Here’s how DNR is enhancing outdoor programs for individuals with disabilities.

GettingAroundStory by Kathy AndrewsPhotos by Adele Hodde

M ention taking ahike through astate park andmost people visu-

alize a wood-chipped trail meanderingup and down hills, with wood-plankedbridges spanning woodland streams.

But paved trails in state parks arebecoming a common occurrence. Asare boardwalks through wetlands. Andramped boat docks. And accessible fish-ing piers. And concrete camping pads.

Not only have structures beenredesigned, but recreational programshave been revamped to allow disabledindividuals a greater chance to experi-ence Illinois’ great outdoors.

Breaking down barriers—providinggreater access to recreational activitiesand expanding lifestyle choices—hasbecome the norm since the Americanswith Disabilities Act was passed in 1990.

“Congress enacted the Americanswith Disabilities Act of 1990 to elimi-nate discrimination against individualswith disabilities in the areas of employ-ment, public accommodations, educa-tion, transportation, communication,recreation, institutionalization, healthservices, voting and access to publicservice,” explained Gloria Williams,director of the Department of NaturalResources Office of Compliance, EqualEmployment Opportunity and Ethics.“The ADA Amendments Act of 2009broadens the coverage of “disability”

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The Americans with Disabilities

Act of 1990 ensures that individu-

als with disabilities are not denied

or excluded from activities, includ-

ing outdoor recreation.

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and thereby brings more individualsunder the protection of the law. Ouragency is striving to ensure that individ-uals with disabilities are not denied orexcluded from participation in any ser-vice, program or activity we offer.”

“Illinois has set the national bench-mark on programs for people with dis-abilities,” said Ryan Storm, a field repre-sentative with Pheasants Forever. “Theirdisabled hunt program is a model forother agencies as far as the quality andquantity of programs offered.”

While special, organized activitiescontinue, DNR’s goal is to make reason-able accommodations to enhance out-door opportunities for persons with dis-abilities.

“Reasonable accommodations meansmaking modifications or adjustments,including such things as making exist-ing facilities used by employees and thepublic readily accessible to and useableby individuals with disabilities,” GloriaWilliams explained. “In some instances,this may require that a service or pro-gram be moved to an alternate, accessi-ble facility.”

Jay Williams, DNR disabled outdooropportunities coordinator, works dailyto help disabled individuals learn whatIllinois has to offer.

“Illinois is an incredibly resource-rich state with so many great places tovisit and outdoor activities to take part

in,” he said. “Helping disabled individu-als discover DNR’s programs and ser-vices lets some people participate inactivities they once enjoyed, and othershave the chance to delve into a totallynew outdoor experience.”

Fishing and BoatingDisabled fishing opportunities in

Illinois range from accessible piers,places for bank fishing and fish-cleaning stations to organized fishingtournaments.

Tom Mansfield has served as tourna-ment director for the annual ParalyzedVeterans of America bass tournament atRend Lake—an event that draws nearly

75 boats and participants from 25states—for many years.

“We team an able-bodied person upwith each disabled angler,” Mansfieldsaid. “The first day they fish as a team,with cash prizes awarded. The secondday only the disabled person fishes andthe prize is a new Ranger boat.

“I’ve heard boat captains remarkhow their partner fished harder thanthey ever have,” Mansfield continued.“You don’t travel 1,500 miles for a boatride, and the motivation of a new boatmeans you don’t mess around.”

The tournament also has a bank-fish-ing division.

Anglers interested in fishing a statelake lacking an established, accessiblepier are advised to contact the siteoffice at least 10 days prior to thedesired fishing excursion and ask forreasonable accommodations.

Newly designed accessible boatdocks, such as the one at North PointMarina, north of Chicago and the largestmarina on the Great Lakes, demon-strates how access can be improved foranglers and the boating community.

March 2010 OutdoorIllinois / 13

Accessible piers enhance boating

and fishing opportunities.

