11 When conducƟ ng an assessment of the ground level accessible route, it helps to start with “the big picture” -- to view the play area in its enƟ rety. Begin at the entry to the play area. IdenƟ fy the accessible play components and the path to entry/egress for each piece of accessible equipment. Then focus in on the accessible route. Each segment of the route should be assessed for compliance with the accessibility standards. Look for the worst areas, those locaƟ ons where the slope or cross slope may exceed the standard, where changes in level may be too high, or where openings may be too large. One method to assess the ground level route using the photo above would be to look at each route segment, such as: From the entry of the play area where the surface begins to the transfer system at the composite play structure. The clear ground space at the transfer system. Segments at each accessible elevated component egress to ground level, the clear ground space at egress, and the connector loop back to the transfer system, such as the segment from the right of the double slide and the clear ground space at the boƩ om of the slide to the transfer system; and The segment to the right of the transfer system to the climbing wall including the transiƟ on from the poured in place surface to the engineered wood fi ber and the clear ground space at the climber. The segments from the entry and composite structure to the swings, including the clear ground space at a swing. Segments to each accessible ground level play component. Segments to other accessible play areas. The purpose here is to look for defi ciencies in order to make correcƟ ve acƟ ons. All of the technical provisions must be met through the enƟ re route for it to be considered accessible. Thus, each segment should be assessed for slope, cross slope, change in level, openings, fi rmness and stability (which will be discussed in greater detail in the next secƟ ons). It would be inaccurate and incomplete to only measure slope at one segment, cross slope at another, or to average the data for three segments. Every segment of a route is used by people with disabiliƟ es, therefore it is criƟ cal that each segment meet the minimum standards. 2 1 3 5 4 6 7
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