OutdoorNebraska

42 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • Floating The Good Life Providing a design solution addressing the manner in which a person with disabilities uses a water access to the greatest extent feasibly and physically possible is the goal in universal design. However, the individual with a disability also will prepare for participating in the activity. Most likely, they will be recreating with an able-bodied partner or a group. To aid in the horizontal and vertical transfer, they may bring their own portable transfer bench. To simplify the drag into the water, they may have a tarp to lay on the surface to reduce scraping the bottom of their craft. Provide in your design the best means possible to allow an individual the ability to reach the water and facilitate that individual's resiliency to finish the action. If you are not certain whether the design of a landing is inclusive, go to the source. Engage with individuals who have a disability and recreate on the water to learn firsthand what they need in order to have a successful float. Your design solution will be that much better for it. When focusing on the level of ADA and universal accessibility to be incorporated into a single water access site, it is important to remember that water trails have both put-in and take- out locations. If your project is located on a lake, a single accessible location can be suitable; however, water trails on a river require accessibility at a minimum of two locations upstream and downstream from each other. Plan within your own community or adjacent ones to develop trail access locations that provide the means for a person with disabilities to be able to exit the water once on it. Figure 11 illustrates how a universally accessible site can be incorporated into a launch. Figure 11: Universal Launch Alternative Providing an accessible approach route and launch for people with physical disabilities enhances the paddling experience on the water and makes the activity available to more of the public. The approach pathway to the launch should comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a minimum width of 5' and not exceeding 5% slope (1' of vertical change in 20' horizontal change). Surface materials are to be stable and possible for a mobility assist device (wheelchair, walker, or braces) to safely travel across. Launch areas should be wide enough for the paddle craft and leave enough room for one to move about and prepare to transfer into the craft. Surface materials should be stable for safe movement and transfer. Surface materials under the paddlecraft and leading to the water may allow one to drag the craft into the water. This material can be natural sediment, beach sand, or some other suitable proprietary product available on the market. On a river trail, separate in-bound and out- bound locations are required. Providing a universally accessible launch at both locations should be carefully considered. UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBLE LAUNCH ALTERNATIVE SECOND TRANSFER bench is used during highwater events. TRANSFER AREA should be cleared for movement. TRANSFER BENCH allows one to make a vertical transition into the seat from paddlecraft. NATURAL STONE or an easily maintained material is used to establish accessible slopes across launch area. ADJACENT RAMP alternative provides additional access. RIVERBANK STABILIZATION prevents scouring at end of launch. A NATURAL SHORELINE LANDING is recommended for inbound watercraft where possible. LAUNCH MATERIAL should be extended to the bottom of river channel where possible.

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