Grading

Grade 4 – Above and Beyond Accessibility

For something to meet Grade 4, Everything would need to be met to be at least their maintained minimum standards. (This would be excluding disasters, major storms etc where accessibility may temporarily reduce, but would not affect the grade unless a new maintained level is less accessible)

Walking Track/Trail

1. Minimum Width of 2 meters to allow wheelchairs to pass each other comfortably

2. Gradient of paths

   1. never exceeds 1 to 16 ratio for more than 10% of the trails length and no longer than 10 meters at a time.

3. Paths must have pronounced constant physical edge to to assist the visually impaired to navigate independently.

Campsite

1. Campsite must contain at least clean and sanitary toilets that are flushable and cleaned regularly to allow optimal sanitary conditions for continence issues to be managed inside safely.

2. All Signage in the site must have braille formats available

3. Any barriers to stop traffic from entering water must be narrow enough for blind persons with assistive technology can find them.

Buildings (Visitors Center) and/or Recreation Areas

1. Buildings that contain toilets must have toilets that can be accessed by all persons irrespective of disability or gender.

   1. At least one toilet must have an adult-sized changing bed and a hoist usable for users with complex physical needs.

2. All building entrances and paths must be the same for able-bodied as well as persons with disabilities.

3. Visitors with disabilities will not have to skip content for them to have full choice interactions with default services.

Grade 3 – Meets Legal Accessibility

Walking Track/Trail

1. Trails are never a steeper gradient than a standard wheelchair ramp.

   1. In Australia that is 1 to 8 ratio.

2. Terrain of the route is of a firm or compact hardness for the entire route.

   2. 1. 1. Wheelchairs should not need any special off-road attachments.

3. Minimum width of the trail is 1 meter.

4. Path has a clear enough boundary that the visually impaired or blind can navigate without undue risk of falling or walking away from the path.

Campsite

1. Campsite must contain wheelchair accessible toilets.

2. Terrain is of a firm or compact hardness for the entire site.

3. All major information panels have braille options.

4. Campsite contains no stairs or barriers that able-bodied pedestrians can overcome. (low beams or guide poles that can stop a wheelchair passing over)

5. Campsite must never have a gradient more than 5%. (near-flat)

Buildings (Visitors Center) and/or Recreation Areas

1. All buildings must at least meet all state and federal accessibility legislation at a minimal level.

Grade 2 – Accesibile but Challenging

These graded services are for users who are wheelchair users looking for greater challenges, while making routes safer for those with minor mobility issues

Walking Track/Trail

1. Trail are no more than 150% of the gradient of a standard wheelchair ramp.

   1. In Australia this would come to a 1 to 4 ratio.

2. Terrain of the route is of a firm or compact hardness for at least 80% the entire route.

3. Trail cannot contain any stairs or boulders that a wheelchair axle can’t overcome.

4. Standard wheelchairs would need off-road accessories to traverse this terrain safely and its user to have some fitness.

Campsite

1. Campsite must contain wheelchair accessible toilets of some kind. (Users with continence issues that wish to use the campsite will know to be prepared appropriately)

2. Terrain is of a firm or compact hardness for at least 75% of the entire site but can overcome with assistance given.

3. Campsite contains no stairs or barriers that able-bodied pedestrians can overcome. (low beams or guide poles that can stop a wheelchair passing over for example)

4. Campsite must never have a gradient more than 10%. (gentle slope) in 50% of the site

Buildings (Visitors Center) and/or Recreation Areas

All major services meet accessibility legislation. (Some buildings or services (information boards) may not have wheelchair access/braille etc.)

Grade 1 – Minimal Accessibility

These graded services are for users people with minor mobility issues, use assistive technology like braces, crutches and walking sticks

Walking Track/Trail

1. Trails contain stairs.

2. Major sets of stairs have at least a handrail for assistance.

3. Gradients steeper than 150% of the gradient of a legislated wheelchair ramp has a handrail along the applicable slopes of some kind (to assist walkers with mobility issues)

4. Route is not wheelchair accessible.

Campsite

1. Campsite may not contain a wheelchair accessible toilet. (Users with continence issues and/or wheelchair users that wish to use the campsite will know to be prepared appropriately)

2. Terrain is of a firm or compact hardness for at least for major pathways.

3. Campsite may contain stairs needed to reach any or all campsites major areas.

Buildings (Visitors Center) and/or Recreation Areas

Some services meet accessibility legislation. (People affected by this would recommend to call ahead before arriving to learn any specific options available)

Grade 0 – No Maintained Accessibility

These graded services are for users people that are able bodied or are experienced hikers who do not need to worry about any maintained accessibility. The demographics that this applies would use existing grading systems used by our roads and parklands.

Walking Track/Trail

1. Trails have no maintained accessibility (Forestry roads, 4WD access only areas)

Campsite

1. Campsite may not contain any maintained accessibility (Wilderness or off-road campsites)

Buildings (Visitors Center) and/or Recreation Areas

No services meet accessibility legislation. (Landmark summits of mountainous hiking trails for example would not have or need accessibility if the only routes to them have no accessibility)