Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.…
GMRPTC Update: All things accessibility
Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.
Accessibility Forums
The GMRTC has contracted with accessibility specialist Bill Botten, who will be working for the Commission in 2025 as we strive to advance inclusivity opportunities through forums, plan reviews, and site assessments. The first quarterly forum is scheduled for February 18, 11:30am-1:00pm. Registration is limited to 100 participants. The presentation will be approximately 60 minutes long, with 30 minutes for Q&A. Read the description below for more information, and make sure to reserve your spot today!
Accessible Play Areas
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. As a part of the GMRPTC’s forum series, this seminar will review the requirements for play areas in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design that apply to all newly designed or constructed play areas for children ages 2 and older. Bill will address the scoping and technical requirements for accessible play components, ground-level and elevated accessible routes, play area surfaces, transfer systems, soft-contained play structures, and water play components. Discussion will include the alteration of existing play areas and the requirements for routine maintenance to properly identify and address potentially hazardous conditions. In addition to providing an overview of the play area provisions, Bill will address participants’ questions and share common sources of confusion regarding accessible play areas and play area surfaces.
About Accessibility Specialist Bill Botten
Bill is an Exercise Physiology graduate of the University of Kansas. He joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000 as an accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and training coordinator for the federally designated agency that develops the accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Bill specializes in accessibility issues related to recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas, including recreational boating and fishing facilities, pedestrian trails, picnic and camping facilities, sports facilities, and play areas.
His training experience includes hundreds of presentations over the last 30 years to local, state, and national audiences on injury prevention, disability awareness, and sensitivity and accessibility issues. He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the ADA and the ABA and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines for outdoor developed areas. Additionally, he has participated in several ASTM and RESNA committees for inclusive fitness equipment and play area surfaces.
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