Inclusive Parks, Inclusive Communities
Accessibility Essentials, LLC
An ADA Consultant and Training Group
Specializing in Parks and Recreation
Accessibility is key!
At Accessibility Essentials, LLC, we are dedicated to making public spaces accessible for all members of the community. Our goal is to empower parks and recreation departments and agencies to create recreation opportunities that foster inclusion, equity, equality, and accessibility. With over 35 years of experience, our team specializes in conducting comprehensive audits, developing tailored self-evaluation and transition plans, providing staff training, and offering guidance on accessibility best practices. We understand the unique challenges faced by parks and recreation departments and agencies, and we are dedicated to delivering practical solutions that enhance accessibility and promote inclusivity.
Our approach involves collaborative discussions with each client to identify their specific needs and expectations. From there, we customize our services to address the distinct challenges and requirements of each department or agency, ensuring that our solutions are practical, effective, and sustainable. Focusing on the 12 Southern US States, we are committed to supporting parks and recreation departments and agencies in creating welcoming spaces where everyone can participate fully and equally.
About Accessibility Essentials
Meet the founder of Accessibility Essentials, Karla Gray. Karla has spent her career working with people who have disabilities. She has worked as the ADA Compliance Officer for a parks and recreation department in the 15th largest city and 22nd largest metropolitan region in the US. Here she focused on developing policies related to ADA compliance and inclusion, creating inclusive practices and standards, creating and implementing training programs for departmental and county-level staff, conducting a self-evaluation of the extensive park system, and utilizing this data to create an updated transition plan that included over 150 parks, 36 indoor facilities, nine nature preserves, eight historic properties, and over 75 miles of greenways.
Karla has her national certification and state licensure in Therapeutic Recreation and her national certification as an ADA Coordinator. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. Over the course of her 35-year career, she has focused on creating inclusive and welcoming communities, and equity of access for members of the disability communities.
what We offer
ADA Compliance Consulting
Plan Reviews to Program Modification Questions, Policy Development to Best Practices, ADA Site Audits to Grant Identification - we provide a wide range of consulting structures.
Self-Evaluation & Transition Plans
Creating a Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan that provides your agency with an Action Plan for Inclusion and Accessibility.
Accessibility & Inclusion Training
Tailored training that will help your agency create a more Accessible, Inclusive, and Welcoming Community.
where we work
The Southern US
While we currently focus primarily on North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, we are also available to consult and work with parks and recreation departments, boards, and agencies in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
who We work with
Title II Entities - Parks and Recreation
We focus on providing ADA consulting, training, and support for county, city, and townships with parks and recreation departments, boards, and agencies. We can work with you on a single project or your department-wide self-evaluation and transition plan. No matter what size your community is, we want to assist you in creating an accessible and welcoming parks and recreation system where all members of your community know they are valued.
Resources
Contact us to receive:
Service Animal Infographic Sample
Infographic Training Sample
Video Training Sample
Amenity Recommendation Example
Facility Audit Example
Focusing on the Creation of Accessible & Welcoming Parks and Recreation Experiences for ALL People.
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email Accessibility Essentials
give accessibility essentials a call
704 798 6220