Closing Remarks & Panel Discussion: Park Accessibility

9:17PM Dec 6, 2023

Speakers:

Keywords:

disability

accessible

accessibility

parks

work

detroit

access

fishing

activities

city

programs

experience

question

event

important

people

community

rec centers

trails

restroom

People lovely to see some familiar faces.

And great to be here and

beautiful Maryborough because it's such an amazing, amazing campus on your stepping chain in the states and senate district three, which is adjacent to the district of Oregon was just a large chunk of Detroit's as well as Highland Park Hamtramck and a bit of Macomb and Oakland counties. And I'm also a mom of a four year old and an eight year old who really love parks. So I just love the fact that we've got such an amazing coalition here in the district marks Coalition. We go to parks all the time, my kids love visiting the parks across this whole city. And wherever we are, they're always noticing and other people's parks and parks that they want to check out. Until I really feel like so many parks have come such a long way in part due to the work that you all are doing. And just recognizing how much more interest there is in parks right now as well. As the resources being dedicated to our parks is really remarkable. So really, I mostly came to just thank you for the great work that you're doing. Because I know that while our our state and our city had been investing in parks all my time, so it's really community members who are the ones keeping parks up and making parks into what they are. And so you all are the ones who are making that happen. Do you want to really polish up the fact that in the most recently passed budget, we did include some money for the parks Coalition, which is very exciting and hoping that we can continue to ensure that at the state level that there is an awareness of how important parks are and really continue to place an emphasis there because of budget is a reflection of our values. So really making sure that we're continuing to invest dollars into the places that our communities love and grow in is really, really important. So I think that my kids really love parks because one is she has to just get outside and run around and play. Also, parks are as we all know, places where people gather and where people can create community and where people can become friends. I mean, literally I just, I mean we keep talking about my two kids, but it's because literally anywhere we go my kids are very, they're shy at first, but then they're actually very social and they love to make new friends and perks. And so that's one of the things that I love about parks is that random people who don't know each other can just become acquaintances or friends at these at these amazing community spaces. And it's also a way to make sure that couples are getting outside getting exercise and providing space for community members to meet. I don't know how many meetings have been to add parks in under pavilions in various neighborhoods, and that makes things possible for our neighborhoods to continue thriving. So. So thank you for the work you're doing. I am just really honored to be here, but I'm really excited that your last panel is about parking accessibility, because that's such an important topic and I know that some parts are better than others in terms of accessibility, but I'm hoping that that's an area that we can continue to improve on. I worked alongside the Detroit disability, our organization quite a bit on the state level policy issues and other things that are really always looking to make connections and I know that they have a national organization as well to be able to try to figure out ways to improve accessibility. So looking forward to try to listen in a little bit to the next panel. So thank you, thank you, thank you. There's really my main message just grateful for the work that you're doing. Really a firm believer, although I'm a public servant. I really fully believe that a lot of the work that we are able to do is actually because of the work that you are doing in the community. So from my thinking, thank you so much.

Thank you so much, Senator. Accessibility I just want to say thank you all for being here, this final panel, but it has been a very full day of information gain. I know there's been a lot of new connections, but I'm also excited about just seeing people in person. So many of us, you know the world is small. So we see a lot of us on email chains and zoom in. This is a rare opportunity to see everyone settled thank you guys for being here second round.

Just gonna start having each of you please introduce yourself introduce the word

Hey, my name is Alexis Brooks. I am the Executive Director of Austin City 313. We are a nonprofit that's based in Detroit. And we provide activities and social programs for youth and adults with autism as free as possible, but our main goal is to happens in the city of Detroit and build autism awareness.

And, sir, when I entered the outdoor recreation AT specialist at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, so I go around the entire state of Michigan, making our recreation activities accessible for folks by using the systems analogy.

My name is Marissa Spain. I'm with the city of Detroit office and disability affairs and we deal with general disability advocacy and policy in the city and for the office. I'm actually a certified EEG coordinator and earlier this year I started a YouTube channel and an Instagram showcasing my mother's disability and accessibility of all those cases.

