July 26 marks the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To celebrate, the Metro Council issued a proclamation during its regular meeting last Thursday reaffirming Metro's commitment to the ADA's principles of equality and inclusion and recommitting its efforts to reach full ADA compliance. David G. Miller, an ADA Technical Specialist and Consultant who serves on the regional ADA anniversary committee, was on hand to accept the proclamation on behalf of the local community of persons with disabilities and the National ADA Center's 2010 by 2010 proclamation Project.
The Blue lake Regional Park water spray ground is a great, handicap-accessible way to avoid summer heart. "The Metro Council is proud of its work to make our programs and facilities accessible to all people," said President David Bragdon. "We appreciate the ongoing efforts and guidance provided by the ADA and other partners and will continue working with them to improve Metro's resources and offerings to people in our community."
In the 20 years since the ADA's adoption, Metro has taken great strides to increase opportunities for residents with disabilities to comfortably live, work and play. Metro has partnered with community programs and resources for persons with disabilities to increase and improve outreach efforts, implemented and enforced anti-discriminatory hiring practices, policies and procedures and has improved ADA access within its parks, natural areas and visitor venues.
Many of Metro's parks and natural areas offer opportunities for people with limited mobility to enjoy the benefits of open spaces. Oxbow Regional Park offers two wheelchair-accessible campsites; Blue Lake Regional Park's water spray ground, fishing dock and archery sites are all handicap accessible, and the new Cooper Mountain and Mount Talbert Nature Parks offers an array of accessible trails and facilities.