Assistive Technology Webinar

1. Assistive Technology Webinar Brought to you by Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program at MDRC.

2. About the Webinar Use the chat function on the right hand side. Questions and comments are encouraged and expected! The session is being recorded. We will start recording now. 2

3. Increasing Access and Participation in Outdoor Recreational Environments Kathleen Laurin, Ph.D. University of Montana Rural Institute - MonTECH Missoula, MT February 17, 2011

4. Montana – The Treasure State

5. Montana Public Lands

6. Montana has extraordinary natural assets that include: • 320 state fishing access sites • 50 State Parks • 6 National Parks and Monuments • Lewis & Clark and Nez Perce National Historic Trails • 9 National Forests • 13 National Wildlife Refuges • 18 designated Wilderness Areas (3.3 million acres) • 24 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation sites • 953,574 acres of lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams

7. No one resource that provides accessibility information

8. Montana Accessible Recreation Opportunities (MARO) project • Pilot project funded by the DBTAC Rocky Mountain ADA Center • Create a one-stop resource for comprehensive accessibility information for Montana public recreation lands within a 100 mile radius of Missoula

9. Montana Accessible Recreation Opportunities (MARO) project • This included approximately one hundred recreation areas that are managed by state parks, national forest, and/or BLM • We have expanded beyond the initial identified area and have currently completed assessments of 164 sites

10. Process • Gathered user input from persons with disabilities, families, friends, and recreational land use professionals • Identified database fields to provide relevant information • Met with regional State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, and National Forest Service personnel to establish an awareness of the project and to acquire existing data.

11. Process, continued • Compiled additional information from maps, guide books, internet, and other resources • Created an accessible searchable SQL database • Potential users reviewed database • Made adjustments based on reviewer comments • Created data dictionary for Trimble Unit • Began inventory and assessment field work

12. Data Collection Criteria for MARO • U.S. Access Board Draft Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas • Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guideline (FSORAG) • Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines • Universal Design Guidelines

13. Access Board GuidelineOutdoor Developed Areas • Process began in 1997 when Board created the Outdoor Developed Areas Regulatory Negotiation Committee • Regulatory Negotiation Committee presented its report to the Board in 1999 • Board published proposed guidelines for Federal outdoor developed areas in June 2007 • Comment period for final draft ended December 18, 2009

14. Access Board GuidelineOutdoor Developed Areas, continued (2) • Guidelines will address trails, camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, outdoor recreation access routes, and beach access routes • Will apply to outdoor developed facilities that are constructed or altered by or on behalf of the federal government • Will initially apply to sites developed or altered by Federal land management agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers

15. Access Board GuidelineOutdoor Developed Areas, continued (3) • Future rulemaking will apply guidelines to facilities constructed or altered with federal grants or loans • Board intends to develop similar guidelines for outdoor developed areas controlled by non-federal entities at a future date • Guidelines can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor/

16. Why does the FS have their own guidelines for trails and outdoor areas? • In April 2000, the FS began a policy of using the Draft Access Board guidelines. • By 2001 the Access Board was estimating 3 to 5 years before their 1999 Draft guidelines finished their rulemaking/approval process to be final guidelines. • FS got a legal challenge for following the Draft Access Board guidelines before the guidelines had been out for public comment.

17. USDA attorneys told FS to either: • Stopall new construction and alteration in outdoor areas and on trails; or • Follow only UFAS/ADAAG, even for trails;or • Develop FS guidelines, to apply within National Forest System boundaries, and take them through the FS approval process (put them out for public comment). Forest Service picked option # 3 http:///www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility

18. Universal Design • Design of products and environments usable by the broadest public to the greatest extent possible • Intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the built environment usable by as many people as possible • Universal design means taking into consideration the needs of as many people as possible without the need of adaptation or specialized design for specific groups

19. Universal Design, continued. • Benefits of universal design are safer and more welcoming parks and trails for all • Universal design guidelines permit flexibility, if equal or greater accessibility can be provided by a different or more creative design solution • In the best of all possible worlds, the concept of universal design would guide the creation of all facilities and programs

20. Principles of Universal Design as Applied to Parks • Equitable use: parks are accessible to all users, provide the same means for all users, identical where possible, equivalent when not; • Flexibility in use: parks accommodate a wide range of individual preferences and abilities, provide choice for all; • Simple and intuitive: understanding the park and context should be easy, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language, or skill; • Perceptible information: information is communicated effectively to the user regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities;

21. Principles of Universal Design as Applied to Parks, continued • Tolerance for error: hazards and the adverse consequences of accidents are minimized (most used elements are the most accessible, hazardous elements are isolated or eliminated, provide warnings); • Low physical effort: the design can be used efficiently and comfortably with a minimum of fatigue; and • Size and space for approach and use: appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility. (Adapted from North Carolina University:  The Center for Universal Design http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/)

22. Data Collection for MARO • Tools • Level (Smart Level) • Measuring Wheel (DigiRoller) • Tape Measure • Pressure Gauge

23. Tools • Handheld GPS Device (Trimble Handheld Computer) • Data Sheets • Digital Camera • Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

24. Web Page

25. Database and Website-Search Page

26. Search Page

27. Search Results

28. Database and Website • General information gathered: • Contact information for land manager • Land manager’s Internet site • Directions to the site • Information about the setting • Information about other (non-accessible) recreation opportunities at the site

29. Database • Accessibility information gathered: • Accessible activities available at each site. • We defined 12 broadly categorized accessible recreation activities that may be available at a site • Provide detailed information (such as maximum slope, minimum trail width, and surface type) for each accessible activity available at the different sites to help users determine if the activity is accessible and desirable to them.

