[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 25 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 5887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2609]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Director's Order Concerning 
Accessibility for Visitors With Disabilities in National Park Service 
Programs, Facilities and Services

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Public Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is updating its policies and 
procedural guidance concerning accessibility for visitors with 
disabilities in NPS programs, facilities and services. It is the goal 
of the NPS to ensure that all people, including the estimated 54 
million citizens with disabilities, have the highest level of 
accessibility that is reasonable to our programs, facilities and 
services in conformance with applicable laws and regulations. Directors 
Order #42 establishes operational policies and procedural guidance 
concerning accessibility for visitors with disabilities in NPS 
programs, facilities and services.

DATES: Information from interested parties will be accepted until 
February 23, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send information or suggestions to David Park, National Park 
Service, Park Facility Management Division, 1849 C Street, NW, Room 
7252, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Park at 202/565-1255.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS is converting and updating its 
current system of internal instructions to a three-level system 
consisting of: (1) NPS Management Policies; (2) Director's Orders; and 
(3) Reference Manuals/Handbooks and other helpful information. When 
these documents contain new policy or procedural requirements that may 
affect parties outside the NPS, this information is being made 
available for public comment. Visitor accessibility policies were first 
addressed in Special Directive 83-3, issued in 1983. Those policies 
were subsequently updated in the 1988 NPS Management Policies. The five 
objectives of Director's Order #42 are to:
    1. Institutionalize within the day-to-day operation of the NPS, the 
policies, organizational relationships and implementation strategies 
necessary to accomplish the long range goal of providing the highest 
level of accessibility that is reasonable for people with disabilities 
in all programs, facilities and services;
    2. Provide further guidance and direction regarding the NPS 
interpretation of laws and policies;
    3. Establish a framework for the effective implementation of 
actions necessary to achieve the highest level of accessibility that is 
reasonable;
    4. Encourage the implementation of ``universal design'' principles 
within the NPS; and
    5. Promote the infusion of access for persons with disabilities 
into the day-to-day operation of the NPS, rather than as a ``separate'' 
or ``special'' program.
    Organizations and individuals with an interest in NPS policy and 
procedural guidance concerning accessibility for visitors with 
disabilities in NPS programs, facilities and services are invited to 
provide information or suggestions that should be considered by NPS 
during the review process. The proposed Director's Order #42 is posted 
at http://www.nps.gov/refdesk/DOrders/index.htm#drafts. If you are 
unable to access the Internet, and would like to receive a copy by 
mail, please contact David Park at the address given above.

    Dated: February 1, 2000.
John Gingles,
Acting Chief, Park Facility Management Division.
[FR Doc. 00-2609 Filed 2-4-00; 8:45 am]
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