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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0222.000 1998-2000 COUNiY OF HAWAII DEI-„RTMENT OF PARKS & RECRrATION 25 Aupuni Street, Rm 210 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Phase (808) 961-8311 Fax (808) 961-8411 MEMORANT7!TA~ March 29, 1999 TO: Councilman Dominic Yagong Chairman, Committee on Public Works and Parks FROM: Juliette Tulang, Director Dept. of Parks & Recreatio SUBJECT: ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Report The Department of Parks and Recreation would like to make an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Report presentation to the Public Works and Parks Committee on April 20, 1999. We would like to have about an hour to present the draft ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Report for policies and practices related to the Department's programs and services. The presentation will be done by our consultants MIG, and Wilson, Okamoto and Associates, Inc. The final plan will be submitted to your Committee for acceptance and approval at the May 17, 1999, meeting. Please call me at Ext. 8420 to confirm if this item can be placed on the agenda for April 20, 1999. Att. Executive Summary xc: ?Chairman Arakaki Comm. No. ~ Ftile No. p R ~ Ref. To: pW.~P~~ 4y Ref. Date County ojNawaii Department ojParks and Recreation _ Executive Svmmorv ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan page v Executive Summary Introduction The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that mandates equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination in access to jobs, public accommodations, government services, public transportation, and telecommunications. The Department of Parks and Recreation of the County of Hawaii has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of its policies, programs, and facilities to determine the extent to which individuals with disabilities may be restricted in their access to services and activities. The report describes the process developed to complete the evaluation of the Depazment of Parks and Recreation activities, provides policy and program recommendations, and presents a Transition Plan for the modification of facilities to ensure program accessibility. This document will guide the planning and implementation of necessary facility and program modifications over the next yeazs. The ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan is significant in that it establishes the Department's commitment to the development and maintenance of policies, programs, and facilities that include all of its citizenry. ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Development Process and Summary Findings The process developed for preparation of the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan included program and policy review and prioritization of azchitectural barriers for removal. In addition, consultants provided training to staff to give them a background in the ADA and their responsibilities under the law. Section 3 details the ADA Self-Evaluation Transition Plan development process. Policies and Programs In 1998 the County's Department of Parks and Recreation began an evaluation of its policies and programs to determine current levels of service and the integration of persons with disabilities. A questionnaire administered to division staff provided information on the nature of the program, forms and methods used to advertise the program's services and activities, a profile of current participants, the types of equipment and materials used, testing and entrance requirements, the level of staff training, and any special modifications provided. Four public workshops were held in Hilo, Waimea, and Kailua-Kona to evaluate existing programs and services and make recommendations for improvements. Between August and October 1998, interviews and meetings were held with division heads and staff Issues concerning each division were discussed as well as general issues that affect the entire Department. Nine interactive staffworkshopswere held in Hilo and Kailua-Kona during the months of September and October 1998 to work directly with department staff in developing recommendations to improve access to programs, activities, and services. County ojHawaii Department ojPar! d Recreation Executive Summan~ - ADA Self-Evaluatio,. _nd Transition Plan page yr The published policies and practices of the Department of Parks and Recreation were analyzed to determine whether services offered or language used are discriminatory to people with disabilities. Section 4 reports the findings ofthis assessment Division meetings, surveys, and public meetings yielded policy recommendations to provide barrier-free progams and facilities. Recommendations were made for each division as well as general recommendations for issues that affect the entire department. General policies include: - customer service, qualifications for progazn eligibility, transportation, trips, public meetings, training and staffing, outreach and information, signs, public telephones, emergency evacuation procedures, purchasing, progams and facilities, ongoing accessibility improvements, and measures of success. Section 5 reports the findings and recommendations developed over the course of the progam evaluation process. Facilities The County's Department ofParks and Recreation began the Transition Plan Development process in 1998 with the initiation of a survey of the architectural barriers in parks and recreation facilities throughout the County. This review will give the Department ofPazks and Recreation an overview of the architectural barriers that prevent people with disabilities from using their parks and recreation facilities and participating in their progams. Recognizing that the Department of Parks and Recreation has limited funds and cannot immediately make all facilities fully accessible, the following criteria were used as the basis for prioritizing each county park and recreation facility: • progam uniqueness, • level of use by the public, and • geographic distribution. This ranking was used to establish a preliminary set of priorities for access improvements. The process for prioritizing barrier removal is detailed in Section 6. Complaint Procedure The County of Hawaii adopted a uniform complaint procedure to resolve complaints related to discrimination under the ADA in 1998. Section 7 details the existing complaint procedure. r n,~.o..~.~•~o-ce, Program Accessibility Tool Kit ; "3= In order to facilitate access to county recreation prog s by all citizens, the Department of Parks and Recreation will assemble a tool kit of mod cations for all divisions and address the special needs of each division. A description of th~components ofthis tool kit can be found in Section 8. The Department, with the help of the , ayor's Committee on People with DisabilitieJ will periodically review the components of the tool kit as new technologies are developed in order to ensure that the best types of modifications are included. Modifications will continue to be made on an as-needed basis, in consultation with the individual requesting modification.