Chapter 20 GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR AREAS

1. Chapter 20 GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR AREAS 2008. 9. 4. Thu. Kim, Hee-jin

2. Contents • Introduction • Background • Historical evolution of the accessibility movement • Guidelines overview • Proposed guidelines for outdoor developed areas • Examples and ideas – UD in outdoor environment • General lessons learned for UD • Conclusions

3. Introduction land formations topography Natural area landscape

4. Background • People love the outdoors! • over 78% in US, (Teasley et al., 1998) • Outdoor recreation provides benefits to the self • People with mobility impairments also want it (Brown, 1999) UD better mental health personal development & growth personal appreciation & satisfaction Etc (social, cultural, economic, environmental )

5. Historical Evolution of the Accessibility Movement • Consideration to people with disabilities  the most recent! • The American’s with Disabilities Act in USin 1990 • The Disability Discrimination Act in Australia in 1992 • The Disability Discrimination Act UK in 1995 • The Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments and The Assistance Benefit Act in Sweden in 1993 The major problem The lack of acceptance on the part of societies • facilities and areas that are not universally designed or usable • people with disabilities  hostility, indifference

6. The Universal Design Approach • The Principles of Universal Design should be applied • The Center for Universal Design(1997) at North Carolina State University • Equitable Use • Flexibility Use • Simple and Intuitive Use • Perceptible Information • Tolerance for Error • Low Physical Effort • Size and Space for Approach and Use The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design A pressing question  Psychological barrier !

7. Guidelines Overview • The development of guidelines or standards for universal usability of outdoor environments is still in the early stages in most countries • UK  legally mandate(The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995) • Canada  Voluntary • United States  Access Board

8. Guidelines Overview • U.S. Proposed Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Area • In the U.S. the proposed guidelines for outdoor developed areas are in the rulemaking process • Final report was submitted to Access Board in July 1999 • The proposed guidelines are currently in an extensive regulatory review process • The provisions of the report include recommendations for campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, and trails. By far, the most difficult task of this committee was to agree on standards for newly constructed or altered trails. Trails come in all shapes, sizes, and locations • They have proposes covering a diverse range of interests, which include: accessing primitive environments, providing challenge, enjoying the aesthetics of the outdoors, and simply for taking leisurely walks. • Developing a single standard to cover all trails was impossible!!!!!! Protect resource and environment Preserve experience Provide for equality of opportunity Maximize accessibility Be reasonable Address safety Be clear, simple, and understandable Provide guidance Be enforceable and measurable Be consistent with ADA Accessibility Guidelines(ADAAG)[U.S. built environment standards(as much as possible)] Be based on independent use by persons with disabilities(Final Report, Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Outdoor Developed Areas, 1999)

9. All elements must be dispersed among available sites • Surfaces around accessible elements must be firm and stable • Picnic tables must provide a minimum of one accessible seating space[30 in wide, 19 in deep, and 27 in high(leg clearance)]. If the tabletop is over 24 linear ft, additional spaces are required • Fire rings must provide a clear space of 48X48 in around all usable portions of the fire ring. Fire surface height must be a minimum of 9 in above the ground • All cooking surfaces(grills) must be between 15 and 34 in above the ground/floor. All controls and operating mechanisms must comply with current ADAAG standards. The clear floor space requirements identified for fire rings are also applicable to grills as well as to wood stoves and fireplaces • Benches, where provided and accessible, must provide armrests that meet current ADAAG standards. Bench seats shall be a minimum of 17 to 19 in above the ground to facilitate transfers. Guidelines Overview • Technical Provision in the United States • Outdoor Recreation Access Routes(ORAR) • Picnic Areas • Camping Facilities • Trails An outdoor recreation access route is a path or walk for pedestrians that connects developed spaces and elements that support the primary activities offered within the recreational area • tables, fire rings, grills, benches, trash containers • the proposed guidelines require that 50% shall be accessible • of the 50% required to be accessible, a minimum of 40% shall be located along an ORAR as defined Should be accessible Should be located along on ORAR

10. General Lessons Learned for UD • All types of people derive benefits from outdoor recreation • Historically, few countries have focused on and given consideration to the concept • The seven Principles of Universal Design can be used when approaching any type of development in the outdoors: • Equitable Use • Flexibility Use • Simple and Intuitive Use • Perceptible Information • Tolerance for Error • Low Physical Effort • Size and Space for Approach and Use • The goal of universal design is to include the opportunity for a maximum number of people, regardless of ability, to participate in outdoor recreation activities.