Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is not new – it was actually passed in 1990 and enforcement began in 1992!
In 2010, the United States Department of Justice amended the regulations which became effective on March 15, 2011. This included a recreation design standard effective for new sites on March 15, 2012 and a mandate for agencies to have conducted an accessibility audit on every existing site and to have a plan in place to address deficiencies. This is a MUST!
As park and recreation agencies we have the responsibility to provide recreation opportunities for ALL people of all abilities. In all agencies across the nation, we must make inclusion a goal to strive for and a reality.
For a complete list of changes and regulations visit: www.ada.gov. If you need help with accessibility audits, NRPA has a solution you may find helpful too.
Kellie May is NRPA's Program Manager.
Questions to Ponder. Share your Thoughts:
- What does inclusion really mean to you?
- Is inclusion the norm at your agency?
- How do you ensure you are providing recreation opportunities for all people of all abilities?
- Have you conducted accessibility audits?