Accessibility and Inclusion
PADL complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Florida Civil Rights Act, Chapter 760, Part I, Florida Statutes. We provide accommodations and program access to persons with disabilities for each program and activity offered to the public. It is our intent to offer maximum access to facilities and programs, not merely the minimum mandated by law.
Facility Access
At PADL we will provide access to our facilities and will also work with our partners to ensure our facilities are compliant and accessible.
Program Modification
Programs are modified to accommodate persons with disabilities, unless modifying a program would “fundamentally alter” that program (ADA Title III Sec. 302).
Safety and participation
Our goal is to create access. Safety must never be compromised. Medical issues can impact safety. All potential participants, with and without disabilities, should complete medical screening.
A person with a disability must never be denied participation in a program that is available to people who do not have disabilities, unless that person with a disability does not meet the “eligibility criteria” that is applied to all people prior to participation in that program (ADA Title III Sec. 302).
Each participate, with or without a disability, must have the ability to:
- Wear all protective equipment recommended/required by industry standards.
- Enter and exit the watercraft independently or with the assistance of a companion.
- Remain seated and balanced with the use of adaptive equipment if necessary.
- In the event of a capsize: get out from under the watercraft, remain face up in the water with the aid of a lifejacket, and make progress to the shoreline.
- For rentals: At least one person in the watercraft must have the ability to move it through the water in a stable manner and return it to the rental area.
- For trips including overnight camping: mobility about the campsite independently or with the assistance of a companion.
Further References:
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended – https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/
Americans with Disabilities Act Title III Regulations – https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/regulations/title-iii-regulations/
The 2024 Florida Statutes – http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0760/0760.html
