The accessibility standards for playgrounds have been the minimum requirement for all newly constructed and altered playgrounds for 13 years, yet their application remains inconsistent and often misunderstood in new playground designs. Ensuring compliance while fostering inclusive and engaging play experiences for all requires a deep understanding of both the ADA Standards and ASTM public playground safety requirements. Join Jennifer Skulski and Bill Botten, both national experts in the accessibility of playgrounds, as they address some of the most complex and frequently asked questions surrounding playground accessibility. This session will explore the practical application of accessibility requirements, clarify common misconceptions when integrating new play trends, and examine the ongoing challenge of selecting and maintaining accessible playground surfacing. Attendees will gain actionable insights to enhance accessibility and inclusion in playground design beyond the minimum standards. This webinar includes real-time captioning. Video remote interpreting (VRI) is provided upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

People of all ages and abilities have the fundamental right to access the benefits of quality parks and recreation. This panel will feature disability advocates, parks and recreation professionals, and accessibility experts who will share their perspectives and create awareness about common barriers to inclusion. Gain insightful strategies and considerations to help ensure facilities, programs, and services are designed to create a positive, welcoming environment, and staff can confidently welcome individuals with disabilities and strengthen community connections. This is the second session of a four-part webinar series, Beyond the Minimums. This webinar includes real-time captioning. Video remote interpreting (VRI) provided upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks before the live webinar date.

Access to Recreation - Chapter 10 - This webinar will review scoping and technical provisions for recreation facilities addressed in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Chapter 10). These minimum requirements ensure access to a diverse group of recreational facilities. The requirements for amusement rides, recreational boating facilities, exercise machines and equipment, fishing piers and platforms, golf facilities, miniature golf facilities, play areas, swimming pools, wading pools, and spas, shooting facilities with fixed firing positions, and sports facilities will be addressed. This is the first session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar includes real-time captioning. Video remote interpreting (VRI) is provided upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

Providing a truly inclusive play or park experience requires thoughtful planning and attention to ensure that site furnishings and amenities are more usable by more people, including those with disabilities, to the greatest extent possible. The placement or location of site furnishings and amenities and their operability is key to providing an inclusive play and park experience. Site amenities and design considerations within the built environment should be integrated throughout park destinations to support inclusive, intergenerational play and recreation. Scoping and technical guidelines for benches, picnic tables, grills, waste and recycling receptacles, picnic pavilions, drinking fountains/bottle fillers, telescopes, docks and piers, fitness equipment, toilet rooms, signage, and temporary events will all be addressed. This is the fourth session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar includes real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI) upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

Meeting the minimum accessibility design standards for play and recreation areas is the first step to ensuring everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park and play area facilities. During this session, a panel of individuals with disabilities and professionals who support persons with disabilities will discuss features that can “make or break” play and recreational opportunities for individuals with autism or who are neurodivergent or have developmental, physical, sensory, or communication needs. Strategies, design elements, barriers, and accessibility will be discussed from their unique perspective. We hope you will join us for this look beyond the minimum accessibility design standards to discover how your community can make your park and play areas more inclusive for everyone. This is the third session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar will feature real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI).

People of all abilities should have access to the many health benefits aquatic play and recreation environments can offer. Well-designed aquatic facilities provide opportunities for rehabilitation, exercise, socialization, play, rest, and relaxation for community members across generations. It is critical to consider the needs of individuals with disabilities when planning, designing, and programming these environments. This session will review provisions in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design that address independent access to swimming pools, water play destinations, splash parks, and spas. Accessibility Specialist, Bill Botten, will review the application of the requirements for aquatic facilities, as well as the scoping and technical requirements for pool lifts, sloped entries, transfer steps, transfer walls, and accessible stairs. Additionally, the session will provide suggestions to go beyond the minimum requirements to enhance inclusive aquatic recreation facilities, including lazy rivers, wave action pools, water play elements, and other site amenities to support the diverse needs of all visitors. This is the second session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar includes real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI) upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

Equitable and safe access to parks and recreation facilities begins with firm, stable, and slip-resistant ground surface materials along accessible, connecting routes. Thoughtful planning ensures people who use mobility devices or other adaptive equipment can move independently from site arrival points and throughout each park, play, and recreation setting. This session will address requirements for exterior routes and surfaces in outdoor recreational settings and offer design considerations to go beyond minimum compliance to make certain everyone has the ability to participate. Accessibility Specialist, Bill Botten, will review best practices for planning accessible routes, sidewalks, shared-use paths, routes to and within recreation facilities including play areas, sports fields, outdoor recreation areas, trails, and beaches. This is the first session of a yearlong four-part Beyond the Minimums accessibility series. This webinar includes real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI) upon request. To request video interpreting services and/or resources in an alternate format, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the live webinar date.

Meeting the minimum accessibility design standards for play and recreation areas is just the first step to making sure everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park and play area facilities. During the session, a panel of persons with disabilities and professionals that support persons with disabilities will discuss features that can “make or break” the recreational opportunity for persons that are low-vision or blind, persons using mobility devices, persons who are hard of hearing or deaf, persons with developmental disabilities, and individuals that are neurodivergent. Strategies, design elements, barriers, and accessibility will be discussed from different viewpoints. We hope you will join us for this look beyond the minimum accessibility design standards to discover how you can make your park and play areas more inclusive for everyone. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. Participants may ask questions during the live session.

In order to ensure equitable use by all, aquatic agencies and facilities must understand, embrace and respond to inclusive guidelines and programming, align to community needs, and implement innovative ways to offer environments that serve diverse individuals. This session will explore evidence-based health benefits of water immersion, share meaningful facility design strategies, and review ADA and ABA guidelines to make your facility a place for everyBODY to enjoy.