A person with a disability has a unique perspective on accessibility. A person with a disability who has extensive professional training and experience working with federal, state and local access laws and codes as well as experience in recreation planning can be a prime candidate to serve as a consultant or team member in a recreation planning effort. Not all access specialists are persons with disabilities though many are, just as many human rights specialists have been persons who have experienced prejudice. Knowing the codes and the issues is the primary prerequisite for being an access specialist. In the future, with increased education and enforcement of the accessibility requirements, planners and designers who are already required to follow these standards, will become fluent in access themselves.
Standards can be of enormous help in the early years of a movement.
Once a movement has gained acceptance and momentum, planners should be encouraged to reach beyond conventional approaches and seek innovative solutions. Too often planners limit themselves to the immediate vicinity of primary facilities. Plans should allow persons with the desire for adventure to participate to the absolute limit of their stamina and abilities. Planners should consider accessibility with regard to backpackers with visual or balance difficulties, anglers using wheelchairs or crutches, and other backcountry users of all abilities. Include the commercial recreation and hospitality industries in planning.