Section C: Administrative Practices

Agency Mission and Values

No
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency mission:
Looking at the US Army Corps of Engineers official website, the section on missions doesn't mention inclusion. However, if you look at other agency literature like some of the handouts displayed at the Lake Bardwell Project Office, one entitled "Recreation-Value to the Nation" brochure and another "Lake Recreation-A Visitor's Guide", there are statements about accessible trails, piers and campsites included. The visitor's guide suggested contacting the appropriate lake office before visiting to see what accessible features are available. Recreation is not the main mission of the Corps, but enjoyment of their parks by the public is desired.

Staff

Yes
Yes
Name Title Phone Email
Jennifer Linde Natural Resources Specialist 817-886-1578 jennifer.b.linde@usace.army.mil
No
If yes, list main topics covered in training
There is not a known separate disability awareness and inclusion training occurring in the Bardwell Lake/Fort Worth District area. If such training is given, it may be part of another training such as "Visitor's Assistance" training and this training is not a regularly mandated training.
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency staff:
Although during the assessment, this wasn't observed first hand. Two employees at the Bardwell Lake Project Office, who both have disabilities themselves, talked about the importance of helping others in the same situation. In one situation, ramps and a designated parking space were added to the Project Office when an employee was hired that had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This gave her ease of access to the building. The Lake Manager interviewed has a disability and expressed he would like to see more done to increase accessibility in his area of responsibility and throughout other Corps locations as well.

Agency Planning

N/A
No
N/A
Comments/additional information about agency planning:
Internal policies for the local Corps offices comes from the Army so specifics about who is specifically involved in planning efforts is not known, However, as major renovations and updates are made, or any new construction is started, these changes have to comply with ADA policy.

Agency Communication and Marketing

No
No
N/A
No
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency communication and marketing:

As stated above, some agency communication has person first language and reference to accessibility at certain sites. However, in looking at the official US Army Corps of Engineers website, there wasn't a lot of information about inclusion of people with disabilities in general. There were no photographs on the website or in printed materials reviewed that showed people with disabilities. At the Bardwell Lake Project Office, there were handouts available to the public should they stop in, but it wasn't a designated visitor's center where any activities or programs were held. The US Army Corps of Engineers' website was easy to read with a simple design. It is unknown if additional website accessibility considerations are being addressed at the higher levels of command.
At the very bottom of the webpage, there was "Accessibility" listed and if clicked, it took you to a statement saying, "The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to making its electronic and information technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. ยง 794d), as amended in 1999. Send feedback or concerns related to the accessibility of this website to: DoDSection508@osd.mil. For more information about Section 508, please visit the DoD Section 508 website. Last Updated: 08/30/2013."

Agency Policies and Procedures

N/A
N/A
No
No
Yes
Yes
N/A
Comments/additional information about agency policies and procedures:
Since there is no visitor's center, the first two questions aren't applicable. According to the ADA district contact, there is no written policy for service animals or the use of motorized mobility devices since the Corps follows the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) instead of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Bardwell Lake Manager explained the camp usage fees are usually based on a per car or per campsite basis so there is no issue with allowing personal care attendants to accompany a person if needed. The Corps, as well as several other Federal Agencies, participate in the America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands "Access Pass". This pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities.

Evaluation

N/A
Comments/additional information about agency evaluation of inclusion:
Since so many programs and policies originate at a higher level in another part of the country, the contacts interviewed could only speak broadly and about what applied to their area of responsibility. Both think more could be done at the district level and locally to address inclusion and accessibility issues.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Yes
If yes, please list:


Comments/additional information about agency partnerships and collaboration:
The Corps has many partnerships throughout the United States, but these are the ones most well known in the Bardwell Lake area.

Notes About Administrative Practices

No content available