On ADA’s 35th anniversary, it’s time to debunk “disproportionate cost”
Signed into law 35 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities, including recreation. Parks and recreation buildings and spaces, such as community centers, athletic facilities, public parks, and more, are intended to facilitate leisure, entertainment, and recreation for all residents, and play an essential role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for entire communities.
However, only 52 percent of people say their local parks are accessible to all. It’s not surprising, given a significant portion of parks and rec buildings and spaces predate the ADA. Even facilities constructed post-ADA are often not optimally accessible. Common issues include physical barriers (for example, pathways and trails lacking smooth, even, accessible surfaces for wheelchairs and other mobility aids); communication barriers (like lack of braille signage, audio descriptions, and assistive listening devices); and inadequate facilities (such as outdated bathrooms, lack of adaptive playground swings or picnic areas, and tables that don’t accommodate wheelchairs).
