News Release

Jewel Cave Seeks Input on Draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

Date: June 7, 2024
Contact: Aimee Murillo, Chief of Interpretation

Jewel Cave National Monument will release our Draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan on Friday, June 7. As part of the planning process, the National Park Service is seeking public comment on the draft plan. Your participation is important to our planning process.

An interdisciplinary team, including park and regional staff, identified the key park experiences and evaluated park areas to determine which areas would be evaluated for accessibility needs. The team then developed implementation strategies for improving the accessibility at each location. The plan will guide changes to the way existing services, activities, and programs are provided in multiple locations throughout the parks by defining what barriers limit accessibility and providing recommendations on how they can be modified or removed to increase accessibility for all users.

The Department of the Interior guidance for implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires parks to perform accessibility self-evaluations and to prepare transition plans. Public entities are required to evaluate their current programs, policies, and practices dealing with accessibility and develop a strategy for making the necessary changes to improve them.

To review the plan and submit your comments, please visit the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment page on the following website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/jeca-setp

This site will be open for commenting from June 7, 2024, to July 7, 2024. For more information, please call 605-673-8330.