Trails and the New Federal Accessibility Guidelines

Note: Mac users, download the webinar here.

Accessibility is closely related to better trail design. The new guidelines provide a great opportunity for all trail planners and managers to identify ways to make their trail systems more sustainable and available to more hikers while maintaining the character of the trail and reducing maintenance costs in the long term.

The program is hosted by American Trails and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the presentation made by Janet Zeller, National Accessibility Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service.

This webinar is produced in part with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whose mission is to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the major provisions of the ABA Accessibility Guidelines
• Understand the details of trails in the ABA Accessibility Guidelines
• Learn from an on-the-ground experience perspective
• Learn how accessibility relates to more sustainable trail design
• Learn how federal agencies will apply the trail guidelines for accessibility
• Understand how trails on non-federal lands can benefit from using the guidelines
• Learn about resources for accessible trails and other outdoor recreation facilities

We will focus on trails, but will briefly explain which agencies and lands are covered under these new guidelines, as trails are one of several outdoor recreation facilities covered by the new Guidelines.

Questions and answers followed the webinar. Everyone registering for the program was invited to submit questions in advance of the webinar. We'll also be following up with more Q & A based on feedback from attendees.

HOW TO ORDER: Accessibility Guidebook on Outdoor Recreation and Trails

We have received many requests for how to order the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) Accessibility Guidebook on Outdoor Recreation and Trails, which is posted on the USFS Accessibility website at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility.

Ways to order black and white printed copies are as follows:

• Use the order form on the FHWA's Recreational Trails Program Web site at:http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/trailpub.htm (fill out the order form and submit it electronically)

• Or you may email your request to: [email protected]

• Or you may mail or fax your request to: Szanca Solutions/FHWA PDC, 13710 Dunnings Highway, Claysburg, PA 16625 - Fax: (814) 239-2156

Trail Competencies

Relevant Trail Types

• Accessible Trails