America's Byways® Resource Center

Accessibility

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Accessibility: Building Awareness About The Benefits Of Universally Accessible Byways

By Tip Ray, Inclusive Recreation Consulting

Editor’s note: Tip Ray is currently assisting the America’s Byways Resource Center to develop an accessibility training and education program for byways. He also presented a workshop at the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference entitled, “Universal Accessibility And Your Byway.”

Planning for your byway to meet the diverse interests, needs and abilities of all potential byway travelers should be an important focus of your byway group’s efforts. However, many byway organizations would likely express that they are just not sure where to begin. In January 2008, an advisory group of byway practitioners and accessibility experts and advocates on disability and aging issues met at the America’s Byways Resource Center to talk about the development of accessibility awareness and skills training to support byways as they work to enhance visitor experiences along their designated routes.

“Access” Or “Accessible”?
The National Scenic Byways Program presents a wonderful opportunity for travelers to be directly engaged in what defines America—its landscapes, history, wildlife, stories and people. Unfortunately, while access to byways is often clear and convenient, one may not be fully aware of the accessibility of a byway’s unique features and facilities.

What do we mean when we say “accessible”? If something is “accessible” —a building, an interpretive exhibit, a trail or a program, then it meets legal minimal standards for compliance when addressing the needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility standards derive from Federal legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. State and local governments, businesses, Federal agencies, and programs funded by Federal dollars must all meet the legal mandate of being integrated and accessible. Therefore, when byways receive National Scenic Byways Program grant funds from the Federal Highway Administration, they must meet the legal standards for accessibility with the application of their funding.

What Is “Universal Accessibility”?
Recognizing that the Resource Center is not in the business of enforcing Federal mandates, the advisory group suggested that the Resource Center help to educate byway members about ways to assure that the needs of the greatest number of visitors, including those with disabilities, are met. That approach is called “universal accessibility.”

“Universal accessibility” is NOT legally mandated, but represents a conscious decision to “design…products and environments to be as usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design,” according to Ron Mace, North Carolina State University, School of Design.

Good universal design of byway facilities and programs should certainly incorporate accessible design as mandated by law, but would also assure that all visitors can access and enjoy the vast intrinsic qualities presented along the byways in a manner that is equal to everyone else. Experiences that are universally accessible allow visitors to be excited about what they experienced, not how they struggled.

Byway groups that focus increased attention on “universally accessible” experiences and settings can be certain that their byways will be more inclusive of persons who may benefit from and appreciate enhanced access, such as elderly persons or others needing a little extra time or assistance; families with young children, particularly those in strollers; persons who communicate differently; and others, including persons with disabilities.

Designing and fostering universally accessible byways further demonstrates to travelers that, regardless of one’s abilities, everyone can visit, easily access and experience those intrinsic qualities that define America.

A New Training Resource For Byways
In the coming year, the Resource Center will begin to develop a comprehensive and innovative training package for byways. Through the training, byway members will develop Knowledge in areas such as disability awareness, universal access and design concepts, and legal mandates. Byway representatives will learn a number of Skills, including assessing a byway’s intrinsic qualities and attractions to determine extent and level of accessibility; locating resources in support of universal accessibility (Web-based and community); and participate in a byway field experience to observe accessibility issues and discuss types of applications. Finally, after receiving training, byway representatives will have the Abilities to go home and apply and promote universal accessibility on their own byways to enhance the visitor experience, plus incorporate these concepts into the corridor management plan, interpretive plans and marketing.

For accessibility resources and training announcements, visit: www.bywaysresourcecenter.org

Has your byway successfully planned and implemented an accessibility project along your byway? Please share your stories and pictures with us. E-mail: center@byways.org.

Universally Accessible Byway Benefits
For byways to remain vital and an important means of protecting what’s unique about our communities and America, we need to cater to ALL prospective visitors…or our customers, if you like. Here are some benefits of universally accessible byways.

Benefits To Individuals, Community and Society
Universal access showcases a society that says “people belong and deserve and are owed equal access, opportunities and choices”; highlights a community that affords value and respect to its diverse membership; and gives to visitors an appreciation of not only the intrinsic qualities found along our scenic byways, but also of their own abilities and contributions, as well.

Benefits To Your Economy
Byways who incorporate universal accessibility into byway planning recognize the benefits to the bottom line. Historically neglected groups of citizens, such as those with disabilities, have the same desire to travel, experience the American landscape, and spend their money. The Open Doors Organization of Chicago estimates that people with disabilities spend nearly $13 billion each year in travel expenses. That’s a lot! The other part of this equation is that these individuals seldom travel alone. Who wouldn’t want these customers?!

Benefits To the Environment
Universal accessibility design is sustainable design. By not creating separate entrances, unnecessary stairs, multiple toilet spaces, different interpretive displays, or separate accessible trails and pathways for the “nontraditional” visitor, resources are best preserved, protected and managed.

Are You Ready For Your Travelers?…All of Them?
When travelers visit your byway, they hope to take home lasting memories of a special place with great experiences. As a byway provider, ask yourself this question: “Does my byway offer opportunities or barriers?” Consider these scenarios…

• Karen is traveling with her mother who has a walker to accommodate her mobility impairment from recent hip surgery. They have plans to vacation along your byway, and especially to eat only at local restaurants in the byway corridor’s small towns so that they can get an “authentic taste” of your part of the country. Karen’s mother can’t walk up stairs. Does your byway offer accessible local restaurants?

• Tim is a real history buff and loves to attend living history programs and museums. He has an auditory impairment and has a hard time with many program guides because he can’t hear them well. He is coming to travel your byway because he wants to tour the wealth of historic mansions and museums that were featured along the route on your byway’s website. Are those facilities with public programs able to accommodate his needs?

