The National Park Service (NPS) is interested in knowing how to
make its parks more accessible. :handicapped:
Although most of us won't be able
to attend the listening session hosted in San Francisco next week,
we do have the ability to make our voices heard by submitting
written comments to the NPS by April 2. This is a great
opportunity to reflect on previous vacations and accompanying
barriers you or a loved one may have encountered during your
journeys and to offer thoughtful suggestions for greater
accessibility to some of our country's most beautiful preserved
spaces.
__________________________________________________ ______________

National Parks -- Comments on Access Needed by April 2

* Have you ever visited a national park?
* Would you like to do so?
* Would you like to assure that the parks are accessible to you,
AND your great grandchildren?

Then take a few minutes to provide feedback to the NPS, so they
know how to make the parks more accessible to you...

The National Park Service will celebrate its' centennial in 2016,
and is initiating a nation-wide campaign to listen to the public
about the future of the parks. See http://www.nps.gov/2016/

It is imperative that persons with hearing, visual, cognitive, and
mobility disabilities express their concerns and ideas about
programmatic and physical access at National Park Service areas.

A session is scheduled in San Francisco, next Thursday, March 2,
2007.

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Presidio Officers Club
50 Moraga Avenue
San Francisco, California
305-242-7714

National Park Centennial Initiative Listening Session

Description: You can help to shape the future of America's
national parks! Please come to this listening session to share
your ideas.

Meeting Directions: For directions, please visit:
www.presidio.gov/event/rental/officersclub/

The agenda of the San Fransisco meeting has been set, and
apparently it will be the same format as used in all other
meetings:

The principal department representative will make some welcoming
remarks and then participants will be asked to circulate to
various
workstations where their comments and suggestions will be
recorded. Such a format eliminates the opportunity for individuals
to grandstand on their pet issues and is also less intimidating to
many individuals. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the format
for the meetings will be announced in advance as it has been for
San Francisco. In other words, you may arrive with a two-minute
statement prepared only to find out that the format is
workstations.

Attendees will apparently be asked three questions:
1. Think of your children and grandchildren enjoying national
parks in 2016 and beyond. How do you imagine their visit? What
are your hopes and expectations?

2. What role do you think national parks should play in the lives
of Americans and visitors from around the world?

3. What are the signature projects and programs that you think
should be highlighted for completion over the next 10 years?

To comment on the National Park Centennial Initiative via the
Internet, use the form on the following web page.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/
commentForm.cfm?parkID=442&projectID=17892&documentId=18372

However, they must be received in Washington by April 2, 2007,
11:59 p.m.
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Source: This information is being forwarded to you by staff of the
California SILC, for educational purposes only. The Council
neither endorses nor recommends action on such re-transmitted
items unless specifically noted.