You guys for the introduction. This is obviously such an important conversation and this panel today is actually an extension of a conversation that I've had earlier this year. And it just plays a big and meaty part where we talked about what nudies right where we talked about accessibility and parts. And so I'm just curious if any of you would like to share what the parts specifically offered that special to them. That is an opportunity for the accessible enjoyment and he's

preaching to the choir in a room like this when I say access to the outdoors is so important and restorative for everybody. And I think accessibility and mentors is so important because it's important for everyone. So you know, historically if you think about outdoor spaces are not exactly the most accessible for people with disabilities. If you think about an outdoor person, you're not looking at me, right? And so that's what I want to do is to change that narrative and make it so that when we're designing our spaces, or spaces, we're thinking of people working so that when they taught you like we expected that you were coming and we cared about your experience

I want to add on to that this like Finn had been inclusive from the start not to be made to feel like okay to me, like a lot of things we'll set aside time but it's nine o'clock in the morning. And a lot of our kids have sleep problems, you know, so they haven't been asleep. So if they're doing it, but it's like at a bare minimum rate. And it's kind of, you know, so good when I made the whole experience inclusive because I've especially that's often one of 36 You know, children in Michigan have autism yesterday. And so it's somebody everybody here probably knows a grandchild neighbor, you know, that even somebody with autism in your family and we all have to learn how to be around each other so they can participate because it doesn't just affect that one child and affects the whole family. And a lot of times their families feel like they can't go there. You know, and and they have you know, good the behavioral problems they may have they sometimes shamed or they might have they don't want to deal with people asking questions. So we have to all get used to being inclusive for all types of abilities.

You don't want to touch on what you started with, which was something that symbolizes start time in the morning. One of the questions I had for you all, what are some of the most overlooked you know, accessibility needs and desires but also, if you have any, are those combined with kind of low hanging fruit what is really often overlooked and also can be fixed easily by you know, the people the stewards in this room. That budget or anything like that

so, first thing is to vote the chair, so I'll just talk about it from that perspective, I guess. Something that I think is that you don't really think about until it's taken from you is accessible bathroom. And so having commercial accessible, you know, accessible, clean restrooms at parks I think is really so important. Because like, I am also advertising the access availability of your partner your space, you know, online and people with disabilities can't find you know, access needs that they need. Like you know, we have an accessible restroom or this program will have options available when disabled people and so we'll add it to the division of society if you don't get here

so but yeah, I would definitely if I were to

advocate for accessible restrooms started as a coach to review and I've got some really good ones and some not so good one. So that was definitely what I would suggest and like accessible trails and things like that.

And to piggyback off of what you said it's really helpful for myself. Woman if I'm able to map out so beforehand the research to say okay, and then on the back end was here, I know the playgrounds here I know that this pond this year, so I can go fishing here and it just happened the map of New York.

Easy fix is to offer my program is using the cards and offer the housing professionals come into the rec centers and the parks to support the families just in regular activities and programs that I provide for my kids are super sporty. And I have been to the Little League games and things even I love to add games on ice skate and you know for those things that we kind of take for granted. I live in those days is coming from me and a teacher and knowing that I had all of these parents that can't do these things because it's not the Parks and Recs haven't had the liability or like they'll have those trained professionals. They're offering it and those things that they're in the suburbs and you need to utilize our professionals that are here to bring those same time activities here.

Before we get to the presentation, one more question. For all of your organizations obviously we could talk about the sport. There's plenty of education that's needed on this topic. So for someone who is a part steward or is putting on an event, or working on something saying I don't have this education, but I want to make sure this event is accessible. I want to make sure this infrastructure is accessible. How do they connect to your organization's and your companies and you know how to get into

Alright, so one way to do that is invite me to any events. So we do have E bikes in our inventory for folks to test out and all of our services are free organization. So adding the bikes can be really helpful for folks who might have a difficult time going long distances. We also have accessible fishing stuff I go fishing is a major thing in the Detroit area. So if you're having a fisherman but I mean you're more than welcome to reach out to me and I'll come I'm always ready to fish. And just reach out and see what assistive technology is available to make it an inclusive space for folks who might have a difficult time doing certain activities.

