Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan

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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve's Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP) includes findings from the self-evaluation process, as well as a plan for improving the accessibility parkwide. The Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan resulted from the work of a National Park Service (NPS) interdisciplinary team, including planning, design, and construction professionals; and interpretive, resource, visitor safety, maintenance, and accessibility specialists. Site plans, photographs, and specific actions for strategies were established to assist NPS park staff in scheduling and performing required actions and to document completed work. Park policies, practices, communication, and training needs were also addressed. The goals of the plan are to 1) document existing barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities, 2) provide an effective approach for upgrading facilities, services, and programs, and 3) instill a culture around creating universal access.

The following are the key park experiences addressed in the transition plan:

1) Understand how the processes that established the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, including fire, climate, and geology, shaped the Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem and it's unique flora and fauna.

2) Learn how people lived on and used the prairie, from before European contact to the present, including the legacy of ranching and the transition from open-range cattle ranching to enclosed holdings of cattle.

3) Admire the locally quarried limestone at Spring Hill Ranch Headquarters, surrounding historic structures, and stone walls and fences, which are outstanding examples of Second Empire and other 19th-century architectural styles.

4) Explore the Flint Hills prairie landscape through viewing wildlife, hiking, and fishing.

5) Learn about the history of the park and how its creation involved people and agencies coming together to find common ground and appreciate how the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy cooperatively manage the park today.

6) View the open expanse of the prairie ecosystem that extends through generations and cultures, providing solitude and uninterrupted views across the prairie landscape.

Overall, similar facilities, services, and programs were found throughout park areas, as were assessment findings for physical and program accessibility.

Contact Information

Heather Brown
(620) 273-6034