Accessibility Assessments

Accessibility Assessments

NCA’s third party accessibility assessments help determine, what is the program? What is the intended visitor experience? What is the story? What is it that park and recreation personnel want all guests to learn, experience and take with them as a memory from their park visit? Our focus is on the total visitor experience.

In turn, park and recreation personnel are able to take the work orders and cost estimates and bundle them into specific requests for funding to improve access for visitors with disabilities.

Since our initial pilot program providing accessibility assessments to 12 small national parks in 2008, we have completed over 70 accessibility assessments in national parks and over two dozen assessments for state and local parks and nonprofit organizations.

Site and Facility Walk-Throughs

Do you need an affordable overview of your major accessibility challenges or guidance on how to improve access to a specific site? Our staff will walk through your facility with your staff, helping you see your site through a new lens, discussing access barriers that are present, ways to improve access, and allowing you time to ask questions, engage in discussion, and take notes.

Program Accessibility Assessments

Program access is at the heart of inclusive recreation. To truly make your site accessible, all of the programs you offer must be accessible. This includes traditional elements like tours and interpretive programs but also experiences like picnicking, hiking, learning from exhibits, and taking in dramatic views. Our program evaluations start with the visitor experience to evaluate and make recommendations so that every visitor can benefit from the many program offerings at your site.

Facility Accessibility Assessments

NCA staff will assess your facility for compliance with the relevant accessibility standards, guidelines, and best practices. Deliverables range in scope, depending upon your needs and budget. Options include:

  • Briefing statements that cite major barriers
  • Detailed reports that identify deficiencies and your legal obligations
  • Comprehensive reports that recommend solutions for all deficiencies complete with photo documentation, resources, and support as you work to improve access at your facility.