NOAA Expands Coastal Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Adding “Coastal” Sign Language

• Before 2018, American Sign Language (ASL) had no signs for “estuary,” “watershed,” or other coastal terms, which, for people with hearing loss, was a barrier to experiencing and learning about the coast. A New England coastal partnership is changing that. There are now ASL coastal terms, and instructional videos are being shared with teachers and interpreters for people with hearing loss through the Teachers on the Estuary curriculum at the Wells, Waquoit Bay, and Narragansett Bay Research Reserves in Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Teachers are emphasizing watershed-focused lessons, and their students will visit one of the three reserves during the year.

Making Trails More Accessible

• In Puerto Rico, the first public access trail designed for the visually impaired and other disabled persons is equipped with smartphone-scannable barcodes, enabling visitors to hear information about Punta Tuna Nature Reserve. The trail emphasizes clear navigation and safety, with recorders and trail-adapted wheelchairs available. The Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program supported this initiative.
• In California, at the Elkhorn Slough Research Reserve, a new ADA-compliant trail welcomes visitors of all physical abilities, and features a flat, gentle path through a variety of habitats.

Improved Water Access

• In Virginia, a new canoe and kayak launch at Carrollton Nike Park fulfills the Isle of Wight County’s aim for ADA-compliant water access to activities, including fishing, crabbing, and sightseeing. The county used Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program funds to construct the launch.
• In Mississippi, the Grand Bay Research Reserve is outfitting their new education boat to accommodate wheelchairs. An ADA-accessible kayak launch is also in the works. The reserve widened their Savannah Trail boardwalk and installed rails, boosting safety and helping wheelchair-bound visitors view more habitat.
• In California, people with disabilities are kayaking open waters and wheeling specially adapted cycles that allow them to take in the scenery along the Monterey, San Francisco, and Tomales Bays. These opportunities are made possible through Explore the Coast, a grant program created by the California State Coastal Conservancy.

Therapeutic Horse Riding

• Access Adventure at Rush Ranch provides therapeutic horse riding in the San Francisco Bay Research Reserve for people living with mobility challenges, special needs children, the elderly, and injured veterans.

Improved Restroom Facilities

• Numerous coastal zone management and research reserve programs are leading efforts to make restroom facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In Minnesota, for instance, restroom facilities at Duluth’s Park Point are now accessible to all, snow or shine. Through their design and signage, the restrooms are gender-neutral and ADA-accessible. The Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program provided funding to the City of Duluth to construct these facilities.