Some of you may enjoy the correspondence that has developed since I began this thread. Or not-- this is a long paste. I've edited out the respondent's name and email address.~Susan
Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2007 7:52 PM To: Webmaster NAB02 Subject: Handicap Accessibility?
How do I search online for HC accessibility of Army Corps facilities? Just arrived home after disappointing 2 hour drive to try a public swimming beach that..... isn't.
~Susan Hinton Mansfield, PA
===
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 3:47 PM Subject: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Dear Ms. Hinton,
Thank you for your e-mail inquiry of July 1st regarding access to recreation facilities at US Army Corps of Engineers lakes for persons with disabilities. We regret that the beach you visited did not meet your needs. Corps projects throughout the country are in various stages of transition to upgrade recreation facilities for persons with disabilities. Web site information may not always accurately reflect improvements that have been made. To insure that your next visit is a satisfactory one, you may wish to contact the project directly to inquire if they can accommodate your needs. My services are available as well to assist you with any needs you may have for recreation facilities managed by the Baltimore District.
We appreciate your interest in our lakes and hope your next visit fulfills your recreational needs.
Sincerely,
Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Recreation Planner/ECC
===
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 7:40 PM Subject: Re: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx],
Thank you so much for your prompt and delightful reply! As a matter of fact, none of the websites I visited for individual projects mention accessibility at all.
Although mobility-impaired, I aqua-jog for charity. One donor has challenged my portability by offering a donation for every different swimming location I use over the summer.
I would certainly like to include as many swimming beaches as possible, if you can provide a list of those that provide a HC parking space at water level with minimal distance to the shore. Example: Ives Run at Hammond Lake in Tioga County is one with just-manageable distances.
If there are others in the Baltimore district we will plan our travels accordingly.
I'm also interested in working with other disabled folks who might benefit from aquatics, on a charitable basis. So although my own needs might be at one level, I'll also need to have an accurate idea about what I might invite others to attempt.
Is there a policy about press coverage and photographs I need to know about? Local PR is already underway and I'd like to keep my charity efforts in the public eye.
Thanks again,
~Susan http://groups.msn.com/aquabucks/_whatsnew.msnw
===
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 10:41 AM Subject: RE: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Ms. Hinton,
Please accept my invitation to talk with you personally. A conversation with you will allow me to have a better idea of your needs. Would you please forward your phone number and a time that is most convenient for me to call you?
Thank you.
Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Recreation Planner/ECC
===
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 11:28 AM To: Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Recreation Planner/ECC Subject: Re: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Sorry, I can't. Our rural phone is so full of static we use it for emergencies only. I just need a list of Baltimore District swimming beaches that include HC parking with flat, short walking access to the water that I could manage with a walker or wheeling someone in a chair.
~S~
===
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 11:31 AM Subject: RE: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Susan,
Can you define what distance you can manage from the parking space to the water's edge?
Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Recreation Planner/ECC
===
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 11:46 AM Subject: Re: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Not without going back to Ives Run to measure it. If the Hammond Lake site map includes the parking lot and the beach, that ought to give you an idea. Thanks, ~Susan
===
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 1:39 PM Subject: RE: Handicapped Accessibility at US Army Corps of Engineers Lakes
Ms. Hinton,
I am making further inquiries on both the beach access and press coverage. I hope to get back to you within a few days.
Thank you.
Ms. C[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Recreation Planner/ECC
====
Well.... :~)
THAT could take awhile. I anticipate she'll have an opportunity to discover how really NOT even-minimally-accessible their facilities are. In the meantime, SHE's doing all the work, because their website doesn't include ANY information on possibilitities to contact!
She's been copying all this to her higher-ups, as well.
~Susan