Research Conducted by Wilderness Inquiry
Improving Access to Outdoor Recreational Activities on Federal Lands.
June 27, 2000
Greg Lais & Mike Passo
Are All-terrain vehicles necessary for people with disabilities to visit our National Parks? No, but alternative means for people with disabilities to visit natural areas is necessary, says a new report presented to Congress by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit and Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman.
On November 10th, 1998, President Clinton signed this report, Public Law 105-359, requiring the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to determine ways to improve access for persons with disabilities to outdoor recreational opportunities made available to the public on federal lands.
In recognition of its national leadership and expertise on the issue, Wilderness Inquiry was selected by these agencies to develop recommendations. WI gathered suggestions to improve access to outdoor recreation from many sources, including federal agency personnel, people with disabilities and outdoor recreation service providers. We began work on the project in December 1999, and released the recommendations in June 2000.
This is but one of many recommendations for how federal land management agencies can improve access to outdoor recreation for 54 million Americans who have disabilities. The report contains many recommendations for improving accessibility, but the primary conclusion is that accessibility for people with disabilities needs to be made a higher priority. Although progress has been made over the last 25 years, federal agency efforts are hamstrung by insufficient funding, a lack of understanding, and a lack of leadership.
The study was mandated by Federal law and conducted by Wilderness Inquiry. Download the Word Document.
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Access Board Cost Analysis of Outdoor Developed Areas
September 24, 1999
Wilderness Inquiry, Inc.
The primary goal of this document is to identify the scope of trails, picnic areas, camping areas, and beaches that are anticipated to be built or significantly altered per year in the U.S., and to determine the economic impact of the proposed accessibility standards on agencies that construct these outdoor developed areas.
The U.S. Bureau of Public Debt contracted with Wilderness Inquiry, Inc., to conduct the study requested. A 501(c)(3) organization, Wilderness Inquiry provides activities that integrate people with and without disabilities into the outdoor environment, including many that take place in the outdoor developed areas being discussed for inclusion in the American’s with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).
The cost analysis report is based on proposed scoping and technical provisions developed by the Regulatory Negotiation Committee. The most recent material developed by the Committee is available for review through the Access Board. Download the PDF Document or Word Document.
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Report to Congress on Section 507 (a) of The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990
June 1, 1992
Greg Lais
The primary goal of this document is to satisfy the requirement of Section 507(a) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
“The National Council on Disability shall conduct a study and report on the effect that wilderness designations and wilderness land management practices have on the ability of individuals with disabilities to use and enjoy the NWPS as established under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.)”
The National Council on Disability (NCOD) contracted with Wilderness Inquiry of Minneapolis, MN, to help conduct this study. Download the PDF Document or Word Document.