In our last newsletter, we shared that as part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility we would be working with a consultant and listening to the disability community to understand what access barriers exist at our preserves, what information people need to know before visiting a trail, and what we can do to make nature more accessible. We are excited to provide an update!
Over the course of three weeks last fall, consultant Freya McGregor of Access Birding, LLC, visited each of our trails and preserves to assess them and put together a report of recommendations for access improvements, along with informative trail descriptions and suggestions for a rating system, wayfinding, mapping, and website improvements. Staff joined in many of the assessments to learn how to see the trail through a different, more inclusive, lens, and to gain a thorough understanding of the reasons behind each recommendation.
As part of the project, funded by Montgomery County, staff met with members of our Trail Accessibility Advisory Council (TAAC) - a group of people living with disabilities and caretakers for disabled people - at different preserves so that we could hear and observe their direct experience of our trails. These meetings were incredibly valuable in helping us know what access needs we should be considering, and we are so grateful to the TAAC for sharing their insights with us.
Moving forward, we are committed to making sure Freya’s recommendations don’t just sit on a shelf, but are used to guide our work and improve our trails and preserves this year and into the future – and for as many people as possible.
