Provisions for the Handicapped

Throughout the area available to the public there must be displayed a no-carrier, no-impediment attitude toward handicapped people (10 percent of the total population). This will be a primary architectural responsibility but everyone must cooperate to achieve the attitude and condition in structures, impediments, repairs, etc.

The area may make recreation available for special people. It may reach out to them, allowing this to be a very special environment for certain people to gain resource benefits rarely available elsewhere. Ideas for practices and procedures that may be taken, within the limits (budgets, etc.) available are:

1. Sign letters should be raised for those with visual impairment.
2. Signs should be reached from a wheelchair.
3. Ramps should replace or accompany steps (with appropriate slope (maximum of 5 percent, stops and rails and ease of entry).
4. Training of some staff to meet handicapped needs should be attempted.
5. Consultants and agency visitors may be used to inspect, improve, and suggest innovations for the handicapped.
6. At least one trail will be developed for those in wheelchairs, who are blind, or with other disabilities. These specialized trail components may include:
   • Plants in raised beds so they can be easily touched and smelled.
   • Unusual flowers, stems, and seeds (feel, taste, and smell).
   • Diverse textures of wood, rocks, etc.
   • Separated fragrant flowers especially in combination with a wildlife butterfly garden, (so odors do not mingle and individual plants cannot be identified.) A plant garden may be designed to assure season-long blooming of fragrant flowers.
7. Several 2500-8000 ft. trails will be created. (These will vary so a user can test the shorter trail, than decide on the longer).
8. Special components:
   • landscape
   • footbridges
   • ramps
   • ropes (3/8 inch nylon)
   • poles
   • rest areas with benches
   • safety rails at scenic overlooks
   • make a tape cassette about the trail available (e.g., bird calls, sounds, history)
   • investigate a hand-operated winch to allow a disabled person and others to experience being up in a tree
   • paint (lime) a white line down the center of the trail to aid those with poor vision.
9. Provide a lift or winch to aid handicapped in mounting horses. Continually evaluate users by questionnaires and interviews and adapt system to their modal responses.
10. Do not use braille signs.

    Example of a problem:

    "Certainly it was with the best intention that the U.S. Department of Interior set up braille trails for blind people. But many blind people are coming back through their organizations saying that this is sort of an insult to what we are capable of doing. `We appreciate this attention, but really we don't need this type of assistance.' they say. Another example in the areas of blind persons are rules at some sites whereby the blind, in order to ride animals--horse or mules--must be with a seeing person. Well, again, blind folk feel that this is an insult to their capabilities of being independent; they really think they ought to be able to ride animals without a sighted person alongside." (Dr. Andrew Adams, Administrative Assistant to the Asst. Secretary of Interior for Policy, Budget, and Administration, 1977).

11. The activities on the area may be publicized as a showcase project to help lead in developing facilities designed to accommodate the handicapped. This is partially to show how recreational opportunities can be opened up in unusual areas.
12. The trail(s) developed may go to the water-edge where a retainer will be built so persons in wheelchairs may fish from the banks. A fishing pier(s) to accommodate the handicapped will be considered.
13. Toilets should accommodate those in wheelchairs.
14. Bus ramps should provide easy wheelchair entrance to tour buses.
15. Special parking zones (blue line areas and wide parking) may be provided to make wheelchair removal from car easy.
16. The staff of the area may be encouraged to participate in professional meetings, workshops, issue publications, provide technical assistance, develop educational programs, and do research (both physical and attitudinal) in the environment of the handicapped person. Special funds for project development may be sought.
17. Sports and games, wherever possible, should be accessible to or modifiable for the handicapped.
18. New sports may be created.
19. Teen-age big-brother, big-sister hikes may be arranged.
20. Sports such as archery, arm wrestling, weight lifting, rope climbing, track and field may be emphasized.
21. Special facilities and educational programs may be studied and supplied: cooking, crafts, music, plays and skits, leather work.
22. A volunteer corp of helpers and workers may be considered.
23. Parents may be actively engaged in planning.
24. Consider: Build an elaborate "monkey bar".
25. Create an adjacent area where artificial turf can be used as a play area for those that must avoid sand in their prosthetic devices.
26. Make drinking fountains accessible.
27. Establish an elaborate awards system to encourage activities and returns to the area.
28. Encourage Avi (a bird-study game).
29. Study garden spots for the handicapped.
30. Work with a night hike on which the blind aid the sighted.
31. Provide consulting services for parks and others on facilities for the handicapped.

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.