With accessibility barriers breaking

down, Americans are provided

greater access to recreational activi-

ties and expanded lifestyle choices.

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HuntingTremendous opportunities exists for

disabled shooters, including organizedshooting classics, game-specific statepark hunts and controlled pheasanthunts using a special cart. Many siteshave constructed accessible huntingblinds (dove, duck, goose, deer) orallow disabled hunters use of one of themany Huntmasters elevated blinds

donated by organizations such as SafariClub International or the National WildTurkey Federation. Other accommoda-tions include a Standing Vehicle Permit,Disabled Hunter Site Access Permit andCrossbow Permit (see ReasonableAccommodations).

CampingThe Hoene family of Effingham visits

a lot of state parks, relying on word-of-mouth recommendations for some ofthe best campgrounds in Illinois.

“We’ve participated in a number oforganized disabled hunting programsand fishing tournaments and usuallycamp at the host park,” explained TariHoene. “Quite a network of peopleinvolved in these activities has devel-

oped, and the friendships have becomemore important than the activity thatinitially brought us together.”

Accessible campsites have pavedpads, and Illinois has several accessibleequestrian campgrounds.

As a camping alternative, visitors maywant to book one of the 15 two-roomrent-a-cabins at 10 Illinois state parks,most of which are accessible and can beapproached via vehicle. These primitivecabins are equipped with one full-sizedbed with mattress, two sets of bunk bedswith mattresses, an electric heater, adrop-leaf table with chairs and ceilingfans. Showers, electricity, charcoal grillsand picnic tables are available at thecampgrounds. For a more upscaleovernight at a state park, consider book-ing a room at one of the eight lodges(Cave-In-Rock SP, Eldon Hazlet SRA,Giant City SP, Illinois Beach SP, Pere Mar-

14 / OutdoorIllinois March 2010

For nearly 20 years, construction

projects at Illinois state parks have

included accessible picnic shelters,

picnic tables and campsites.

Riding in a specialized cart allows

disabled hunters to participate in

controlled pheasant hunts with

their hunting party.

Accessiblerent-a-cabins1 cabin each

Beaver Dam SP, Plainview,(217) 854-8020

Red Hills SP, Sumner,(618) 936-2469

Rock Cut SP, Loves Park,(815) 885-3311

Shabbona Lake SP, Shabbona,(815) 824-2106

Siloam Springs SP, Clayton,(217) 894-6205

2 cabins eachChain O’Lakes SP, Spring Grove,

(847) 587-5512Eldon Hazlet SP, Carlyle,

(618) 594-3015Kankakee River SP, Bourbonais,

(815) 933-1383Hamilton County SFWA, McLeans-

boro, (618) 773-4340Sangchris Lake SP, Rochester,

(217) 498-9208

For further information visit dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/Programs/Camping/index.htm.

March 2010 OutdoorIllinois / 15

quette SP, Rend Lake Resort at WayneFitzgerrell SRA, Starved Rock SP, WhitePines Forest SP) then enjoying the dayexploring the scenic wonders of Illinois.

Park Day-use FacilitiesDay visitors to Illinois state parks

will find accessible picnic shelters andpicnic tables designed with an over-hanging table to allow wheelchairaccess. New and refurbished play-grounds provide hours of accessibleplaytime for young visitors. Paved trailsand boardwalks provide scenic accessto woodlands, prairies and wetlands atmany facilities.

Reasonable AccommodationFairview Heights resident Bob

Prescott participates in a number oforganized hunts, but he also enjoysspending time in the woods by himself.

“DNR staff have been very helpful inproviding reasonable accommodationfor my turkey hunts at Turkey BluffsState Fish and Wildlife Area,” Prescottexplained. “They have arranged to

drive me into the woods—or permittedme to have a partner assist me in andout of the woods. When I’m squirrelhunting, I’ve been given a tag for myvehicle that acknowledges the right topark in that location.”

