Content Type: Story
When so much communication with the public and with colleagues involves technology, it takes thoughtful consideration to make sure what you are saying is received by your intended audience. In this presentation, Joe Zesski, Program Manager of the Northeast ADA Center, will discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it applies to the communications of state/local government as well as businesses and nonprofits. He will particularly focus on the requirement to provide effective communication to individuals with disabilities and what that means in the digital space.
Mr. Zesski will review what makes electronic communication most accessible to the most number of individuals. He will provide best practice strategies and tips for achieving accessibility in documents, presentations, social media, and other forms of electronic communication. Time will be set aside for questions and answers.
New Jersey’s natural waters from the shore to the Pinelands are a central part of outdoor community, recreation and sport, and for over twelve years Ocean Positive’s Blue Journey Unified program has been ensuring that those with and without physical challenges have ongoing opportunities to come together in, on and by the waters we love. Ocean Positive’s Bruckner Chase has developed adaptive aquatic sports programs from Australia to South Jersey and in this Access Nature Forum he will share his experiences in developing operational plans, safety protocols, outreach initiatives, and equipment resources to allow everyone to realize the fitness, health, and well-being benefits of being outdoors on and in the water together.
Back in 2023 we launched our Pinelands is for Everyone initiative to make natural spaces within the Pinelands region more accessible for individuals with disabilities. This video is one of our very first to be publicized launching this campaign. Since 2024, the campaign has grown to a statewide campaign – Nature Accessible for All.
What does it mean to build disability community and justice in the outdoors? Why is it important to have Disabled leadership, and how can allies and organizations be better partners? Join Syren Nagakyrie, founder of Disabled Hikers, for answers to these questions and more. Syren will provide an overview of disability language, models of disability, and how to think about access vs accessibility. They will share about their work as the founder of an entirely Disabled-led organization working at the intersections of disability justice and outdoor recreation, and how you can create more space for Disabled people to drive your access and inclusion work. Time will be set aside for questions and answers.
Syren Nagakyrie is the founder of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit organization building disability community and justice in the outdoors. Syren grew up with multiple disabilities and encounters numerous barriers to outdoor recreation but has always found nature to be a place of belonging. As a long-time disabled activist and community builder, Syren is committed to building a movement of Disabled leadership in the outdoors. They are the author of The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Northern California: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and foot (2024) and The Disabled Hiker’s Guide to Western Washington and Oregon (2022), both published by FalconGuides. They also work with parks, organizations, brands, and government agencies to improve access and belonging for disability community.
On this week’s Road Trip, some of the team behind the Nature: Accessible for All campaign told News 12 about a growing partnership leading a statewide effort to ensure that all people with disabilities, their families and allies can enjoy New Jersey’s natural places.
The collaborative effort between the Pineland Preservation Alliance, the New Jersey Division of Disability Services of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Edward J. Bloustein School and Duke Farms aims to increase the public’s awareness that accessible nature sites exist, to improve the accessibility of trails and natural sites, and to provide more information about these facilities.
We are leading the charge to see nature sites and trails around New Jersey become more accessible for people of varying abilities.
This cross-sector collaboration has brought together activists and organizations dedicated to the welfare of people with disabilities, public and private natural land managers, healthcare providers, and environmental nonprofits.
We have been establishing partnerships with land management, nature, and healthcare advocates. Teaming up with organizations such as the NJ State Parks Service and private land managers and preservationists. The Nature Accessible for All campaign recently received media coverage along with campaign partners at Wharton State Forest and Duke Farms about the accessibility features at each site as well as to highlight the new Nature Accessible For All website.
To view the full article follow the link below.