Yeah, I would definitely suggest well as far as, like Yeah, inviting me. If it's something related to the city, you can reach out to the Office of Disability affairs. And we can see if we can help you out. But I would suggest like seeking out disabled people and organizations like Gotz have the expertise to help you. Center accessibility in the planning of your event. Like listening to the experiences of people asking their advice and what you should do is probably the easiest way to make sure that you're including all the access that you need to also I would suggest like at your senator sending out a form to like register for an event like online. You could include a section on there like to have an analysis needs. So if someone needs to do some work or they get requests that are like if I need an inaccessible restroom and like please no stairs like I can request that wonderful organizations in Detroit that you can reach out to that didn't these issues

so was that for like a city and you were turning it around for an event and

I'm not sure about the printing office. We don't feel it in my office. I think there was a session earlier if you want to talk to whoever it is that's that wouldn't be our office. I don't know I wouldn't be our office. But if you have like a My office is housed under the Civil Rights inclusion and opportunity office if you had like a discrimination complaint or like an accessibility issue in the city that you wanted to be looked after you can contact Dr.

Johnson audience are we if you guys have questions about accessibility additional resources here in the cities

Yeah, I have a question I've had for a long time. I've

also hosted events where you have a sign language interpreter, who I respond, fascinating to just watch and all of that. What I'm curious about is if you're an organization, you don't have a lot of money for an event, or is that the highest and best use of constant need that kind of sign language? Are there other disability things that goes with your question? Are there other disability things that we should be thinking of? That would make things more welcoming? That that that instead of just to fall into you need a sign language interpreter? I sort of feel like a lot of times that's the default at an event. What do you think should we be thinking about?

Yeah, so I would definitely say I would definitely see if, if it's like a public event where you're just inviting the community from without registration, I would say yes, but it's 100% closer to the top of the list of things that you need to have because like I said, and to advertise that because like I said, if you don't have that, like the deaf community will come. And three out of the 100 people in Detroit are deaf. or hard of hearing. Now, they don't know us ASR. But either that or live captioning is also another way to be video. People that are facing or people that lose hearing later in life. They might not know ASL, but they keep reading live captioning so I would definitely use like ask the people that are coming if you're doing registration like do you have access needs? Like ASL captions, user access dietary news. Things like that. They actually have enough people coming in definitely need to provide access.

I know for a lot of the folks that have community centers as community centers do you have a pretty strong focus on like Senior Services?

Do you know what the stats are for

like how?

What percentage of like the

like access limited population in Detroit would you say are like seniors

I know this number of you must remember that 20% of the population overall disabilities number is skewed towards population. acquired disabilities as we get older, but I don't know the exact numbers. But if you want to know you can go to the Census Bureau website. They have a lovely table that you can filter for all kinds of stuff. And you can find out that number Exactly. Sit down by like age groups and the type of disability and stuff like that to really lead to Hello, I'm curious about either your favorite parts park spaces or programs that you would suggest to look towards

so to speak on the presentation, I've used Kemeny Rec Center, which is a record of Sriman Schaefer, which is kind of Southwest Detroit is especially for trying to have access to the activities like that off of major freeways and it touches a lot of different communities and cultures in our area. The new center that is built at four is often a water basket, were planning to have our crown this year. So really, it's about like the tiny nose favorite places. It doesn't expose people to different activities and different areas. A lot of people don't even know a lot of parks and rec site. A lot of they assume that Detroit has everything's broken down into so many things that are brand new and developing here that when we have activities we go out on community items we've been in Midtown you know, a lot that I can't wait to begin to add board and have that problem off of the water's gonna be viewed and is that and that and that's the whole point is that show showcase the beautiful season Detroit as it was in our community that we do have free access to live free and low cost access to is about giving the families that support and experience that is awesome was highlighting highlighting the city and those things so we can discover all the wonderful things that are happening

Hi,

I'm just curious if any of you any of you could speak on lack of transportation as a barrier to accessibility?

Yes.

