Launches for People with Disabilities

According to the Recommendations for Accessibility Guidelines: Recreational Facilities and Outdoor Developed Areas, access for people with disabilities may not be appropriate at every canoe and kayak launch site or on every water trail. However, it is highly desirable that our regional water trail system provides a wide cross section of experiences for people with disabilities.

Launch sites for people with disabilities require parking and paths that conform to existing guidelines for handicapped access. Site designs should enable users to get into and out of a boat from a wheel chair, and ramps with a grade of 15% or greater should be designated as such, warning people with disabilities not to use the launch as an accessible route into the water.

Information about which trails have disabled access and where those sites are located in the system is especially important.

Water trails intended for people with disabilities are best located where there are no obstacles that need to be portaged around, such as dams and logjams. And a management plan for debris removal should be diligently executed for trails designated as accessible to disabled users.

Resources:

1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1996 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Recreation Facilities

1996 Design Handbook for Recreational Boating and Fishing Facilities