U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.
				Here's how you know we're official. **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure websites use HTTPS** A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Toggle navigation Toggle search National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Search
					Search National Ocean Service


Home
				Ocean Facts

				Topics
					Explore All Topics 
                        Arctic 
                        Careers 
                        Economy 
                        Ecosystems 
                        Geodesy 
                        Hazards 
                        International
                        Navigation 
                        Observations 
                        Ocean 
                        Recreation 
                         Sea Level Rise 
                        Story Maps 
                        Tools
                
                			Education

				
				News
				Podcasts
				Video
				Images
				About Us


1. Home
2. Recreation
3. Coastal Access

**NOAA Expands Coastal Opportunities for People with Disabilities** Throughout the nation’s coastal zone, NOAA and its partners are breaking down barriers to coastal access. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and the theme, “Empowering All,” provides a good opportunity to recognize advances and needs as they relate to coastal access. Here are highlights from two NOAA programs—the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Six people using sign language to sign the word 'Estuary'*National estuarine research reserve staff and partners fingerspell "estuary," a term that did not exist in American Sign Language prior to 2018. Image credit: Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve* Adding “Coastal” Sign Language Before 2018, American Sign Language (ASL) had no signs for “estuary,” “watershed,” or other coastal terms, which, for people with hearing loss, was a barrier to experiencing and learning about the coast. A New England coastal partnership is changing that. There are now ASL coastal terms, and instructional videos are being shared with teachers and interpreters for people with hearing loss through the Teachers on the Estuary curriculum at the Wells, Waquoit Bay, and Narragansett Bay Research Reserves in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Teachers are emphasizing watershed-focused lessons, and their students will visit one of the three reserves during the year.  Making Trails More Accessible In Puerto Rico, the first public access trail designed for the visually impaired and other disabled persons is equipped with smartphone-scannable barcodes, enabling visitors to hear information about Punta Tuna Nature Reserve. The trail emphasizes clear navigation and safety, with recorders and trail-adapted wheelchairs available. The Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program supported this initiative.
			In California, at the Elkhorn Slough Research Reserve, a new ADA-compliant trail welcomes visitors of all physical abilities, and features a flat, gentle path through a variety of habitats.  a disabled person enjoying a trail within the Punta Tuna Wetland Natural Reserve in Puerto Rico.*In 2018, Puerto Rico's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) inaugurated a system of trails within the Punta Tuna Wetland Natural Reserve adapted to be visited by visually impaired and other disabled persons. The Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program supported this initiative. Image credit: Puerto Rico DRNA*  Improved Water Access In Virginia, a new canoe and kayak launch at Carrollton Nike Park fulfills the Isle of Wight County’s aim for ADA-compliant water access to activities, including fishing, crabbing, and sightseeing. The county used Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program funds to construct the launch.
			In Mississippi, the Grand Bay Research Reserve is outfitting their new education boat to accommodate wheelchairs. An ADA-accessible kayak launch is also in the works. The reserve widened their Savannah Trail boardwalk and installed rails, boosting safety and helping wheelchair-bound visitors view more habitat.
			In California, people with disabilities are kayaking open waters and wheeling specially adapted cycles that allow them to take in the scenery along the Monterey, San Francisco, and Tomales Bays. These opportunities are made possible through Explore the Coast, a grant program created by the California State Coastal Conservancy.  Therapeutic Horse Riding Access Adventure at Rush Ranch provides therapeutic horse riding in the San Francisco Bay Research Reserve for people living with mobility challenges, special needs children, the elderly, and injured veterans.  Improved Restroom Facilities Numerous coastal zone management and research reserve programs are leading efforts to make restroom facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In Minnesota, for instance, restroom facilities at Duluth’s Park Point are now accessible to all, snow or shine. Through their design and signage, the restrooms are gender-neutral and ADA-accessible. The Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program provided funding to the City of Duluth to construct these facilities.
 **Did you know?** The National Coastal Zone Management Program is a state and federal partnership program that addresses the nation’s coastal issues. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System protects estuaries and provides educational and science opportunities.   More **Information** National Coastal Zone Management Program National Estuarine Research Reserves   **Search** Our Stories    Get **Social** Social
  **Partners:** *California Coastal Conservancy, Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program, Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program, and Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program; the  Elkhorn Slough, Grand Bay, Narragansett Bay, San Francisco, Waquoit Bay, and Wells National Estuarine Research Reserves; and Access Adventure at Rush Ranch, Boston University Graduate Program in Deaf Education, City of Duluth, Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Horace Mann School for the Deaf,  Isle of Wight County, Punta Tuna Nature Reserve, READS Collaborative, Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Solano Land Trust, and The Learning Center for the Deaf’s Center for Research and Training and Marie Philip School.*
 **Last updated:** 02/01/22 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


Feedback Provide Feedback
							Contact Us
							Report an error
 Social Instagram Logo/a>


*Science. Service.Stewardship.*
 About NOS About Us
							NOS Program Offices
							Media Inquiries
							Website Acknowledgements
                            Site Index
							Disclaimer
 More Resources Freedom of Information Act
							Accessibility
							Information Quality
							Privacy Policy
							NOS For Employees
							USA.gov
 Department of Commerce
									National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
									National Ocean Service