30. Information about a Site

31. Data Sheets/GPS Data Collection • Information can be collected either by filling out the data sheets or the same information can be entered into the GPS hand held computer using an electronic form with drop down menus and text boxes.

32. Camping Hiking (Trails) Biking (Trails) Fishing (Access) Boating (Launches) Playing (Playgrounds) Scenic/Wildlife Viewing Picnic/Day Use Sites Swimming/Water Access Hunting Visitors’ Center Learning Opportunities Recreation Activities

33. Data Collected – All Activities • Parking • Marked Accessible (type and number of stalls) • Parking Space Dimensions • Slope • Surface Type (firm and stable) • Access Routes from Parking to Activities or Facilities • Running Slope and Cross Slope • Width • Tread Obstacles • Surface Type • New website design will allow for comments by the assessor to be entered for each activity

34. Data Collected – All Activities • Information Signs/Bulletin Boards • Height of information • Font Size/Contrast • Approach to Sign/Boards • Restrooms/Toilets located near an accessible activity • Accessible Route and Distance • Meets standards for door width and turning radius • Grab bars/toilet seat height and placements

35. Hiking/Biking Trail Data • Hiking/Biking • Length of Accessible Trail • Type of Trail (Destination or Loop) • Trail Users • Maximum Running Slope and Cross Slope • Tread Obstacles (Height) • Minimum Width of Trail • Passing Intervals • Resting Areas/Benches • Surface Type

36. Campsite Data • Parking Pad Surface and Dimensions • Outdoor Recreations Access Routes (ORARs) to campsite amenities • Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Firm/Stable Surface • Picnic Table Dimensions, Clearance, and Pad Surface • Tent Pad Dimensions (if available) • Fire Ring/Grill Dimensions and Clearance • Accessible Routes to Drinking Water (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Firm/Stable Surface)

37. Picnic/Day Use Areas Data • Noted type of picnic area (group, single, sheltered) • Outdoor Recreations Access Routes (ORARs) to each type of picnic area (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Firm/Stable Surface) • Number of Accessible Picnic Tables to total for each type • Picnic Table Dimensions, Clearance, and Pad Surface • Fire Ring/Grill Dimensions and Clearance • Accessible Routes to Drinking Water (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Firm/Stable Surface) • Note other activities in day use area (eg. Horse shoe pits, volley ball courts, etc)

38. Fishing Access & Boat Launch • Fishing Access • Water Access (Shore, Pier, Fishing Platform, Dock, etc.) • Access Route to Fishing Area/Boat Launch (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Surface Type) • Transfer Device available for Boat Launches

39. Playing and Swimming • Play Areas • Surface type • Accessible play equipment available • Access into play area (width, tread obstacles) • Swimming Areas • Water Access (Shore, Beach, Dock, etc.) • Access Route to swimming area (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Surface Type)

40. Scenic/Wildlife Viewing & Learning Opportunities • Type of Viewing Area (pedestrian, from vehicle) • Access Route to viewing area (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Surface Type) • Height of railing (will it obstruct views) • Telescope Height and clearances • Type of Learning Opportunity (Signage, Interpretive Programs, Special Events) • Access Route to Learning Opportunity (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Surface Type) • Wheelchair Seating available for programs or events

41. Visitor Centers • Parking (marked spaces, dimensions and number of spaces) • Access Route to Entrance (curb cuts/slopes) • Entrance Dimensions (tread obstacle, width, pressure to open door, door handle type and height) • Exhibits and Displays • Location of displays, display height, and clearance • Paths of travel between displays • Font Size and Contrast of Text with background • Display Controls Operable with a closed fist • Closed Captioning for video displays

42. Hunting • Type of game • Type of area • Established blinds, only open to persons with disabilities, behind-gate vehicle access with permit, etc… • Access Route to hunting area (Slopes, Tread Obstacles, Surface Type)

43. Database - GPS • GPS coordinates of sites to allow users to preview sites within Google Earth and/or enter the coordinates into their own personal navigation systems to assist with trip planning and navigation.

44. Google Earth

45. Pictures and Descriptions of the Recreation Sites

46. Database – User Comments • Accessibility information gathered: • Comment feature that provides opportunity for users to share their experiences at a site or with an activity so that future users may be better aware of unique or changing conditions • Users may voluntarily provide their email contact information so that they can directly contact each other for additional information

47. Future Plans/Improvements • Different icons to denote accessible features • Dynamic web map with the MARO website • Better feature identification in Google Map • Improvements in website general design and navigation

48. Partnerships & Projects • DBTAC: Rocky Mountain ADA Center • Community Parks • State Parks • National Forests • National Parks • Avista Utilities

49. DBTAC: Rocky Mountain ADA Center • Collaborative Partnership in which we serve as members of their research committee and ADA Network • Provided funding for Pilot Project and helped support training efforts

50. Community • Three Forks Community Trail Evaluation