The United States entered into a settlement agreement with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to resolve a complaint alleging that Maine’s restrictions on services placed a young man with intellectual disabilities at serious risk of having to move from his own home to a group home or institution.
Read MoreThe number of Americans age 65 and older continues to increase and is projected to reach 81 million by 2040. Approximately half of Americans age 65 and older live in only 9 states. The most common disability reported by those age 65 and older is limited mobility. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) can help with the design and installation of aging-in-place home modifications for people who prefer to remain in their homes longer.
Read MoreThe ADA discrepancies identified in this investigation are common in many facilities. This investigation and settlement agreement were avoidable if this LA Fitness entity had taken a pro-active approach to ADA compliance.
Read MoreTent pads and tent platforms at single camping units in a recreation area managed by the US Forest Service must meet the requirements in FSORAG and should be connected to the area’s other major constructed features by an outdoor recreation access route (ORAR). The decision to construct tent pads or tent platforms is a local decision that should be based on what is appropriate for the setting. The surface slope of these installations depends on the type of surface used.
Read MoreFire rings, grills, fireplaces, and wood stoves at US Forest Service facilities must be accessible to all people. An outdoor recreation access route (ORAR) must connect fire rings, grills, fireplaces or wood stoves that are provided in recreation sites to the other major constructed features at the recreation site.
Read MoreThis article is about a directional sign in Columbus, GA, at a ramp leading to the river walk along the Chattahoochee River. Congratulations to Columbus, GA, for going to the extra effort of installing this sign to help disabled individuals find the accessible ramp to the accessible toilet rooms. And for those not familiar with the river walk in Columbus, GA, I highly recommend a trip to see it in person. It is magnificent!
Read MoreAll new picnic table installations at US Forest Service facilities must comply with requirements for accessible seating spaces, table clearance, slope, and surface in FSORAG. The number of wheelchair seating spaces that must be provided at each table is based on the length of the picnic table measured at the perimeter. Installing picnic table with tops approximately 33-34 inches and benches with seating surfaces approximately 18-19 inches above the ground or walking surface will provide reasonable accommodations for compliance with barrier removal and accessibility.
Read MoreAll site furnishings and constructed features that are provided in a picnic unit must meet the applicable FSORAG. Use an ORAR route to connect all features within each picnic unit. The minimum size of a picnic unit is determined by the required clear space around each feature and the type and number of provided constructed features.
Read MoreAll US Forest Service camping units and the site furnishings and constructed features in them must meet the applicable FSORAG requirements. There must also be an ORAR connecting each camping unit with the common use features that are provided at the campground, such as toilets, showers, water hydrants, garbage receptacles, parking spaces, and beach access.
Read MoreEach viewing area at a US Forest Service facility overlook and all the site furnishings, constructed features, and buildings in it, should comply with applicable FSORAG and ABA provisions. Each accessible viewing location at a scenic overlook should have a level clear space for a forward approach. Each scenic overlook and viewing area should have an accessible turning space.
Read MoreGuardrails, handrails, and grab bars are important installations at US Forest Services facilities to help prevent injuries from falls. Installation guidelines in the ABA and IBC should be followed to ensure maximize protection.
Read MoreParking spurs at US Forest Service individual picnic or camping units or at parking spaces for RV dump stations must comply with the requirements in section 3.1 of the FSORAG. The length, width, and slopes of parking spurs are critical to accessibility requirements.
Read MoreUSFS campgrounds have minimum parking space requirements for large RVs and trailers covered in section 3.1 of FSORAG. The minimum width of parking spaces is covered in FSORAG, but not the length. Areas where many recreationists use larger RVs and trailers may require providing more camping units with a 20-foot (6-meter) -wide vehicle parking area.
Read MoreOutdoor recreation access routes should be designed to meet technical requirements for running and cross slopes, surface conditions, resting intervals, clear tread width, passing spaces, tread obstacles, surface openings, and protruding objects.
Read MoreFacilities open to the public must be accessible to disabled individuals. Agencies and entities responsible for these facilities, including campgrounds and trails, should ensure that their facilities are designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with applicable accessibility guidelines. Erosion is a common occurrence at campgrounds that needs ongoing monitoring and repair. The VanHorn Roll is a solution for erosion of campground surfaces.
Read MoreThe Valuable 500 is a great initiative that should provide valuable and sorely needed jobs for disabled individuals. Disabled individuals looking for employment should contact the companies in the Valuable 500. Furthermore, disabled individuals, as consumers, should also support these companies who have committed to providing employment for disabled individuals.
Read MoreGates, barriers, and berms used to close off road or trails to motorized traffic should leave adequate width in a route around the gate, barrier, or berm, for pedestrian foot traffic. Kissing gates are a common gate design to comply with the requirement for pedestrian passage.
Read MoreA person whose disability requires use of a wheelchair or mobility device may use a wheelchair or mobility device that meets both parts of the definition anywhere foot travel is permitted in the National Forest System. Wheelchairs or mobility devices, including battery-powered wheelchairs that meet both parts of the definition, aren’t categorized as motor vehicles or mechanical devices.
Read MoreThis article lists the laws and guidelines for US Forest Service facilities. These laws and guidelines are legally enforceable on National Forest System lands. These guidelines and laws require equal opportunity; they don’t require exceptional opportunity.
Read MoreAdvocate Mike Passo has stated that more information and better accessibility is needed on federal, state and local park trails. Passo also advocates for using the ABA laws for national parks within the ADA laws for state and local parks.
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