BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities.   The ADA has been the law of the land for more than three decades; nonetheless, this civil rights law is also ever-changing, with new regulations, settlements, case law, and technology that continuously alters the landscape of compliance.

The NRPA is committed to ADA compliance, and the MRPA strives to be a leader in diversity, accessibility, and inclusion.  By offering welcoming and adaptable recreation and sports programs, and building accessible buildings, parks, playgrounds, and amenities, we ensure that all people in our communities have an equal opportunity to benefit.

Summit Overview

Join us for the second ADA and Inclusion Summit, where we will concentrate on education and information relevant to Title II of the ADA, which covers state and local government agencies.

Who Should Attend:

This summit is ideal for state and local government employees who play a role in ensuring access, equity, and compliance — whether or not your agency has formal accommodation procedures in place.

Sessions are suitable for individuals at any level of your organization but especially individuals responsible for

1. Developing policies and procedures
2. Sharing information with the public
3. Program planners, administrators, and supervisors
4. Marketing professionals and website designers
5. Facility designers; building and landscape architects

SUMMIT EDUCATION - Earn up to .4 CEU (pending)
There are four tracks to choose from. You can attend any session within any of the four tracks.

• ADA Basics
• Programming to Support Individuals with Disabilities
• Accessible Digital Communication
• Physical Accessibility
  • Optional Cost (open to all attendees, must register by Jan 26th): $45 – Includes a Door Pressure Gauge, Clipboard, and forms and guidelines for ensuring physical access in your space

Track 1: Americans with Disabilities Act Basics

Sessions are geared towards leaders, supervisors, and managers who can use their positions to champion change.  Sessions will cover federal compliance mandates, universal design fundamentals, and accessibility best practices from other municipalities.

• ADA 101 for Parks and Recreation Managers
• Starting Small, Including All
• Universal Design – Planning Inclusive Programs from the Start
• Accessible Special Events

Track 2: Programming to Support Individuals with Disabilities

Sessions are geared towards recreation programmers who are developing, facilitating, and modifying programs, classes, and events.  Sessions will cover best practices for partnerships, communication, reasonable modifications, and positive behavioral support.

• Partnerships for Adaptive Adventure Programming
• Communication Tools / Make it Station
• Fitness for All:  Community Based Strategies
• Navigating Behavior Challenges: Using Policy to Guide Parent Communication

Track 3: Accessible Digital Communication

This track will focus on the new ADA Title II rule requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible by April 2026. Sessions will provide practical guidance on achieving digital accessibility compliance and creating inclusive online experiences for all users.

• Access for All: Accessible Word Documents & Forms
• No One Left Out: Creating Accessible Flyers and PDFs
• Accessibility Made Easy: Inclusive Practices for Everyday Communications
• Accessibility in Action: Remediation Workspace

Track 4: Physical Accessibility at your Facility

This track will explore the physical accessibility requirements of buildings, facilities, and parks under the ADA. Participants will engage in hands-on site assessments to identify barriers, apply ADA standards in real-world settings, and learn practical strategies to improve accessibility and compliance.

• Access Starts Here: A Beginner’s Guide to Conducting ADA Surveys
• Blueprints for Access: Step-by-Step Methods for Evaluating Physical Accessibility
• Accessibility in Practice: Conduct Your First Accessibility Survey
• From Assessment to Action: Interpreting Survey Data

SUMMIT OUTCOMES
This Summit serves as an educational experience for professionals in all levels of Parks and Recreation management positions to gain a deeper understanding of the intention of the ADA, and discover proactive techniques and methods that will enhance inclusive experiences for all.

Some of the goals and outcomes for the Summit (but not limited to):

• Gain knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its impact in the Parks and Recreation field.
• Acquire adaptive methods and techniques that can easily be used in programs to include people with disabilities.
• Discover ways to enhance communication efforts for all to feel included.
• Share methods to enhance collaborations and partnerships.

This ADA and Inclusion Summit will concentrate on education and information relevant to Title II. Under Title II, all state/local governments must follow the ADA regardless of their size. If you are part of a state/local government, there are many aspects of the ADA with which you should be familiar. This Summit is intended to assist you with relevant information.