GMRPTC Accessibility Forum Series

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) has teamed up with national accessibility expert Bill Botten to enhance the accessibility of the greater Minnesota regional facilities.  A key part of this cooperation will be a series of webinar forums regarding aspects of different features commonly found in parks or as part of trails.

These sessions will be offered on a quarterly basis in 2025 for all regional and prospective regional partners, Legacy partners, and others interested in accessibility in outdoor recreation.

Online registration is required. Links to the webinars will be sent to all registered participants.

Registration is on the GMRPTC Accessibility Page.

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William "Bill" Botten, an Exercise Physiology graduate from the University of Kansas, joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000.  Recently retired, he served for 22 years as an accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator for the federal designated agency that develops the accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).  Bill specializes in accessibility issues related recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas including recreational boating and fishing facilities, pedestrian trails, picnic and camping facilities, sports facilities, and play areas. 

His training experience includes hundreds of presentations over the last 30 years to local, state, and national audiences on injury prevention, disability awareness and sensitivity, and accessibility issues.  He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the ADA and ABA laws and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines for outdoor developed areas.  Additionally, he has participate on several ASTM (an accessibility standards organization) and RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) committees for inclusive fitness equipment and play area surfaces.

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