Parks & Recreation Areas (page 2)

In a recent article on Statesman.com, the mother of a boy with spina bifida and cerebral palsy who could not access a playground in his wheelchair commented:

“He goes out and he sits and watches as the other kids play. The only reason we’ve tolerated it this long is there are such good people and kids at the school, they come and play with him and try to bring him balls … every kid wants to be able to go independently where they can and not have to rely on everyone else to incorporate them.”

Summer is here and so is the fun: barbecues, sports, and picnics in the park! Not only is this a time for enjoyment and memories, but staying safe and accommodated are also important as well. Parks and places of recreation are required to adhere to ADA regulations, so you can do just that.

We all benefit from fresh air, exercise, and sport in the great American outdoors. This is why the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that recreational facilities be made accessible to people with disabilities of all types. Here are a few of the highlights of ADA requirements regarding outdoor recreation:

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design has requirements for both publicly-run and privately-owned recreational facilities, which includes gyms. The two main features of the gym that have been required to be accessible are swimming pools and exercise equipment.

March 2012 marked the deadline for all schools, licensed childcare centers, and municipal playgrounds to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010 (ADA). Now is a good time for a reminder about what an ADA compliant playground looks like.

For hunters with disabilities, it is often difficult to find recreational areas that feature ADA accessibility. However, according to a recent report, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association aims to change that with a new 152-acre site specifically designed for hunters with disabilities.