unit

24 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make the outdoor recreation access routes accessible

25 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Exception to slope requirements for access routes for alterations where there s a condition for departure One walk-in unit is down a steep bank

26 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Exceptions for slope and width for access routes Do what you can to meet technical requirements Exceptions must be documented A route between units has a steep section you can also use the road

27 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Think creatively At each group unit, the benches swivel Campers can sit close (but not closer than 4 feet) or far from the fire

28 North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Think creatively Using rocks and trees to block undesirable ATV use routes

DRAFT FINAL ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR DEVELOPED AREAS

Date: October 19, 2009 DRAFT FINAL ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR DEVELOPED AREAS Introduction Background Whom Guidelines Apply To How to Submit Comments Contact for Further Information General Issues: