National News Archives - Nature: Accessible for All

Greetings Nature Accessibility Advocates,

May brings a wide range of observances that highlight both the progress made and the work still ahead in advancing accessibility and inclusion. Here we address just a few chances to highlight observances for May. Among the most widely recognized is National Mobility Awareness Month, which focuses on the importance of mobility solutions and independence.

The month also includes National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, which raises awareness of communication disorders and access to critical services, as well as Global Accessibility Awareness Day (celebrated this year on May 21), which highlights the importance of accessible digital and physical environments. Other notable recognitions include Lupus Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and ALS Awareness Month, each underscoring the diverse needs that must be considered in inclusive design.

With so many important observances throughout the month, May serves as a powerful reminder that accessibility is not one-size-fits-all, and that continued collaboration, education, and action are essential to building environments, programs, and services that work for everyone.

Rally your community. Build an inclusive world.

Join Move United in honoring the legacy of disability rights champions such as Judy Heumann and Eli Wolff, #NationalAdaptiveSportDay is an annual day of advocacy for disability inclusion in sports and recreation.

April 28 marks the anniversary of the signing of the regulations enforcing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the landmark civil rights legislation that barred discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, including sports and recreation.

NationalAdaptiveSportDay advances inclusion in sport while highlighting the power and purpose of the disability community.

Here’s how you can celebrate:
• Post on social media and tag #NationalAdaptiveSportDay.
• Become an ally. Upload your logo to here.
• Rally people to spread the word in your community and network.
• Host an National Adaptive Sport Day event.

More great news for those advocating for more accessible trails and green spaces for passive recreation. U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver introduced the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, a bill which would dramatically expand federal funding for greenway path projects.

Greenway paths help connect communities to natural spaces and parks, and the bill would specifically work to create equity in access to recreation and the outdoors.

You can view the main story – HERE

Rails to Trails Conservancy partnered with the American Hiking Society, American Trails, the League of American Bicyclists, People for Bikes and the Safe Routes to School Partnership —representing national, state and local advocacy organizations, local elected officials, and businesses—for a federal letter supporting trails, walking and biking. The letter calls on Congress to include a fortified Transportation Alternatives program. It also asks Congress to maintain broad eligibility for trails, walking and bicycling across transportation programs, as well as existing provisions for safe walking and bicycling, in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization.
The coalition is encouraging individuals, public and private organizations to share the final version of this letter with local members of Congress to increase visibility and showcase the nationwide demand for programs and policies that support walking, biking and trail infrastructure. You can find the letter and more information about how to engage Congress here.

Here is a great resource for land managers seeking to complete trail and nature site accessibility improvements. The document provides ADA accessibility tools to determine if the surface is improved to a firm and stable surface. Offering low-cost, sustainable solutions for the improvement of ADA-accessible trails, more people will have access and connectivity will increase in our community.

This study outlines the long-term benefits of using naturally occurring, binders applied topically to unpaved trails and discusses the expected increases in firmness and stability.

Full article – http://National Institute for Transportation and Communities – ADA Accessible Trail Improvement

Hello Nature Accessible for All advocates. I wanted to share with you this article from The Guardian from the end of last year. It covers a story focused on disability accessibility in the outdoors. Last year, Soar Experiences, offered free outings at Mohonk Preserve in New York State The small non-profit tour operator services people with limited mobility.

Learn more about the event and the outcomes in the full article – ‘Everyone said it was impossible’: disabled hikers find freedom through off-road wheelchairs | Disability | The Guardian