After a physician has completed therequired application form, an individualattesting to meeting specific criteria(specific permanent or temporaryambulatory restrictions, lung or cardio-vascular disease) may qualify for aStanding Vehicle Permit. To hunt froma standing vehicle (includes ATVs) on astate area, a Disabled Hunter SiteAccess Permit must be obtained fromthe site superintendent.

Persons with a permanent physicalimpairment due to injury or disease,

congenital or acquired, which rendersthem so disabled they are unable to usea conventional bow and arrow devicemay apply to hunt with a crossbow.The crossbow permit application mustbe submitted by their physician.

All application forms are available atdnr.state.il.us/do/index.htm.

For nearly 20 years, Illinois’ stateparks and recreational programs haveundergone a transformation, creatingadditional opportunities for people withdisabilities to enjoy the wilds of Illinois.

Breaking down barriers continues asnew construction projects areapproved and existing structures arerevamped. In the meantime, the oppor-tunity to request reasonable accommo-dation ensures that individuals with dis-abilities are not excluded from any ser-vice, program or activity offered by theDepartment of Natural Resources.

For detailed information on accessi-ble facilities—campgrounds, trails,

picnicking, fishing, restaurants,restrooms, boat ramps and more—atIllinois state parks, pick up a copy ofthe annual Illinois State Parks maga-zine. Copies are available at most DNRfacilities, or by contacting the DNRClearinghouse at www.dnr.state.il.us/publications/index.htm.

For an updated calendar of eventsfor special hunts or fishing events, visitdnr.state.il.us/doo/index.htm.

FAQsHow does a person with a disability go hunting or fishing in astate park or fish or wildlife area?Fishing—In addition to numerous accessible piers and places for bank fishing, DNRconducts fishing events throughout the state. For reasonable accommodation to fish with-in a state park, contact the site superintendent 10 days prior to your fishing excursion.Hunting—Disabled hunters are exempt from a hunting license but, like all hunters,must go through the permit application process and obtain either a statewide or siteallocation permit. After receipt of a permit, it is their responsibility to contact the site 10days prior to the hunt date for reasonable accommodations.Exemptions—Disabled veterans (resident or non-resident; 10 percent service-related),or those persons with a Class 2 or a Class 2A card are exempt from a fishing license andinland trout and Lake Michigan salmon stamps.

Possession of a Class P2 or Class P2A card exempts residents from a hunting license.Resident or non-resident disabled veterans are exempt from a habitat stamp. Class P2 orClass P2A card holders are not exempt from a habitat stamp.Questions—Questions may be directed to Jay Williams, disabled outdoor opportunitiescoordinator at jay.d.williams@illinois.gov or call (618) 439-9111, ext. 257.

What is required for a person with a disability to camp in anIllinois state park?Illinois residents who have a Class 2 or Class 2A disability are eligible for the followingcamping fee discounts:� Class A, AA, A-P, B/E, B/E-P, B/S or B/S-P campsites: Monday-Thursday half the regularcamping fee plus the $5 utility fee; Friday-Sunday full camping fee plus the $5 utility fee� Class C or D campsites: no camping fee charged any day of the weekIllinois residents who are a disabled veteran or former prisoner of war are eligible for thefollowing camping fee discounts:� Class A, AA, A-P, B/E or B/E-P campsites: no fee charged any day of the week, howev-er the $5 utility fee will be charged� Class B/S, B/S-P, C or D campsites: no fee charged any day of the weekQuestions? Further information is available at dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/Programs/Camping/discounts.htm.

Note: Class A = showers, electricity, vehicular access; Class AA = showers, electric, sewer and water hookup,vehicular access; Class B/E = electricity, vehicular access; Class B/S = showers, vehicular access; Class C = vehicu-lar access or walk-in with showers; Class D = walk-in tent or primitive site; P = premium site.

Disabled hunters may contact a

state site 10 days prior to a hunt

date and ask for reasonable accom-

modations, which may include

driving the hunter into the woods

or special parking privileges.

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