Affirming the Blue Ridge Parkway s commitment to access for visitors with disabilities, Gentry and McElrath worked together to bring NCA to Asheville and conduct training for a broad range of personnel. NCA s Director of Technical Assistance, Ray Bloomer, and Director of Education, Jennifer Bowerman, along with the National Park Service s Dave Park presented training sessions on the needs of people with disabilities, legislation, accessibility standards, principles of universal design, recommended guidelines for outdoor developed areas and historic sites, safety and planning concepts. Agencies can contract NCA for specially tailored courses or participate as a host site for open registration courses. In the Fall 1997 issue of Access Today, the article ASTM, Access Board and Beneficial Designs partner to develop standards for playground surfaces incorrectly implied that work and energy are equivalent. The work required to cross a surface, as measured by the wheelchair work measurement method, depends on the forces applied to the wheelchair pushrim and the distance traveled.
Energy refers to the oxygen consumed or the calories used by the wheelchair rider.
The energy required to cross a surface depends on factors such as the movement efficiency and physical fitness of the individual. The U.S. Access Board s regulatory negotiation committee on outdoor developed areas continues to meet during the winter months to come to consensus on accessibility guidelines. The committee is tentatively scheduled to meet January 31 through February 2 in San Diego and May 19-21 at Bradford Woods, Martinsville, Indiana. These meetings are opened to the public and scheduled throughout the country. Thus, park and recreation professionals affected by the proposed guidelines are encouraged to attend the proceedings when in their region.