While notable advancements have been made, much is needed to break down the barriers and embrace greater inclusivity. Parks, programs, and leaders across the service need more education, guidance, support, and resources to create more welcoming experiences for a broad spectrum of audiences.
Visitors of all levels of ability are drawn to our national parks. When they arrive, we hope they engage with the rich collection of stories and resources that reflect our national heritage and diversity. In their daily work supporting our mission, employees plan, design, build, and support facilities and programs aimed at enhancing the visitors’ understanding, safety, comfort, and enjoyment of park resources. Along the way, a series of choices and trade-offs are made ranging from material, media type, and cost to aesthetics and presentation, which can impact access levels for visitors with disabilities. Implicit in the National Park Service mission is that all members of our visiting public are afforded access to our significant sites and the stories within. Knowing that only a coordinated approach to a challenge of this magnitude would work, Director’s Order 42 was released to set the National Park Service on a path of continuous improvement.
While outstanding projects have been completed since, many programs, facilities, and services fall short of carrying out this goal. Why? In general, collective awareness and organizational commitment to make significant cultural changes across the park system have drifted as additional priorities have arisen and public expectations have shifted. This lack of continued, focused attention to address and correct known accessibility problems has inhibited our progress, and remains frustrating to our visitors, staffs, and stakeholders.
Attached document published August 2014
The National Park Service (NPS) was created in 1916 and today manages over 390 units found in all 50 states and some of the U.S. territories. NPS supports and operates trails in three interlocking arenas: trails in parks, technical assistance to States and communities, and administration of much of the National Trails System.
Accessibility Toolkit for Land Managers
posted Feb 24, 2024
Accessibility means more than ADA. What makes you feel welcome in outdoor spaces? When you visit a new park, how do you know that people want you to be there, that you belong?
The Trail Access Project Removes Barriers to the Outdoors
posted Feb 11, 2022
Their goal is to facilitate the removal of barriers to recreational trail usage through providing information, increasing accessible features, and supporting park managers in making changes.
posted Feb 5, 2020
The purpose of the study was to identify the perceptions of people with disabilities relative to program and physical accessibility in the National Park Service.
Children’s Center Trail Project Breaks Down Barriers
posted Apr 3, 2018
This trail includes sections made of different materials that can teach children with disabilities how to maneuver on surfaces such as rubber, pea gravel, mulch, boardwalk decking, and concrete pavers.
449 views • posted 02/05/2020
