Creating an Accessible Outdoor Service Site from the Utah Conservation Corps April 16, 2010 We will begin shortly! Please feel free to say hello to test your audio or type in the text box below. Thanks for joining us this afternoon.

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Creating an Accessible Outdoor Service Site from the Utah Conservation Corps Mr. Kevin Webb Ms. Kate Stephens Mr. Jeff Sheen April 16, 2010

The UCC Story In 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 society Inclusion 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

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 Corps Access 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 Projects Toolkit: Appendix A

Accessible Community Garden Project Toolkit: Appendix A

Program Adaptations Toolkit: 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 controls Public transportation when possible

Creating a New Inclusive 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 Corps The Corps Network Inclusion Toolkit National Service Inclusion Project U.S. Forest Service Accessibility Guidelines