Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Recreation and Trails Association of Conservation Engineers September 17, 2007
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 http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor/index.htm Public comment open through October 18 http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor/nprm/#summary Architectural Barriers Act requires Federal facilities to be accessible. What to do meanwhile?
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 http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/
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
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.
Basic Premise: The outdoors are for everyone Let people choose their own destinations If you build something, make it for everyone
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 cooperation with: United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration FHWA http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ accessibility/htmlpubs/htm06232801/lib_card.htm
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
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 http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ accessibility/htmlpubs/htm06232801/lib_card.htm
Applying the FSORAG to developed campgrounds and other outdoor recreation areas
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
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 Overlooks Telescopes & Periscopes Storage Facilities for Assistive Devices Pit Toilets in General Forest Areas Warming Huts Outdoor Rinsing Showers Signs
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
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
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
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
How does the FSORAG work? Example: North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation (existing site)
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 http://roadless.fs.fed.us/data/pdfdocs/rosguide.pdf Site goal: development level 3 http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/measures/cost/infra_files/ APPENDIX%20H_Levels%20of%20Site%20Modi fication.doc
North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation
North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make all the stuff accessible Everybody can use each toilet Well, maybe not this guy
North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make all the stuff accessible Tables Fire Rings etc. Before and after at a typical camp unit
North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Make the outdoor recreation access routes accessible
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
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
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
North Fork St. Joe Campground Renovation Think creatively Using rocks and trees to block undesirable ATV use routes