For anyone contemplating the renovation or new construction of a recreation facility, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may seem a difficult and confusing task. Guidelines are cumbersome and subject to interpretation, and several documents that claim to interpret how ADA applies to recreation facilities do not carry any legal or official weight.

More specific guidelines are coming, but slowly. The Architectural Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, more recently referred to as the Access Board, has recognized the need for a much clearer definition of how ADA applies to public and private recreation facilities, and is working on a specific ruling. However, it's not expected to be completed until late 1996.

In the meantime, if you're building or renovating a facility, it's important to gain a firm understanding of what the law is. In doing so, it's also important to understand what it is not.

Conceptual Phase. In the conceptual phase of any construction project, attitude is the key. It is essential that we develop innovative methods of incorporating access into aesthetics. The accommodations should be transparent to the nonchallenged or nondisabled individual. In most cases, a need for numerous internal signs of access will be unnecessary, if the whole building is accessible. Less signage, less money spent, less aesthetic detractions, and by far less negative, stereotyped buildings would be the result of this type of attitude during the conceptual phase, as well as the design phase.

    Proving the theory that, "if you build it, they will come," the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association is now the home of the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls and Chicago Wheelchair Bulls Juniors.

Design Phase. Do not leave it to the architects alone! Oftentimes architects interpret, prioritize and try to ready your minds. Guide your architect. Bring your architect to facilities which you wish to replicate, or show photos of concepts you would like to incorporate into your design. Show examples of what works. If at all possible, arrange for your architect to listen to people who have challenges.

One of the simplest techniques to use is very similar to a new concept, often used in recreation, known as "virtual reality." Take a set of blueprints in the design phase and place yourself in the position of being an individual who is visually impaired. Walk through the facility, recognizing any obstructions to a complete flow and use of all areas of the facility, both as a user and an employee. Take this very same approach as an individual who may be physically challenged and may utilize a wheelchair, crutches or walker as a method of mobility. Revisit this same set of blueprints as an individual who is hearing impaired and, once again, who is mentally disabled. All these areas may raise certain concerns to consider during the design phase of the building. Pay specific attention to those issues which may be in conflict with one another and possibly seek the input of consumer groups to help resolve barrier issues.

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It is also important to recognize where there might be conflicts between the local municipal building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines. Oftentimes these conflicts and codes can easily be remedied through evaluation and discussion of safety access issues.

"IF YOU BUILD, THEY WILL COME ...

People with limitations and challenges exist everywhere in our communities. They do not come forward readily because they know or feel their needs are being addressed by people who cannot or will not help them. This emotion gets reinforced time after time when they pick up local literature and find nothing in which they can participate or, even worse, they cannot get to a second-floor office or board room to sit down and discuss their concerns.

Recently, the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA) took a risk and proved this point. If you build it, they will come. Wheelchair athletics, while not always an exciting, thrilling experience, is a very difficult, strenuous physical challenge which requires rigorous training and dedication. These athletes need a place to play and a place to practice, just like any others. People have come out of the woodwork to participate in a variety of wheelchair sports, and now NEDSRA is the home of the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls and the Chicago Wheelchair Bulls Juniors. All sports, from wheelchair rugby to track and field, are enjoyed because people know there is an attitude of willingness.

NEDSRA has proven that all the myths associated with the use and alleged damage to hardwood floors by wheelchairs are falsehoods. Wheelchair athletes and able-bodied athletes are regularly on the floor together, on side-by-side courts. No one gets hurt, the floor does not get damaged and everyone gains experience with each other's athleticism. This concept was best paraphrased by Susan Balling, NEDSRA Assistant Director, stating "This demonstrates that we built beyond accessibility codes to create acceptability in a manner which is welcomed by the community."

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The specifics of the Americans with Disabilities Act with regard to recreation facilities has not been signed into law as yet. Opinions from the Department of Justice, Department of Interior, Department of Transportation and case law tell us that we need to follow the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) whenever possible and, more specifically, follow the intent of the law to include, integrate, mix, infiltrate — but not separate — our physical structures for disabled individuals and those who are less challenged.

Choice is the key. In West Palm Beach County, Florida, the federal courts recently determined that it is essential we give people choices. If separate, very specialized services are required in order to provide a quality leisure lifestyle, then they should be provided. But opportunity for inclusion in the ongoing services of the service provider must be an available option as well. Opportunities to accept challenge in the out-of-doors, to take risks and enjoy family outings as a whole, are all essential to this concept. The Recreation Access Committee will use the recommendations from its subcommittees to address appropriate seating arrangements for family units to sit together in ballparks and theater events.

It is critical when designing or retrofitting new facilities that we distinguish between methods of access used by accomplished athletes as well as novice users, who are just re-entering the main stream of society after experiencing significant trauma to their bodies and minds. The levels of agility, strength and stamina are significantly different for these individuals.

CONSULTANTS AND LITERATURE RESOURCES

It is extremely important when looking at new construction of recreation facilities, or the retrofitting of existing facilities, that you seek input of people in the field who are working with individuals with challenges, as well as disabled individuals themselves. Whenever possible, an organization would also benefit from speaking with the parents of children or adults who might be able to gain from your services. Local community focus groups are a great source in seeking this input. With regards to consultants who claim to specialize in the Americans with Disabilities Act and consider themselves experts in this area, tread very carefully and be aware of individuals who tend to push any specific product prior to listening to your needs and desires. A consultant should be able to facilitate the gathering of information regarding the needs of all different, challenged groups, and assist you in assimilating them into the needs of the other, less challenged, more athletically or socially proficient individuals residing in your community.

   Park and recreation professionals, elected officials, designers and architects will have to continue to work with the public to seek their input and provide them with a facility which offers everyone in our communities an opportunity to play and work together.

Regarding some of the books and girth of literature being produced at this time about the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are several documents that claim to be the interpretation of how the ADA applies to recreation facilities. They are not law. They are not an approved guideline.

The proposed rule will continue to have input throughout the next year or so. You will have many opportunities to provide input to that rule so that it reflects more specifically the needs of your community The final rule regarding recreation facilities will probably not be published until 1996. The specific dates for publication may fluctuate slightly, due to extensions of one type or another taking place in the process. In the meantime, take advantage of the outstanding literature available from the Access Board. They will provide you with a literature checklist to assist you in this process.

It is important to understand that the books and documents available provide a very valuable resource to help make good judgments and good decisions. It is not clear at the present time whether the Department of Justice recognizes our good intentions and intends not to hold us responsible for punitive damages when significant effort to make a facility accessible to all populations can be substantiated. We are definitely going to be held responsible for implementing the ADAAG to the fullest extent possible, using our best collective judgments, until such time as the more specific recreation facility guidelines become available. We fully realize that a clear, black-and-white statement, with regards to all aspects of recreation facilities, may oftentimes be desirable. It does not exist. Park and recreation professionals, elected officials, designers and architects will have to continue to work with the public to seek their input and provide them with a facility which offers everyone in our communities an opportunity to play and work together.

Lawrence S. Reiner, CLP, is the Executive Director of the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, serves on the Board of the Buffalo Grove Park District, and is a consultant to the Recreation Access Committee. This article was reprinted with the permission of Athletic Business magazine*

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