• Frank is an advanced wheelchair outdoor adventurer. He wants to take a vacation somewhere where there will be accessible but challenging outdoor activities to enjoy, such as whitewater rafting or wooded trail access with mixed grades of slopes. Would he be able to learn what options he had for such fun on your byway?

• An Elderhostel group is coming to tour your byway. Several of the participants have various levels of visual ability, ranging from good vision to challenging. These groups love to stop and read interpretive signs when they travel. Does your interpretive signage provide color contrast, large font size, or an auditory option so that those with visual impairments do not struggle to read it?

Provide Information About Your Accessible Experiences!
Before visitors arrive, they often seek accessibility information about facilities and programs to see if it will be a good place to stop. Be sure to post accessibility details on your byway website and printed materials. It will help byway travelers with any specific needs tailor their trip for a great experience.

Successful Accessibility Projects On Byways
Byway organizations across the country have worked to broaden the opportunity of experiences to people of all abilities traveling and recreating along their routes by making their programs, facilities and recreation opportunities more accessible. Below are a few reports of successful accessibility projects on National Scenic Byways.

Energy Loop: Huntington / Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byway (UT)
The 8/8/88 Mammoth Discovery Site on our byway was built to include a kiosk with interpretive panels about the discovery of the Columbian Mammoth. The kiosk was built on a beautiful hillside overlooking the site of the discovery and the project plan included making the trail ADA accessible by winding it through the trees and along the hillside to the kiosk. The length of the trail is approximately 200 feet. A bench was placed halfway between the parking lot and the kiosk, nestled in the forest, for those who need to stop and take a breather. - Jana Abrams, Energy Loop Byway Coordinator

Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway (CO)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), volunteers and members of the Federation of the Blind built and dedicated a visually impaired tactile trail at Dinosaur Hill on the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic and Historic Byway in late September 2001. Working together they developed a four-tenths of a mile trail to the top of Dinosaur Hill. Wire rope was suspended between four-foot high posts to provide a guide for the visually impaired, plus tactile signs describing dinosaur history and geology of the area were installed. - Sally Pearce, Colorado State Byway Coordinator

Historic Columbia River Highway (OR)
Vista House at Crown Point is one of the most photographed sites along the Historic Columbia River Highway. It is a memorial to Oregon’s pioneers, an observatory, and public comfort station. This historic building, which includes restrooms, interpretive area and gift shop, is located atop a 733-foot sheer cliff overlooking the Columbia River. People with mobility impairments were not able to enter this major attraction along the byway due to its stairs. In response to this accessibility need, a ramp was built that would not destroy the historic steps into the building, and an ingenious elevator lift was also developed to allow visitors to access the basement of the building. As a result, we saw a dramatic increase of users with mobility impairments who now regularly visit and access the building. The lift was used 2,650 times during the 2006 season alone. Numerous fund sources were used to complete the project, including a National Scenic Byways Program grant. - Vista House Program Coordinator

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway (SD)
Each year, thousands of people from all over the world travel to southwest South Dakota to follow the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which winds people through the magic and history of the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park. To provide accessible experiences for travelers of all abilities along our byway, the U.S. Forest Service has worked in partnership with numerous agencies and volunteers to enhance visitor facilities and programs along the route, including accessible trails, boardwalks, fishing platforms, overlooks, interpretive signs and parking lots. - Stephen Keegan, USFS - Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway Leader

Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway (NY)
A popular fishing spot on the Mohawk River at the Route 9 bridge will soon provide residents and byway travelers with a safe and wheelchair-accessible location. One of our municipal partners along the byway is working on completing this accessible design. The project uses fund from a grant outside the National Scenic Byways Program. It will be another great recreational asset for our byway. - Eric J. Hamilton, Mohawk Towpath Byway Coordinator

Amish Country National Scenic Byway (OH)
Along the Amish Country Byway in Ohio, the Victorian House museum has created a viewing space and a video for all visitors as an alternative to climbing three flights of stairs that are not accessible to all. This video was created/adapted from a national television feature of the home, inside and out. The video has been a good solution in the atmosphere of limited resources while meeting the needs and the expectations of our visitors. - Sharon Strouse, Amish Country Scenic Byway Leader

Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway (UT)
The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry National Natural Landmark, an integral part of the Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway, underwent major renovations in 2005 and 2006. The BLM engineering team for the design work ensured that ADA standards were met. The two focal points at the site were the quarry and the visitor/interpretive center. The visitor center was expanded from about 800 square feet to over 2,000, and because of the topography of the site, the addition had to be set 4 feet lower than the original floor level. Stairs were avoided in the visitor center by designing a ramp as part of the floor—a ramp that accommodates everyone, whether they have mobility problems or not. All of the exhibits were also set so they can be seen as easily from a wheelchair as from standing. The quarry building previously had a narrow catwalk above the deposit for visitor viewing. Wheelchairs pretty much had to roll in and then back out. We now have two viewing platforms large enough for wheelchairs to turn around; we could easily accommodate several at a time. As the BLM staff person responsible for day-to-day operations at the quarry, I have seen how well the renovations work. We probably had about a dozen wheelchairs go through this past year and all of the occupants were quite complimentary about the redesign. - Michael Leschin, BLM - Dinosaur Diamond Byway Leader

Learn More!
Visit the Accessibility discussion forum on www.bywaysonline.org. Go to “Visitor Experience” and then to “Accessibility Projects on Byways.” Post your questions or share your own successful accessibility projects along your byway.

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