Creating an Accessible Outdoor Service Site from

the Utah Conservation Corps

April 16, 2010

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Creating an Accessible Outdoor Service Site from

the Utah Conservation Corps

Mr. Kevin WebbMs. Kate Stephens

Mr. Jeff Sheen

April 16, 2010

The UCC StoryIn 2005, while Andy Zimmer was serving as a crew leader, he was in a bike accident that resulted in a C6 spinal cord injury. After rehabilitation, Andy wanted to return to the Corps world and complete his term of service.

At that time, there were no opportunities for him to serve in a field-based conservation corps... anywhere.

Background• Established in 1991 with a $15 million endowment from the

Mitsubishi Electric group of companies (Japan & US)• Company manufactures energy, environmental, and social

infrastructure products (e.g., solar panels, elevators & TVs)MEAF’s Mission• To help youth with disabilities maximize their

potential and participation in societyInclusion Initiative• Invested nearly $10 million to date in disability &

“mainstream” organizations, like Girl Scouts• Partnered with grantees to develop Paths to Inclusion guide• Learn more at www.meaf.org

Project Overview“Youth Included in Service”

was a 3 year multi-corps project funded by

Project Goal: To increase opportunities for Corpsmembers with disabilities to engage in meaningful service within a supportive and inclusive crew.

Year 1: The Utah Conservation Corps (UCC) developed & implemented a model for inclusive crews.

Year 2: The UCC model was replicated and expanded upon by two additional service and conservation corps programs.

Year 3: The UCC developed the inclusion toolkit to be used by service and conservation corps throughout the country.

Utah Conservation CorpsAccess to Service

…including people with disabilities in service

UCC members have a variety of disabilities, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and blindness.

Traditional vs. Inclusive

Traditional Crew Projects•Located in remote locations

•Physically demanding

•Often exclude people with physical disabilities

Inclusive Crew Projects•Located in more accessible locations

•Projects goals benefit from physical & non-physical abilities

•Include and accommodate people of all abilities

Accessibility Surveys & Transition Plans…building partnerships with land management agencies

“It’s a WIN-WIN partnership. Crew members with disabilities were empowered to take action and be a part of the solution, and agencies were “enlightened” by their findings.”

...Ron Vance, Logan Ranger District

Inclusive Crew ProjectsToolkit: Appendix A

Accessible Community Garden ProjectToolkit: Appendix A

Program AdaptationsToolkit: Pre-Season Program Preparation

• Physically Accessible Projects

• Accessible Website

• Adaptive Equipment (available through the UCC)

Trail Assessment Tools Gardening Tools Computer/Work Space

• Alternate Formats Electronic Copies, Large Print, Braille & Audio

• Accessible Transportation Lift equipped vehicles with hand controlsPublic transportation when possible

Creating a New Inclusive Creating a New Inclusive Corps Culture…Corps Culture…

Through education and dissemination of the inclusion toolkit, we hope to shift the paradigm and create a new Corps culture that is inclusive of Corpsmembers of all abilities.

Want to know more?

Kate Stephens, Utah Conservation Corpskate.stephens@usu.edu

The Corps Network Inclusion Toolkitwww.utahconservationcorps.org

www.corpsnetwork.org

National Service Inclusion Project www.serviceandinclusion.org

U.S. Forest Service Accessibility Guidelineswww.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility