America's Byways® Resource Center

Accessibility

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Accessibility: Conversation with Forest Service Accessibility Manager Janet Zeller

1. What, exactly, does accessibility mean? How does this apply to built environments, natural environments or cases like historic preservation?

To the 54 million people in the U.S. who have disabilities, as well as to their family and friends, and to our aging population accessibility means the opportunity to enjoy experiences together. The strict definition of an accessible building, constructed feature or area is that it was in compliance with the accessibility guidelines at the time it was constructed or altered. So it is either in compliance or not, therefore it is either accessible or it is not accessible. The legal requirement to comply with the guidelines have been in place since 1968, the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) for Federal agencies and those utilizing Federal dollars in their projects, and since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), for State and local government funded projects and for businesses open to the public.

Accessibility guidelines have been in place since 1969 and have been refined over the years. From the beginning, the purpose of the guidelines has been to ensure that people with disabilities could participate in the activity along with everyone else and to do so with independence and dignity. The guidelines are based on the footprint of a wheelchair, because if a person who uses a wheelchair can participate in the program in the building or area, then it is likely all other people can as well.

When buildings are constructed or altered it is usually not difficult to integrate the accessibility guidelines requirements into the structure including such provisions as the width of doorways, lever handles rather than door knobs, the slope of walkways and so forth. However, the natural environment poses more of a challenge. The accessibility guidelines, which currently are the Americans with Disabilities Act/Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA/ABA AG) address the built environment, all types of building as well as playgrounds, boating docks, fishing piers and similar developed recreation facilities.

However, those guidelines do not address viewing areas at overlooks, campgrounds, other types of developed outdoor recreation sites or trails. Applying the guidelines for the built environment to these outdoor areas could significantly impact the natural setting by causing them to be over developed. In order to provide guidance that maximizes accessibility while maintaining the natural setting, the U.S. Forest Service has developed the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG) and the Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG). These guidelines allow for exceptions if meeting specific requirements would result in a change to the natural setting. The result of applying these outdoor recreation focused guidelines from the beginning of a project is accessibility integrated into the natural setting.

Historic structures present a different set of issues. The legal requirement is that historic structures must be made accessible, unless that action would result in “substantial impairment” to the significant features of the historic property. If the facility cannot be made accessible without substantially impairing the historic features, the key elements of the program are to be accessible. So an alternative program may need to be developed. For example, at an historic lighthouse photo panels could be placed outside the structure showing key features inside lighthouse as well as the view from the top.

2. Where can byway organizations go to get information about accessibility?

The U.S. Forest Service has an accessibility web page that provides lots of helpful documents. www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility.

3. Universal accessibility makes any environment a better place for everyone. What do you think are the major barriers to making those changes happen in a broad way?

Universal design is the design of programs and facilities to serve all people, regardless of the user’s size, physical, sensory or mental abilities, or language skills in an integrated setting that is a safe, efficient, comfortable and inviting environment. Universally designed projects provide access to programs and facilities for people to share the experience together. The two major barriers to making universal design a standard in all projects are awareness and the need to integrate accessibility from the start of a project. By incorporating a commitment to universal design into the development process from start the setting is maintained and accessibility is maximized.

4. What would you say are the two or three main priorities for us to pay attention to in developing and improving byway projects?

From the start of the project set the goal as universal design using the following measures:

1. Apply the appropriate accessibility guidelines to the buildings constructed features and areas.
2. Ensure the program is accessible by asking the following four questions and developing the program so the answer is “Yes” to each:
   1. Can a person with a mobility impairment access/participate in the program/exhibit along with everyone else? Then repeat that question inserting,
   2. a person who is blind/low vision?
   3. a person who is deaf or hard of hearing?
   4. a person who has a learning disability?
3. Include an accessibility specialist on the project team to keep an eye out for accessibility opportunities.

5. Are there questions or statements we can be asking at meetings and public hearings that will keep accessibility concerns in the right focus?

Keep the focus on the universal design of the project’s programs and facilities in order to serve all people, regardless of the user’s size, physical, sensory or mental abilities, or language skills. The integrated setting is to be a safe, efficient, comfortable and inviting environment, while maintaining the natural setting.

6. What can we do to increase input and feedback from visitors and users who have disabilities, rather than make assumptions or guesses?

People who have disabilities tend not to view themselves first as a person with a disability, but rather identify themselves first, as most people do, by their interests, type of work they do, where they live and so forth. As the result there is not a separate and distinct community of people who have disabilities and so there is no efficient way to separately increase input and feedback from a broad range of individuals who have disabilities solely from the perspective of their disability. Outreach to the entire community remains the most effective way to include a broad range of people who have disabilities in public comment opportunities.

In many communities there are independent living centers (ILC). These centers are nonprofit, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for persons with disabilities. Their goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within their families and communities. Independent living centers often have web pages or other means of outreach that will reach their members who have disabilities. While outreach through ILCs is limited in the number of people it will reach, it is worthwhile to contact the local ILCs at the beginning of the any projects comment process to ensure that whatever outreach methods the ILC uses are included in the project’s outreach plans. A listing of all of the ILCs in the U.S. is available at www.ilusa.com/links/ilcenters.htm

7. Accessibility workshops seem to be a tough-sell to conference registrants.

It is very important for all byways projects to maximize access for all visitors. In order to integrate accessibility seamlessly, people need to know how to develop their projects in accordance with the legal requirements for accessibility and the yet balanced the preservation of the setting. At least one person on each byway project team needs to learn the how-tos of accessibility. Accessibility sessions at the National Scenic Byways Conference are an important way to both develop expertise and to learn from the experiences of other byway projects.