Accessibility & ADA Compliance

In early 2019, Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission began a year-and-a half long accessibility audit, engaging the WT Group as a consultant to evaluate our compliance with the ADA and overall accessibility. The following reports from the WT Group detail their recommendations to make Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission's parks, programs, and services more accessible to individuals with disabilities. 

• Cover Letter (PDF)
• Conclusions Report (PDF) 
• Transition Plan (PDF) 
• Community Engagement Report (PDF)

Charleston County Parks is currently evaluating all the reports and planning the implementation of the Transition Plan and other recommendations. More information will be available as updates are incorporated.

For more information about accessibility, inclusion, special programs, or our recent Accessibility Audit, please contact Steve Hutton, ADA Coordinator, at 843-795-4386 or by email.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC) make its facilities, programs, and services accessible to persons with disabilities in accordance with the standards of the ADA. If an individual feels that he or she has been unable to access a CCPRC facility, program or service because of a lack of accessibility or has been discriminated against because of a disability, the individual should complete the ADA Grievance Form. 

Submit ADA Accessibility Grievance Form online or contact the ADA Coordinator at 843-762-8031 or by email.

Step 1 File a Grievance Form

The complainant should fill out the ADA Grievance Form, giving all of the information requested. The ADA Grievance Form should be filed with the ADA Coordinator within 60 days of the alleged disability-related discrimination grievance. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to complete the form. The completed ADA Grievance Form will be reviewed by Steve Hutton, CCPRC ADA Coordinator

Step 2 An Investigation is Conducted

A notice of receipt shall be mailed to the complainant by email or certified mail within five days of the receipt of the grievance. The ADA Coordinator along with the ADA Committee shall begin an investigation into the merits of the grievance within 15 days. A face-to- face meeting with the complainant will be scheduled to review the grievance information.

Step 3 A Written Decision is Prepared and Forwarded to the Complainant

The ADA Coordinator shall prepare a written decision no later than 45 days following the receipt of the grievance. A face-to-face meeting will be scheduled with the complainant to present and review the written decision. A copy of the grievance, written decision and responses shall be provided to the complainant and retained in the Human Resources Division for a period of three years.

Step 4 A Complainant May Appeal the Decision

If the complainant is dissatisfied with the written decision, the complainant may file a written appeal with the Executive Director or designee no later than 30 days from the date of the mailing of the decision. The appeal must contain a statement of the reasons why the complainant is dissatisfied with the written decision, and must be signed by the complainant, or by someone authorized to sign on the complainant’s behalf. As part of the appeal, the complainant can request a meeting with the Executive Director or designee to review the details of the appeal and provide additional information. A notice of receipt shall be mailed to the complainant by certified mail within five days of the receipt of the appeal. The Executive Director or designee shall act upon the appeal no later than 60 days after receipt.  A copy of the Executive Director’s or designee’s written decision shall be mailed to the complainant by certified mail no later than five days after preparation of the decision. The decision of the appeal reviewer shall be final. A copy of the written appeal and decision shall be maintained in the Human Resources Division for a period of three years.

Filed Grievances

The Human Resources Division shall maintain the confidentiality of all files and records relating to grievances filed, unless disclosure is authorized or required by law or permission is given by the complainant to release the information. Any retaliation, coercion, intimidation, threat, interference or harassment for the filing of a grievance, or used to restrain a complainant from filing, is prohibited and should be reported immediately to the Human Resources Division. The ADA Grievance Form and process are designed to provide the public with the opportunity to effectively resolve any ADA issues that an individual may have with the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission. For ADA concerns with organizations other than the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, please contact the Department of Justice at 1-800-514-0301 or visit their website.

In compliance with South Carolina law, CCPRC provides free parking for vehicles displaying a handicap placard or license plate at all facilities that charge a vehicle admission/parking charge. This includes Folly Beach County Park, Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Isle of Palms County Park, and the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. Our facilities that charge a per person admission fee do not allow vehicles in free with a handicap placard. This includes James Island County Park, Wannamaker County Park, Palmetto Islands County Park, Laurel Hill County Park, Stono River County Park, McLeod Plantation Historic Site, and Caw Caw Interpretive Center. Visitors with disabilities/handicap vehicle placards receive no special benefits for programs and events, unless there are free programs occurring in one of the facilities listed above which provide free parking as required by law.

We offer a limited number of beach/water wheelchairs for use at Folly Beach County Park, Isle of Palms County Park,  Kiawah Beachwalker Park, and our three waterparks on an as-needed basis.

