November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 24

EQUITY
Park and recreation professionals
have a responsibility to ensure that all
people, including transgender people,
are respected and have access to the
amenities, services and environments
afforded to dominant groups.
Public Accessibility for
Transgender Populations
By Michael Clark, CPRP
S
ocietal awareness and active advocacy for equity and inclusion
within public settings has significantly increased during the past few
years, and for good reason. If operators of public recreation-based
facilities have not addressed equity and inclusion - specifically
regarding transgender populations - as it applies to the accessibility, use
and enjoyment of their respective facilities, they should not stick their head
in the sand. Whether it be a member, patron or even an employee, it is
critically important to be prepared before it is too late. If mishandled, your
organization's image could be tainted or, even worse, you may find yourself
in court with today's litigative environment.
The keys to success in making
sure facilities are inclusive and universally
accessible for all populations
are illustrated below.
Policy Development
Agencies should embark on developing
comprehensive policies and
procedures with clear expectations
for both the public and employees.
24 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 1
Policy content should include a
statement against discrimination,
proper terminology, an explanation
of who complaints are reported to
and how they are handled, and the
rights permitted to transgender individuals.
Make sure each policy
is vetted by legal counsel, as many
state laws vary and change often.
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Facility Assessments
Many public facility operators have
older, antiquated buildings that were
not designed with transgender populations
in mind. First-generation
adaptations were initially made with
diaper stations in men's washrooms
and the initiation of family locker
rooms. It is critically important to
conduct a full-facilities assessment
for equity and inclusion. Key areas
to focus on are washrooms, locker
rooms and signage. Individual stalls,
showers and washrooms are ideal
because they create a gender neutral
and private space for all people.
When these are not available, it is
suggested to adapt signage to create a
" privacy area " or ensure that signage
and policies are supportive of an individual
being able to use the facility
they most identify with.
Appointment of
an Equity Officer
Just like the Americans with Disabilities
Act, the Freedom of Informa

November 2021 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021 - Parks & Recreation

November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - Intro
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - Cover1
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - Cover2
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 1
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 2
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 3
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 4
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 5
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 6
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 7
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 8
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 9
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 10
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 11
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 12
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 13
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 14
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 15
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 16
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 17
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 18
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 19
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 20
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 21
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 22
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 23
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 24
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 25
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 26
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 27
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 28
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 29
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 30
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 31
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 32
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 33
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 34
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 35
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 36
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 37
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 38
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 39
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 40
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 41
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 42
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 43
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 44
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 45
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 46
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 47
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 48
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 49
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 50
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 51
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 52
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 53
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 54
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 55
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 56
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - Cover3
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2021
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com