Empower everyone to enjoy the great outdoors.
Parks and recreation departments across the country are working hard to make their parks and trails accessible to all. The BlueDAG WayTM includes proven tools and methods for meeting the needs of people with disabilities.
Making facilities and programs accessible to everyone.
Providing accessible paths and trails is one of the greatest challenges for Parks & Rec.
When the weather gets warmer and people spend more time outdoors, many visit their local parks and recreation facilities for entertainment and exercise. For individuals with disabilities, these areas can pose significant challenges.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all public facilities be accessible. Unfortunately, many Parks & Rec departments fail to provide accessible paths, trails, parking, and restrooms. This can make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to enjoy the same activities as everyone else.
Providing accessible paths and trails is one of the greatest challenges Parks & Rec departments face due to the variable condition of outdoor environments. Making restrooms and other facilities accessible can also be problematic. The facilities at many parks predate federal accessibility requirements, and it can be difficult to retrofit them. And even when new facilities are built with accessibility in mind, barriers can still exist.
There’s an answer to all of these challenges: The BlueDAG WayTM.
The BlueDAG WayTM: a path to accessibility.
Our approach is inclusive, participatory, and user-centered.
BlueDAG helps Parks & Recreation departments assess facilities, trails, playgrounds, parking, routes, restrooms, and program areas, then track the work needed to improve access over time.
The BlueDAG WayTM incorporates tools, information management, guidelines, and best practices to light your path to ADA compliance. Our approach is inclusive, participatory, and user-centered. Parks & Rec departments such as Texas Parks and Wildlife and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department have progressed and advanced their initiatives, thanks to The BlueDAG WayTM.
Your Parks & Rec department will attract more visitors and create a more inclusive community by providing better access for all.
Update your transition plan.
Ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to your facilities, programs, and services.
Your agency may have an old transition plan, or no plan at all. BlueDAG helps you build or update that plan with field data, barrier tracking, remediation priorities, and a Living Transition PlanTM that can be maintained over time.
Our user-friendly tools and methodology make it easy to assess your current situation, identify barriers to accessibility, and create a detailed plan of action. And because our team of subject-matter experts is always up-to-date on the latest accessibility standards, you can be confident your Living Transition PlanTM will meet all requirements:
- Self-evaluation of the accessibility of your facilities, programs, and services
- Designation of a responsible employee or group to coordinate ADA compliance efforts
- Identification of physical barriers that need to be removed or modified
- Training for all employees on the requirements of the ADA and how to best serve customers and clients with disabilities
- Development of policies and procedures ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to your facilities, programs, and services
- Development of effective communication plans, including alternate formats for people with hearing or vision impairments
The BlueDAG WayTM
Get started quickly and see measurable results.
Accessibility is not just about compliance with the law. It’s about creating environments, programs, and services that work for everyone. As a BlueDAG subscriber, you’ll measure steady progress and gain useful reporting from your data in one place. When coupled with our Client Success PlanTM, BlueDAG’s easy-to-use tools make it possible for any agency to get started quickly and see results.
Help when you need it.
Transition planning can be a large project. BlueDAG can connect agencies with experienced consultants and BlueDAG-certified inspectors for field work, review, and implementation support when extra help is needed.
Funding accessibility work.
Funding is often part of the accessibility plan. BlueDAG helps agencies review possible funding paths and prepare the information needed to support ADA compliance work.