• Wheelchairs are available to rent free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Advanced reservations are not accepted. Customers may call the park office to check availability and/or request staff to be expecting your use.
• Wheelchairs are only available during regular operating hours and are to be used within the park and returned before the park closes for the day.
• Customers may be required to leave a photo ID as a deposit during the use of the wheelchair.
• The City of Folly Beach offers beach wheelchairs , the City of Isle of Palms has a wheelchair program, and other private entities in the area may offer rentals as well.

The term "wheelchair" is defined by the ADA as "a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or of both indoor and outdoor locomotion." Other Power Driven Mobility Device (OPDMD) is the term used by the ADA to mean "any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines… that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistance mobility devices… such as the Segway® PT, or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair." When an OPDMD is being used by a person with a mobility disability, different rules apply under the ADA than when it is being used by a person without a disability. When an OPDMD is being used by a person with a mobility disability, different rules apply under the ADA than when it is being used by a person without a disability.

Introduction

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has established the following procedure regarding the use of other power driven mobility devices (OPDMD) by persons with disabilities who are visiting CCPRC parks and/or participating in CCPRC programs, as well as for CCPRC employees. This procedure intends to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and to ensure that CCPRC does not discriminate on the basis of disability as identified in Titles I and II of the ADA.

Primary CCPRC Contacts

1. Participants and authorized users may use an OPDMD in CCPRC parks, facilities and programs where they are authorized users as a reasonable modification. Persons with disabilities are invited to contact the ADA Coordinator if you have questions about this procedure.
2. Employees may use OPDMD as a workplace accommodation. Please contact the Human Resources Division at 843-795-4386 by email for information regarding this process.

When an OPDMD is being used by a person with a mobility disability, different rules apply under the ADA than when it is being used by a person without a disability.

Definitions

1. Wheelchair: A manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or outdoor locomotion.
2. Other power-driven mobility device (OPDMD): Any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines––whether or not designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities––that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistance mobility devices (EPAMDs), such as the Segway® PT, or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair within the meaning of this document.
3. Electronic personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD): A device used by a person with a mobility impairment for ambulation. This definition does not include gasoline powered devices, golf cars, or riding lawn mowers.

Permission & Restrictions

CCPRC authorizes persons with mobility impairments to use OPDMDs and EPAMDs in CCPRC parks and facilities subject to the following restrictions:

1. The operator of the device must be a person with a mobility impairment, and upon request by CCPRC officials, shall produce proof of such within 72 hours;
2. The device, if used in a facility or park, is allowed in any area in which the general public is allowed, with the exception of employee only spaces, stairways, and identified hazardous areas;
3. The device, if used indoors, must be controlled by the operator and:
   • may not exceed speed of 4 mph;
   • shall be driven on the right side of the circulation route;
   • is prohibited from carrying another person, or any object, on the frame that may make the device less stable; and
   • must not be operated in a dangerous or reckless manner that jeopardizes the safety of the operator, CCPRC employees, or the public.
4. The device, if used outdoors in a park or facility, must be controlled by the operator and:
   • may not be operated between dusk and dawn unless equipped with headlights that are visible at 300’;
   • may not exceed speed of 6 mph;
   • shall not be driven into wet or ecologically sensitive areas, posted as such;
   • shall be driven on the right side of the circulation route;
   • is prohibited from carrying another person or any object on the frame that may make the device less stable; and
   • must not be operated in a dangerous or reckless manner that jeopardizes the safety of the operator, CCPRC employees, or the public.
5. CCPRC accepts no responsibility for storage or maintenance (refueling, recharging, etc.) of the device.
6. CCPRC accepts no liability for damage to, or theft of the device, or injury to the operator, whether caused by the operator, another facility or site visitor, or any other circumstance.
7. CCPRC accepts no liability for damage caused by the operator of the device, or injury to others caused by the operator of the device.
8. CCPRC reserves the right to suspend the use of facilities or sites by the operator of an OPMDP if doing so is in the best interests of the facility or site and its visitors.
9. CCPRC reserves the right to change, modify, or amend this procedure at any time, as it would any other procedure.

Service animals are welcome in your Charleston County Parks. Per the American with Disabilities Act, "service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA." 

"Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls."

I. Introduction

The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has established the following procedure regarding the use of service animals by persons with disabilities who are visiting CCPRC parks and/or participating in CCPRC programs, as well as for CCPRC employees. This procedure intends to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and to ensure that CCPRC does not discriminate on the basis of disability as identified in Titles I and II of the ADA.  

II. Primary CCPRC Contacts

1. Participants and authorized users may have a service animal accompany them in CCPRC parks, facilities and programs where they are authorized users as a reasonable modification. Persons with disabilities are invited to contact the CCPRC’s ADA Coordinator if you have any questions about this procedure.
2. Employees may have a service animal as a workplace accommodation. Please contact the Human Resources Division for information regarding this process.

