I. Awareness and sensitivity to people with disabilities

Description: This competency includes knowledge of characteristics of people with different abilities and an understanding of the diversity among and within disability groups.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes of people with disabilities.

Ability to identify the prevalent attitudes in society that stigmatize persons with disabilities.

Ability to understand the importance of terminology.

Knowledge of the functional characteristics of people with various disabilities and how these characteristics may affect participation in programs and services.

II. Laws, Regulations/Standards, Policy

Description: This competency includes awareness and knowledge of accessibility laws, regulations, and policy and their implication to park and recreation programs, facilities, and services.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of accessibility laws, regulations/standards, and NPS Policy (e.g., Architectural Barriers Act (ABA); Title V of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act; Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS); Americans' With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); DOI regulations)

III. Assessment and Evaluation

Description: This competency includes the ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment of facilities, programs, and services and to develop and coordinate an accessibility action plan.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the necessary components of a comprehensive accessibility evaluation.

Ability to locate and involve disabled consumers.

Ability to identify accessibility deficiencies.

Ability to develop a comprehensive action plan to correct deficiencies.

IV. Implementation Strategies

Description: This competency includes the ability to integrate accessibility into the planning and development of specific operational areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the application of UFAS and ADAAG in new construction, renovation, and maintenance of facilities and buildings.

Knowledge of methods and techniques for making interpretive programs and other visitor services accessible to people with disabilities.

Knowledge of methods techniques for making a range of specific types of outdoor areas accessible to disabled users (e.g., campgrounds/sites; picnic areas; hiking trails; fishing areas; boating, etc.)

Knowledge of historic preservation procedures and the ability to provide guidance on accessibility implementation in historic areas.

Knowledge of methods and techniques to enable people with disabilities to access wilderness experiences.

V. Complaint Processing

Description: This competency includes the ability to implement the official accessibility complaint process for visitors and employees.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the complaint process and ability to coordinate the investigation and resolution of official complaints.