PROPOSED FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITY REGULATIONS TO GREATLY IMPACT NATION'S PLAYGROUNDS

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- New or currently renovated school and park playgrounds in America might need to undergo significant changes when the federal government introduces sweeping new standards aimed at making playgrounds accessible to users with disabilities.

Sometime within the next year, Attorney General Janet Reno is expected to review standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice and invite public input. The requirements will have a tremendous impact on existing and planned playground facilities, which up to now have been without clear guidance from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The absence of definitive standards has resulted in complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Justice against public playground owners, asserting lack of access for users with disabilities. Following investigations, the Justice Department has ordered municipalities named in the complaints to re-design newly installed playgrounds to include accessible surfaces and features.

The proposed government standards "are going to effect existing playgrounds and must also be a consideration for any municipalities, school and park systems planning to install or renovate playground facilities in the near future," said Jennifer K. Bowerman, director of education for the National Center on Accessibility (NCA) in Martinsville, Ind. "It's a tremendous change which will raise many questions that park directors and playground owners will have to confront."

To prepare parks and recreation professionals and playground owners and sponsors (municipalities, schools) for the new government standards, the NCA is conducting a playground accessibility conference and training course that will address all aspects of compliance, planning and modifications. The Sept. 8-10 conference will be held at the Center, which is supported by Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Deadline for registration is Aug. 4.

Bowerman said the conference is being sponsored by three of the largest playground equipment and surface manufacturers: Landscape Structures, GameTime and SpectraTurf.

In addition to recreation professionals and playground owners, those who might benefit from the training course are playground facility managers, operators, planners, accessibility coordinators and architects. Topics to be addressed include playground surfaces, accessible surface testing research, equipment and design issues, access for disabled children and adults, and a complete overview of the proposed requirements.

Participants will learn whether every item of playground equipment has to be accessible, where ramps or transfer steps should be installed, alternatives to ramps, what surfaces provide optimum access, legal issues, and creative designs for children's play environments.

Fee for the course is $250 per person, including materials and meals. For more information, contact Bowerman at the National Center on Accessibility at 765-349-9240 or 800-424-1877.