Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.…
GMRPTC Update: Celebrating 35 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Below is a message from GMRPTC Executive Director Renee Mattson. You can reach her at renee.mattson@gmrptcommission.org.
In 2025, the GMRPTC hired accessibility consultant Bill Botten to offer guidance, education, and consultation as needed, with the goal of supporting facilities in creating more accessible elements. During a recent meeting with Joe and me, Bill observed that 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—an important milestone in the history of disability rights and inclusion.
Enacted under President George H.W. Bush, this comprehensive civil rights legislation initiated significant advancements by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability and mandating reasonable accommodations for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.
This legislation has served as a foundation for a changed landscape, but as Bill Botten would be the first to acknowledge, if one were grading ADA, it would be given a grade of C. It’s certainly made a tremendous difference, but we have a long way to go to truly make all spaces inclusive for all people. It’s incumbent upon all of us to view our facilities through the lens of inclusivity and accommodation and seek to make participation and enjoyment of our outdoor spaces available to all who visit.
Marking 35 years of ADA is a significant milestone and one that should be viewed as a foundation upon which to build, not something complete.
GMRPTC has two upcoming accessibility forums with Bill:
- September 30 from 11:30am – 1:00pm includes Picnic and Camping Facilities.
- November 12 from 11:30am – 1:00pm is a Question and Answer.
- Send us questions, anything you want addressed, and Bill will respond. The forum will be consumer-driven and provide the answers to as many of your questions as time allows.
Use this link to register for the GMRPTC Forums in September and November: gmrptcommission.org/accessibility
There is also an opportunity to attend a Free Webinar, “Beyond the Minimums: Accessibility Webinar Series Part 3: Advancing Play & Applying Accessibility Standards to Modern Playgrounds”, presented by Bill Botten and Jennifer Skulski and hosted by Playcore. The webinar is on August 27 from 1:00 to 2:30pm CST.
Follow this link to create an account and register for the webinar:
PlayCore: Live / Beyond the Minimums: Accessibility Webinar Series / Part 3: Advancing Play & Applying Accessibility Standards to Modern Playgrounds
It will look as though there is a charge, but the charge is $0. Playcore has many free webinars available, so check them out while you’re on the site.
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