At the Chicago Park District, it's our goal to ensure that every Chicagoan, regardless of physical or cognitive limitation, has access to facilities, can participate in programs and events, and above all, enjoys our parks.
Accessible Facilities
The Chicago Park District is committed to making its facilities accessible to and usable by all patrons and visitors. This commitment is ongoing, proactive and intended to meet the needs of a diversity of individuals with disabilities.
Recent entrance and bathroom modifications at multiple field houses have enhanced access for wheelchair users and others with mobility limitations.
More than 100 revamped playgrounds all provide an accessible soft surface base and play elements that meet or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) minimum standards. Go here for more information.
All swimming pools either have a portable lift, easy access stairs, a zero depth ramp or a combination of these amenities. Go here for more information.
More than 20 field houses now feature a fitness center with at least two pieces of wheelchair accessible fitness equipment, and the recently opened Douglas Park Fitness Center is outfitted with a majority of wheelchair user-friendly equipment. Go here for more information.
Out on the lakefront, 16 of 31 Chicago beaches have an accessible beach walk. These "walkways over the sand" allow all patrons young or old, with or without a physical disability or mobility limitation to stroll all the way to the water's edge with ease. Go here for more information.
Two wheelchair accessible softball/baseball fields offer youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in "America's pastime". On the North Side, Cubs Care Field at California Park (3843 N. California Ave.) is home to two adult wheelchair softball teams and the Buddy Baseball program for elementary school youth with and without disabilities. On the South Side, the White Sox Fields complex at Mount Greenwood Park (3724 W. 111th St.) features a youth-sized, soft surface field in an integrated setting with two grass softball fields.
The Park District's first fully accessible community garden was completed in 2008 at Chase Park (4701 N. Ashland Ave.). The all raised planting beds design provides any gardener easy access to the soil. The 14 beds and the entire surrounding ground surface were constructed with recycled plastic timbers to provide both accessibility and an environment-friendly "green" space.
In addition to the accessible facilities and improvements listed above, the Chicago Park District is in the midst of a major ADA capital improvement plan which will provide substantial barrier removal and accessibility upgrades to 35 buildings and amenities at 26 more parks across the City.
Special Recreation Programs
Staffed Special Recreation programs and events are offered throughout the year at more than 20 parks across the city. A wide variety of programs are available to meet the varied needs and desires of individuals within and across disability groups. Providing options is our goal, so patrons can choose between and among Special Recreation and mainstream program offerings such as adaptive sports (beep baseball, sled hockey, football, sailing, etc.), camps (special recreation day camp & sports camp, camp sign for deaf & hard of hearing), social club and Special Olympics programs.
For more information on our special recreation programs call 312.742.4777 or 312.747.2001 (TTY).
Reasonable Accommodations
The Chicago Park District is committed to promoting positive participation and a quality experience by providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request. Accommodations are based on individual needs and may include:
Sign language interpreters
Assistive listening devices
Information in alternative formats (e.g., large print or Braille)
Adapted equipment and techniques
Inclusion aides
Accessible golf carts (single-rider) available at all courses except Jackson Park
Our goal is to provide recreation opportunities in settings where people of all levels of ability can interact and enjoy their leisure time.
To request an accessible golf cart, notify the course when making your tee time. Go here for additional golf information.
To request all other accommodations, please contact us at accessibility@chicagoparkdistrict.com, or 312.742.4298 or 312.747.2001 (TTY). Please make sure to contact us at least two weeks prior to the date these services/items are needed (minimum 72 hours advance notice for sign language interpreter requests).
Compliance
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Chicago Park District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or admission/access to programs and activities.
ADA Complaint Reporting Procedure for Patrons and Visitors
For more information about the Chicago Park District's procedures for reporting an ADA complaint.
If you experience problems with the accessibility of our website, please contact us at accessibility@chicagoparkdistrict.com, or 312.742.4298 or 312.747.2001 (TTY).
# Source: http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/cpd.accessibility-page/
1 comment:
Thank you for your informative article and discussion. I have been looking for information on access equipment and in particular a scissor lift and boom lift. This discussion has solved my concerns. I am very grateful.
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