Again, I'll speak from my position as administrator users. Transportation is like one of the most difficult things the transportation system in in Detroit and in the suburbs is not the bus system isn't conducive to people with disabilities. And you know, we do have paratransit, which is the auxiliary service that gives door to door rides to people with disabilities. But I'll tell you I tried to sign up for that this summer. And it's not a realistic TV news. Because we have to be within a certain amount of distance robust from a fixed route bus stop, and my husband's outside of that zone. So I had to walk half a mile to a pickup site and then have a half hour pickup and then getting onto the bus and how many other people that have different stops to go. And then in order to go into the city because I worked on time, I needed to have a transfer point which is another half hour pick up window and you know, I use an hour care me and brain don't really mix. So it like waiting outside like it would take me two hours just to get to work and then back again. So if we're thinking about like, I don't have time for that. And I think that the transportation systems in our region, and I mean, the United States, in general within our region really kind of don't take into account that the disabled people have places to go, like things to do is to be on a timeline. So I'd like to get your own accessible man, like the ramp in it. is trying to get on right now and it's over $100,000 So like it's highly cost prohibitive. So yeah, and if you're a person with disability already more likely to be economically disadvantaged. So it's just transportation is a big issue and if anyone has answers, I'd

love to hear Yeah.

I was wondering if you have any ideas or tools that parks can use to make parks and playscapes more accessible for people who have low vision or having visual impairments?

Yeah, so I don't have a ton of experience with the video community. But I do know from people from the community I have talked to you that like tactile elements, and when engaging other senses is really important for people that have those kinds of visual related disabilities. So like if you're on a playground, you know, like even something like a sandbox can be really something that you can easily implement that would be really accessible for a child monitor division. Like tactile cords. Tactile signage is a really big thing. Like if you have a map, like a treadmill or something, you know, like a tactile element or version. audio descriptions anyway to engage in some against site related smells, touch sounds really good. Export.

A lot of people have cell phones. So using the QR codes is a great way to do that as well. If you do have a Mac or any type of print, a billboard or whatever it may be QR codes are great for that as well.

Hi, I'm Sally Machala friends. One of the things that we talk about all the time we're trying to establish a lot of nature trails and a lot of these trails are steep inclines, they're not actually even that easy for people who have knee problems to negotiate. I'm just wondering if you have any advice on whether you should just take your option of some of these trails and make it really, really accessible? To do that? What will they do? And of course, now you're gonna get with some of these issues about transportation. We even bring a trail and somehow I mean, even though we have three bus lines that go to the park, they don't necessarily go to the trailheads for bus lines, but that's fine. Anyway. So I just wonder if you would have any recommendations about integers accessible

Yeah, so I think what's most important when it comes to Trails is like having information available for people to read and like just want to know what's available at your site so that they can decide whether or not to go. I know I personally would love to go to a park but like none of the trails are paved, so it wouldn't be really easy thing for me to do. But yeah, I don't have that. So like I personally use all trails, the app to go in, in Lincoln. Yeah. And like you said earlier, having like a map of the tree and running along it is what's the grade? What's the substrate like? Is it going to be muddy and like, things like that really important? So that was the easy and low cost to implement or just be like, advertised when it's blank. And then obviously, like painting trades or making like a harder surface would be best for wheelchair accessibility. But I understand that that's pretty expensive and not as easy for everybody to do. Yeah, just information information is power so that

my name is

Boris Wayne County Conservation District and this question is for you. We're going to talk about fishing. And he talked about making fish these are their sites or their parks that are Detroit that are accessible for the handicap lot people like to fish in Detroit because they need it sometimes economically. put food on the table. So are there sites that are accessible to the Handicapped to go fishing? And are there any signs posted in those areas that have fishy sites that say don't eat fish? Or eat fish? Because P FOSS?

What is a great question. So I am not familiar with this area. I live in your thumb. And so that is a great question. I would assume that there is signage around saying do not eat the fish. I am hoping that there are accessible places but like a lot of things accessibility, they could say that it's accessible and they could say there's just one set to get down to go fishing here. As someone as a wheelchair user that's not accessible for somebody. So um, I know that at some parks around the country or state of Michigan that I went to, they will have like cutouts for railings and stuff. So a chair user can roll up and it will be a lower railing so that fishing over this really high up for them. There is assistive technology out there to help folks if they have a difficult time really. There's power rails that you just press a button and a rails on the fish for you. There's fishing items for low vision users. So if they are not seeing the whole kind of dip down, there's 1000 You can just flip to that in the poll and someone with low vision know that there's tons of things out there I don't know about the nature area.

