Project Description:
This section summarizes the scope of the review by providing a list of key activities and deliverables provided to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (HAFE) by Indiana Universitys Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands (EPLY). The National Center on Accessibility at EPLY and National Park Service (NPS) leaders at HAFE will collaborate to accomplish the following:
Project plan: The EPLY team will develop a project plan with accompanying timeline for completing the accessibility consultation that includes a walk-through detailed analysis of all/most park-wide locations. The project plan will describe team roles and responsibilities
and deliverables. It will also identify assumptions, constraints, dependencies, risks, and issues, and provide high level schedule and budget information. EPLY and the NPS HAFE will provide signatures on the final agreed upon project plan. Duration of the contract is forecast at 12-months but may be contingent upon national, state, and/or local ordinances for pandemic or other emergency response measures.
Logistics: EPLY staff will arrange for a limited site visit accessibility barrier analysis with the goal of identifying up to three areas for detailed evaluation and reporting. The areas identified for detailed reporting will fit a set of criteria related to visitor use, impact on individuals with disabilities, timeline, and financial investment considerations, etc. The scope of work will be completed in two phases. The first phase will review all park programs and identify specific areas for further evaluation during phase 2. Phase 1 will require more collaborative with park leaders to identify priority areas for accessibility improvements based on visitation and programming, and phase 2 will be location specific and project focused. Park staff will be responsible for documentation of any discussions surrounding accessibly concerns or needs for any additional locations and/or visitor experiences.
On-site evaluation of identified areas: A minimum of two members of the EPLY team will lead the on-site review of identified areas. The evaluation will occur over a 4-day period. The review will generally include investigation of barriers to facilities, site orientation and
interpretive opportunities (e.g., exhibits and publications), relevant policies, and publicfacing activities and services, unless otherwise specified.
EPLY reviews: The EPLY team will ensure accessibility barriers and recommendations for the identified high use/high impact areas are documented, reviewing the park staff documentation for edit/revision.
Community engagement: The EPLY team will facilitate the involvement of community members and/or advocacy groups consisting of people with disabilities who will serve as contributing members to the on-site evaluation and resulting planning process. Staff from
HAFE are encouraged to establish an advocacy group, comprised of people with disabilities, to inform future accessibility needs and programming at the park. State and local park and recreation agencies, elected officials, accessibility advocacy groups, and other
stakeholders will also be engaged, in order to obtain a wide array of public input and guidance in addressing the needs of HAFE users.
WRBR requirements: Staff from HAFE will provide all necessary access to identified areas and guide the EPLY team through the site for the purpose of describing the uses of various facilities and visitor opportunities therein. Park staff will assist the EPLY team to access key areas. The EPLY team will demonstrate and instruct basic access review techniques to park staff. Staff from HAFE will document accessibility barriers, highlight accessible features (to be publicized on the park website and communications for trip planning), and relevant discussion through field notes.
Synthesis of findings and report writing: Accessibility barriers identified in the previous step(s) will be compiled by staff from EPLY. Upon conclusion of the on-site evaluation, a series of virtual meetings (3 to 5, 60-minute meetings anticipated) will be necessary to discuss findings and recommendations. Park staff will be involved in identifying realistic timelines for accessibility issues to be addressed. The report will cover a summary of the accessibility barrier review process, the barriers to participation identified during the on-site review, and the proposed recommendations for barrier removal that emerge from discussions between EPLY, and HAFE staff. Staff from HAFE will have an opportunity to review and comment on the report before final delivery. People with disabilities and/or local accessibility organizations will also be involved in the planning process.
Publication: The final report will be distributed electronically. This report will be full-color and co-branded by the EPLY, the National Accessibility Program, and National Park Service. HAFE is encouraged to utilize the document to address accessibility needs internally and/or collaboratively with local disability stakeholders, advocates, and community members. This awareness and grassroots involvement are essential to affect meaningful change and produce quality, accessible experiences for visitors with disabilities. All documents will be 508 compliant.
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
