In a landmark decision for accessibility rights, the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside Washington State Parks, has reached a settlement promising significant advancements for the disabled community. As reported by the Department of Justice, stemming from a complaint about non-compliant conditions at Paradise Point State Park, this agreement manifests a conscientious effort to rectify ADA violations across all state parks in Washington, indicating a shift toward inclusive outdoor experiences.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman praised Washington State Parks for working on ADA compliance but noted that new maintenance and projects weren’t meeting these standards. The agreement will create new policies and regular inspections to ensure all parks are accessible. Parks Director Diana Dupuis supported the federal effort and promised more improvements, directing visitors with special needs to resources on their website or through customer service.
The settlement requires Washington State Parks to create policies for keeping park features accessible and for new constructions within 90 days. They will also start regular inspections to ensure ADA standards are met. A detailed plan for these changes must be in place within a year, with work beginning on October 1, 2025, showing their commitment to making parks accessible for everyone.
The agreement also requires Washington State Parks to set up a process for handling ADA complaints and appoint an ADA Coordinator to manage these issues. The DOJ will check inspection records, complaints, and repairs to ensure parks follow ADA rules. All employees will get ADA training. This plan shows a strong commitment to accessibility and will be reviewed every six months over the next seven years.
