March 2012 - Parks & Recreation - 58

V o l u n t ee r Sp o t l i g h t

Sherril York
Promoting Inclusion,
Designing for Accessibility

herril York is the executive director of the National
Center on Accessibility (NCA) at Indiana University. York
has more than 25 years of experience in accessibility and
disability in physical activity development, recreation, and adapted sports. At the NCA, she oversees research, technical assistance, consultation, and training programs that promote access
and inclusion of people with disabilities in parks, recreation, and
tourism. York shares her expertise with NRPA through her work
on the Congress Program Committee, as well as her leadership
on the Inclusion and Accessibility Network team.
York has provided consultation to the National Park Service, the
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Central Park Conservancy in New York, to name just a few. She holds a Ph.D. from
Texas Woman's University with an emphasis in biomechanics and
adapted physical education.

" [I hope to see]
NRPA programs
available, by design,
to the greatest
possible number
of people. "

What do you see NRPA doing in the areas of inclusion
and accessibility that you want to see more of? What
kinds of inclusion programs or focus areas do you hope
to see more of in the future?
NRPA is providing educational opportunities related to inclusion
and accessibility through webinars, articles, and sessions at the
annual Congress, but more can be done. I hope to see an emphasis on going beyond the accessibility minimums required by
law to applying universal design principles in program development and delivery, as well as physical spaces-so that our programs are available, by design, to the greatest possible number
of people.

What led you to volunteer your time in the area of
inclusion (and related program development)?

What advice do you have to your peers among NRPA
membership who would like to enhance their
knowledge of inclusion issues? What kind of leadership
do you see a need for?

Growing up in a family where family members with physical and
intellectual disabilities experienced discrimination, I questioned
why anyone is excluded from being a part of what everyone else
is doing. Inclusion is simply a " no-brainer " to me. Whether as a
family member, advocate, direct service provider, coach, assistive
technology specialist, teacher, volunteer, or friend, the one constant I have experienced is that people with disabilities have the
same wants and desires to experience life with choice and dignity as anyone else. This is why I have passion to affect change for
equal access to those benefits and opportunities for everyone.

Get involved! Get involved with citizens with disabilities in your local
area to learn more about their interests, needs, and ways in which
you can engage their input in improving access and opportunities
for all people. Get involved with professional and allied groups for
educational opportunities, which are abundant. This May, the ADA
National Symposium in Indianapolis has a nine-session recreation
track! Get involved with the Inclusion and Accessibility Network
of NRPA to exchange ideas and ask questions of other interested
professionals. We need people passionate for equality and access
to get involved at all levels of the profession.

56 Parks & Recreation M A R C H

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March 2012 - Parks & Recreation

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