Yes. Which those Yes. So when people are having to run our questionnaires and women

Yeah. So if an individual would contact me if they want to do just outdoor recreation and other stuff for daily living and all sorts of fun things, but I have a wrecked car. So yeah, they would contact me. They can tell me a little bit about their disability what they have a difficult time doing and then as I just to show them these items, show them how they work and then they can borrow these items for as long as they can hold that as long

as they want but for like two weeks,

see if it truly works or that if they wanted to purchase it, let them know where they purchase it from.

You can jump into thank you for that information

on fishing. I went to Detroit riverfront Conservancy. We do a lot of fishing programs on the river so I love that. I do a lot of our other programs as well. So I'm curious from all three of you what you look for in a program that feels like it's going to be accessible and inviting, especially for sensory needs, and other mobility challenges and what would be an immediate turn off. This isn't gonna work for me I need to this program. What would you be looking for

I would say language. Language is important. Being inviting, I guess, and I guess everyone is learning the language everybody with special needs is not very likable. person with disabilities preferred are people with disabilities

Yeah,

save the same, I think maybe if like an event doesn't advertise, like what it has. For access specifically, I'd be like, like, we should like brand new participants is really important. Because as as disabled people we research and research before we go somewhere because you don't want to get somewhere in there the snap. So, yeah, I personally am kind of wary of things that just say no, just say over ADA accessible. Because in my eyes, ADA accessibility and compliance as before. And I really feel welcome and like wanting to add an event or in a space that goes beyond that, and they tell me how. So yeah.

Compliance is very important. Want

to add to the perspective of not

just facilities but also programming any bits I'm thinking about things. We've talked a lot about, like physical limitations. We've even talked a little bit about the way to deal with autism specifically, but I'm wondering if there are other accommodations, things like that are environmental or I guess Yeah, environmental or facility based things like lighting things like sound that support a feeling of welcome or belonging and how those fit into the recommendations that are either made or things that you look for and how organizations like the one that I work for can be aware that is where either planning, you know, doing capital investments or any of those sort of things.

So my recommendation would be you know, there's if you've met one person with a disability, you can't have one person with a disability so everyone has their own access needs. So again, I would recommend you like if you're doing a pre registration with ask your participants what they need, or like that like an active question and a pulmonary vascular or also just having like a line of auto test if you have access to protected content. But I would also say just a good general tip for figuring out like how to make things more accessible would be to like, become interested and like educate yourself like what are kind of like the broader themes of disability that you might have. And then like, try and send it those experiences when you're planning an event to see what oh, if I had, you know, maybe if I use a wheelchair, would I be able to use this space now if you've never used a wheelchair and might not go all of those things, but, you know, typical steps to get a four you know, there's no access to the restroom. Things like that.

Turn it over to Alexis.