III. Definitions 

1. Service Animal: A dog or a miniature horse that has been individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.  Exceptions may be made by CCPRC on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.  Tasks may include, but are not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to sounds, pulling a wheelchair, or retrieving dropped items. Dogs or miniature horses that are not trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs or miniature horses that are used purely for emotional support, are not considered service animals and are subject to all existing park and program rules pertaining to animals.  For information on animals that do not qualify as service animals, see our Pets & Parks page.
2. Partner/Handler: A person with a disability who uses a service animal as a reasonable modification, or a trainer.
3. Team: A partner/handler and a service animal.  The two work as a cohesive team in accomplishing the tasks of daily living.
4. Trainee: A dog or a miniature horse being trained to become a service animal has the same rights as a fully trained service animal when accompanied by a partner/handler and identified as such.

IV. General Rule Regarding Service Animals 

As a general rule, CCPRC will modify policies, practices, and procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability.

V. Restrictions/Areas of Safety 

CCPRC may impose some restrictions on service animals for safety reasons.  Restrictions are considered individually to determine if the animal poses a danger to others at CCPRC sites, or could be in danger itself, and to determine if other reasonable modifications can be provided to assure that the individual enjoys access to the park, facility, or program. Questions about restrictions on service animals should be directed to the contacts listed in Section II.

VI. Responsibilities of Individuals Using Service Animals

An individual with a service animal is responsible for the following:

1. Responding truthfully to the limited and appropriate inquiries that may be made by employees regarding the service animal.
2. Ensuring that the animal meets any local licensing requirements, including maintenance of required immunizations for that type of animal, and upon request by CCPRC officials, shall produce proof of such within 72 hours.
3. Partners/handlers must ensure that the animal is in a harness or on a leash or tether at all times.  Exceptions may be considered individually and require the demonstration of control of the service animal by the handler.
4. Partners/handlers must ensure that the animal is under control and behaves properly at all times.  The supervision of the animal is solely the responsibility of its partner/handler.  If the animal’s behavior results in a hygiene problem, or the animal acts in a threatening manner, CCPRC may require the partner/handler to remove the service animal from the site.
5. Partners/handlers must ensure that all local ordinances or other laws regarding cleaning up after the animal defecates are strictly adhered to.  Individuals with disabilities who cannot clean up after their own service animals are not required to pick up and dispose of feces and are asked to contact a staff member to request assistance.
6. Partners/handlers must keep the service animal in good health.  If the service animal becomes ill, the partner/handler must remove it from the area.  If such action does not occur, CCPRC staff may require it to leave.
7. CCPRC may exclude a service animal from any or all parts of its property if a partner/handler fails to comply with these restrictions, and in failing to do so, fundamentally alters the nature of programs, services, or activity offered by CCPRC.
8. CCPRC may exclude a service animal from any or all parts of its property if a partner/handler fails to control the behavior of a service animal and it poses a threat to the health or safety of others.

VII. Requirements for CCPRC Staff, Registrants & Visitors

Members of CCPRC staff, participants and authorized users, and visitors of CCPRC sites are responsible for the following:

1. Allow service animals to accompany the partner/handler at all times and anywhere at a site except where animals are specifically prohibited, such as at specific areas of a zoo.
2. Refrain from distracting a service animal in any way.  Do not pet, feed, or interact with the animal without the partner/handler’s invitation to do so.
3. Shall not separate a partner/handler from a service animal.
4. CCPRC may take disciplinary action against any individual who fails to abide by these guidelines.

VIII. Temporary Exclusion of Service Animals

A participant or authorized user, employee, or visitor may report a concern regarding a service animal to CCPRC staff.

1. Temporary Exclusion of a Service Animal Used by a Participant or Visitor:
   1. In response to an immediate concern, CCPRC staff may determine that a service animal must be temporarily removed from parks, sites, or facilities.  The employee authorized to make such decisions at that site, park, or facility shall notify the participant or visitor of this decision and that the incident will be reported immediately to the CCPRC ADA Coordinator.  The employee shall then report the incident to the ADA Coordinator.
   2. The ADA Coordinator (or designee) will investigate all reported concerns and incidents where service animals have been temporarily removed from sites, parks, and facilities.  The ADA Coordinator (or designee) will consult with appropriate CCPRC personnel and determine whether or not the animal should be excluded from sites, parks, and facilities for an extended period of time or permanently.  The ADA Coordinator (or designee) will notify the participant, authorized user, or visitor of his or her decision.
   3. If it is appropriate for the service animal to be excluded from sites, parks, or facilities permanently, the ADA Coordinator (or designee) will work with other CCPRC staff to ensure the participant, authorized user, or visitor receives appropriate reasonable modifications in place of the use of a service animal.
2. A participant, authorized user, or visitor who does not agree with the decision regarding removal from the premises may file an accessibility complaint through CCPRC’s ADA Grievance Process. 

