USFS National Accessibility Program
Project Description:
The U.S. Forest Service and the Eppley Center for Parks & Public Lands will collaboratively complete an accessibility systems analysis, site assessments, and consult on training with the goal of enabling the U.S. Forest Service National Accessibility Program (USFS-NAP) to better determine best practices, program opportunities, and site-specific accessibility requirements, as well as identify opportunities for improvement through accessibility-related training.
The goal of this project is to improve the overall accessibility of outdoor recreation in the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) through accessibility systems analysis and assessments, which provides a general overview of standards, approach, accuracy, and outputs used in the National Accessibility Program of the USFS. This analysis and assessment will result in a report that better enables the USFS to determine approaches that will enhance accessibility to USFS outdoor recreation areas, and if agency capability can be improved through accessibility related training. To ensure that the project goals and objectives will be met, the Eppley Center's National Center on Accessibility Program (NCA) staff will manage a joint project team led by Eppley which consists of representatives from the USFS, select collaborators from outside the USFS and, members of the Eppley Center to ensure that the overall goal and objectives of the project are met. The project will require substantial collaboration between the USFS and Eppley.
The project approach for this time frame continues the activities from the previous period of performance. The team completed an on-site accessibility assessment at the Rogue-River-Siskiyou National Forest, near Medford, Oregon, and is publishing the final report of a similar assessment at the Hoosier National Forest, near Bloomington, Indiana. In addition, the team completed a review and analysis of USFS accessibility-related policy and a review of the USFS's FSAD assessment tool. This year, the project team will focus on programmatic assessment and website content accessibility review for the Mt. Ashland Ski Area in Oregon and development and delivery of online training for USFS employees.
Keyword(s):
Outdoor Recreation, Assessment, Accessibility, Professional Development,
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Territory, Geographic Area - Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
