GLOBAL VISION PROJECT: Global Vision of Rehabilitation
and Recreation for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century

ACCESS:
"Access Checklist for Recreation and Parks"

by Prof. John A. Nesbitt, Ed.D., CTRS, Pres./CEO
Special Recreation for disABLED International
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Checklist. Whether or not your community and nation have civil laws requiring "accessibility" to public places, transportation, and telecommunications, our rehabilitation position on "human rights" of people with disabilities mandates that we seek access to parks and recreation. The following checklist may be used anywhere as a start in creating accessibility.

__Parking. Are there adequate means of information for people with disabilities about accessible areas, facilities, programs, and services? Bulletin Boards? Internet-messages? Newsletters? Newspaper Announcements? Posted Announcements? Networking?

__Transportation: Auto, Van. Are there sufficient parking spaces at the site for people with disabilities?

__Transportation: Public. Is there public transportation and are there public transportation stops convenient to the recreation site?

__Parking Lot or Station to Site. Are there conveniently accessible means of getting from the parking lot or public transportation station/ stop into the recreation site and specific activity without assistance?

__Ground Surface. Are the ground surfaces leading to site and to the location of the activity firm, slip-proof, and stable?

__Playground Equipment. Are the construction and equipment of the playground adapted for use by children with disabilities?

__Parks. Are the construction, equipment, tables/ picnic tables, paths and trails, etc., of the park adapted for children, youth, adults, and seniors with disabilities?

__Adaptation. Are the areas, buildings, bulletin boards, communications, equipment, fields, and rooms adapted for people with disabilities activities including the following:
__Aquatics?
__Arts and Crafts?
__Cultural Activities?
__Dance?
__Drama?
__Entertainment?
__Fitness?
__Hobbies?
__Instruction, e.g., classrooms?
__Mental and Literary?
__Media?
__Music?
__Nature and Outdoor Recreation?
__Outdoor Amenities such as Picnic Tables?
__Social Areas and Programs?
__Special Events?
__Sports, Games and Athletics?
__Other Activities Appropriate to Local Custom and Culture?

Amenities. Are the following amenities adequately accessible?
__Administrative and Service Offices?
__Drinking Fountains
__Beverage/Food Dispensers, Locations, Rooms?
__Lockers?
__Signage? For visually impaired? For developmentally disabled (for example, basic clear terminology and visual symbols)?
__Showers?
__Storage Areas and Services?
__Toilets?
__Washrooms?
__Written Information?
__Other Amenities Particular to the Site and Service?

__Outdoor. Are the camping sites, fitness, shelters, tables, and trails accessible and marked with proper signage; and, are all ground surfaces leading to, around, and throughout the used portions of the site firm, slip-proof, and stable?

__Disability Conditions. Are all physical features of the department, areas, facilities, programs, service, etc., adequately adapted for communication impaired, developmentally impaired, hearing impaired, physically impaired (people using canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs), visually impaired, and other impairments?

__Disability Access Advisory Committee. Every recreation agency, organization, resource, and service in the world -- from local community to international government -- should have a "Disability Access Advisory Committee." This DAAC should be made up of:
____People with disabilities representing a broad range of disabilities;
____All age groups; and,
____Cultural, ethnic, and languages of users.

The DAAC should assess accessibility, recommend changes to be made to assure accessibility, and follow up on the completion and success of providing accessibility.
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GLOBAL VISION PROJECT:
Global Vision of Rehabilitation and Recreation
for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century
A JOINT PROJECT BY:
Disability International Foundation AND
Special Recreation for disABLED International

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