Tess HankeyIn early June, I had the incredible opportunity to join the Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) 2024 cohort and Stewards East staff for an orientation and training session in Washington, D.C. Thanks to the generous support from our partners at the National Park Foundation (NPF), I was able to immerse myself in a week-long visit aimed at deepening our understanding of the new PAIR (Park Accessibility Information Review) program model and celebrating the remarkable growth of the Stewards YES program within our National Park system
Throughout the week, I worked closely with Susie Schroer (Stewards Individual Placement Disability Program Coordinator) and Amberley Borday (Stewards Individual Placement Program Manager) to get to know our new team of eight YES participants. These individuals, who have a deep personal connection to the disability community, will dedicate their summer to serving at national parks and monuments nationwide. Their mission is clear: to gather crucial accessibility data that will empower visitors with disabilities to make more informed trip plans when visiting NPS sites.
The Youth Empowerment Stewards program launched in the spring of 2021 as the first program of its kind. It aimed to create a job pipeline and develop land management and conservation skills for people tied to the disability community. It’s unique approach engaged participants in meaningful work and demonstrated that inclusivity benefits everyone.
This year, the program introduced exciting changes, including YES-PAIR (Park Accessibility Information Review). This new initiative aims to standardize accessibility information communication across National Park websites, empowering individuals with disabilities to make their own informed decisions about what to do and see during their park visits.
Did you know that 2 out of every 7 families has at least one member with a disability? Think about how many families will visit Yellowstone National Park this year.
By integrating accessibility into the core of National Parks, YES is not only making public lands more inclusive but also changing mindsets and establishing new standards for inclusive employment and recreation in outdoor spaces.
During the training, our YES-PAIR members had the opportunity to meet with the National Park Service (NPS) and National Park Foundation staff to learn about their upcoming work in the PAIR program. They also received classroom training on conducting PAIR assessments and how to apply these skills to their respective National Parks.
The next day, the members were able to walk through Ford’s Theatre, The Petersen House and the White House Visitors Center with the lens of completing a PAIR assessment. We gathered in a large group after these visits to discuss how to describe amenities, pathways of travel, and more at each NPS site.
How wide were the doors to enter? How loud was the video playing? Did it have subtitles? Were there benches to sit on inside if you needed a break?
As we explored scenarios, it became clear how much the participants were learning about every aspect of an NPS site and how to accurately describe it from the perspective of individuals with disabilities who might be planning to visit an NPS site. As Jeremy Buzzell from NPS explained, “Accessibility touches every aspect of park operations.”
The YES-PAIR job involves three phases: Collect, Perfect, and Direct. In the Collect phase, participants document existing conditions using the PAIR template and take photos of the parks. In the Perfect phase, they gather feedback from park visitors and staff, audit the content on the NPS website’s accessibility page, and ensure all data and photos are complete. In the Direct phase, they submit the final product to park staff to review and update their accessibility pages on the NPS websites. This process ensures that accessibility information is accurate and current, allowing individuals with disabilities to make their own decisions about accessibility.
This week, I was reminded of how important it is to involve people with disabilities in discussions about accessibility. Their insights and experiences help us identify barriers and create solutions that work for everyone. Throughout the week, we emphasized the need to focus on the voices of people with disabilities when making decisions about accessibility.
We want to thank the National Park Foundation for making this week possible. Their support has empowered our YES members and enriched our program. As we move forward, we are excited to continue making meaningful changes and enhancing accessibility and inclusion in our National Parks.
