By Jan Lee
Handicapped-accessible parks and trails exist in most regions of the
United States. Longer life spans and improved treatment for disabling diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and arthritis have increased demand for handicapped-accessible parks and trails.
Significance
Handicapped-accessible facilities broaden the availability of services and features to the public by removing physical barriers that would otherwise prevent a person with limited mobility from enjoying access.
Features
"Accessibility" is often broadly interpreted. Some parks may have limited number of wheelchair-accessible features that were installed after the park's creation; newer parks may have been constructed to meet American Disabilities Act requirements, and would have a higher standard of accessibility.
Types
Handicapped-accessible park facilities are varied: they may include paved trails that support wheelchairs, rustic unpaved trails that accommodate both wheelchairs and canes or walking paths with sturdy guard rails for people with canes.
Misconceptions
"Handicapped-accessible" is often misleading. For example, the feature described may be wheelchair accessible, but not accessible to crutches or walkers.
Interesting Fact
One of the stipulations of the 2009 stimulus bill, the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," is that state and city projects that receive federal funding under that bill must adhere with all laws, including the ADA, Architectural Barriers Act and the Rehabilitation Act, all of which oversee accessibility.
About the Author:
Jan Lee has been writing articles for approximately 20 years. Lee's articles and content have been published at Suite101, Examiner, BCAdventure, Columbus World Travel Guide and Go Northwest and appeared in publications in Canada, United States and Mexico. Lee received her Bachelors in Spanish from Simon Fraser University, Canada and is a 2004 Society of Professional Journalists' winner for Editorial Writing (Greater Oregon Chapter).