Yes, I'm asking because at least at least a couple of these issues by the rate of autism and how this is growing in our nation, one to 36 within five years, the rank has increased from one to 36 effects is not a African American visibility disorder is not a Caucasian disorder. I've been I've done behavior therapy as a behavior analyst. I've had a medical clients out of Farmington Hills and know why Indians out in Hamtramck like Muslim families so it affects everybody across cultures socio economic statuses, and we need like says I need us to bring have our own use our own spaces here because they showcase our beautiful rec centers and our parks and activities here and and they show that we don't have to drive in, which is not a waste of time because those programs are great. But 45 minutes away from home takes away from the time you could have spent, you know, being active here and putting forth our time. So our mission is to provide events in our community for our community. And kind of piggyback on your question, having more volunteers that are that need to volunteer, which is what would help with something like that I like I can provide practicum experience hours of our college students that are going into psychology become behavior analysts said they need experienced hours with with the youth and adults on the autism so they can so they can continue to work on their degree. So I think having quality volunteers that are committed to the cause as well with providing have a presence in the parks and recs and make people feel safe and supported. So we have provided pre pandemic, the rocking and rolling. So let's say they can say Hillman cancer on the east side and let's just buy like a mild ration using Khibiny and work off of Forestry and Shaffer. We were getting a lot to get into pet lands and come into the neighborhoods because of love and allow that everybody can get to and that's another transportation issue. So you know, because our city is is enormous. So you know, so we're trying to pry activity in the local areas that everybody can get to. So we have had camps where we are teaching different skill levels expose, you know, just in case it's sports. Swimming, this is the pool at Hillman. This is a pool that I can survive and it's only two feet 200 feet on one fire so I can save a life in that fold as well. But my one of my counterparts is actual life. She does actually struction but I can say we had a dance class we have those reading opportunities. I know there was a storytelling segment earlier. And this is actually fun, depending on the nature you have so we have a subway we've been trying to you know partner network with all of our wonderful you know, programs here and this is a young woman and this is like it's actually my daughter Ross's co teaching arts and crafts classes kids learn for kids, you know, and they and they have fun you know doing that program and it gives her something you know fun teaching others teaching her how to do that. And we also does parent activities that can go on while they're working with the kids. Their parents can have a parent party or they can go to the weight room they can do the other activities that are that are at the Rec Center that they're learning in bossa nova roll this class is the waiting room is available. It was hustle and water relevance today is a whole family you know activity. And then this is our highlight what we what we've been able to consistently do so we had a sneaker prom one day, one year and the first year was our first one in 2019. And you made it for all ages actually because as you'll see the pictures we you know, we wanted to get those people who definitely may not have had the chance to go to prom because of whether whether they were afraid at the mouth using maybe parents telling them that going. So we open it up to all ages for that first time. And then the other promise that we're doing is going to be like a high school thing. So where they practice going around and go to their high school prom or they keep coming to our brown so that's what we're doing. Our palms are unique because we all we also provide a sensory area where we do art therapy, where they still get to dress up and have the whole experience this is this is committee that we transformed it there once I've heard before we had the red carpet, the photographer there dinner dancing the whole DJ set up we actually had a couple other pistons dance team out and okay how to so these are the kids have been at the prom table. So we got a couple of good pictures and this was our first sensory area where they were able to just have fun and be there and then I know my son is going to prom this year. He doesn't really want to go, but I want to take pictures of him going and so is this a whole family you know, activity so you know so now the kids gets the kids and the parents get to get the whole experience so their school Gravitron the pistons have been a great support, and I miss and we've been one living in us the community tickets because that's another thing we'll get a section of tickets and we're there to support the kids so they can either stay in the game or we can take them out for a walk. You know by the parents get to enjoy the game because that's a thing that we want to have everybody have a good time. So you know, we have we got to have this wonderful little baby here in the king's chair. And he was you know, just the kids getting out to have a great time. And and that's what we want to provide because if they're not he like this is an older student, but it's like school game goes on until 26. So he's never He never doesn't have a plan. He's been around the city prior to the pitcher's throne chair experience. This was our art Danby that we have set up where you're still dressed up had a whole lot of experience and you know that is not allowed and I Roman is very close to the area. So we ask that as a test. This is why I like to show how we want to get our community out and involved and give them the time of his his dance team to you know show them how to dance. You know that on the dance floor. Parents are able to come out and and that's really what our that our program is all about. We want to not just call up the prom. We want to have activities throughout here consistent and typical times after school where we can use our rec centers to their full capacity just like for our ticketing development is that our this was this is where we did our first prom king and queen. So again, the whole the whole experience and that's what we were trying to do. And so we want to continue to do for our specialties community so they can be included and the families are, you know, in the whole experience that everybody is in and what to do right here in Detroit.

So much, Alexis and thank you to the rest of our panelists as well. If there are any closing comments or flyers if anyone needs to hear that there's nothing else

Okay, so before you leave, get a flyer, get a resume, I think grab some food from the outside. There's plenty of it. But thank you so much for being here today.

Oh, also, if you haven't filled out the survey, please please do