IX. Conflicting Disabilities 

Individuals with medical issues (such as respiratory diseases) who are affected by animals should contact CCPRC’s ADA Coordinator if they have a concern about exposure to a service animal.  The individual will be asked to provide medical documentation that identifies a disability and the need for a modification.  The appropriate CCPRC staff will facilitate a process to resolve the conflict that considers the needs and conditions of all persons involved.

X. Clarifying an Animal’s Status 

A service animal is not required to wear a cape, vest, or other symbols.  It may not be easy to discern whether or not an animal is a service animal by observing the animal’s conduct or the partner or handler.  However, in other cases, an animal may only have a leash, and in still other situations, the partner/handler’s disability is not apparent.  Therefore, it may be appropriate for designated CCPRC staff such as facility managers, site directors, area staff, or administrative staff to ask (1) whether the animal is required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

XI. Emergency Situations

Emergency Responders (ERs) are trained to recognize service animals and to be aware that animals may try to communicate the need for help.  Also, an animal may become disoriented from the smell of smoke in a fire or facility emergency, or from sirens, wind noise, or shaking and moving ground.

A partner/handler, service animal, and team may be confused in any stressful situation.  ERs will remember that animals may be trying to be protective and, in its confusion, should not be considered harmful.  ERs should make every effort to keep a service animal with its partner/handler; however, the ER’s first effort should be toward the partner/handler, which may result in the animal being left behind in some emergency evacuation situations.

Charleston County Parks practices inclusion in all of our programs and events. Participants are able to request modifications to participate in a program or event due to disability during program registration.

Modification Request Process

1. Customer indicates they need a modification to participate in a program or event due to disability (note: registration for all programs/events includes a prompt to request modification).

2. Park and Program Services (PPS) staff initiate communication with the customer.

a. Online registration – When this prompt is checked, PPS staff will call the customer for more information. If PPS cannot connect with the customer, PPS will email the customer and CC the program supervisor.

b. Phone or in-person registration – During registration, PPS will ask the customer for more information.

3. When PPS staff contact the customer, if the request is directly program-related, PPS staff will:

a. Notify the customer the program supervisor will be in touch to discuss further details and determine a plan for participation.

b. Forward any prior communication to the program supervisor via email and request the programmer contact the customer for further discussion. Programmers are expected to contact customers requesting modifications as soon as possible as it may take some time to make arrangements to provide the modification.

   Note: in the event that modification is not possible, a full refund will be issued, regardless of when the withdrawal occurs.

4. If the request is not directly program-related, is an informational request that PPS can answer, or is not a disability-related request, PPS can resolve without forwarding to program supervisor.

5. Upon receiving the request, the programmer will contact the customer and engage in further discussion to assess the participant’s abilities and needs and create a mutually agreed upon plan for participation. 

UbiDuo 3 is a wireless communication device that enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing to interact instantly with each other face-to-face. The UbiDuo is available at our Park & Program Services office for walk-in customers or guests and will also be available at select events.

If you use assistive technology (such as a Braille reader, or a screen reader) and the format of any material on this website interferes with your ability to access information, please contact us. To enable us to respond in a manner most helpful to you, please indicate the nature of your accessibility problem, the preferred format in which to receive the material, the web address of the requested material, and your contact information.

Accessibility Design Guidelines

Our website has been designed with the following accessibility guidelines in mind:

• We work to comply with Section 508 as well as WCAG 2.0 A and AA referring to website accessibility standards.
• If you have difficulty accessing the site or have any comments or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Browser Accessibility Information

Many popular browsers contain built-in accessibility tools.

• Chrome Accessibility Information
• Firefox Accessibility Information
• Microsoft Edge Accessibility Information
• Safari Accessibility Information

Additional Plug-ins

Adobe Reader is required to view and print PDF documents that appear on this website.

• To download this program for free, visit the Adobe website.
• To read PDF documents with a screen reader, please visit the Adobe Reader Accessibility website which provides useful tools and resources.

Supported Assistive Technology

• Latest Version of JAWS for Windows
• Latest Version of NVDA for Windows
• Latest Version of VoiceOver for Mac OS X
• Keyboard-Only Navigation

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission's Accessibility Advisory Committee performs the following functions: 

1. Serve as a bridge between CCPRC and the local community of individuals with disabilities, acting as our advocates in their groups and amongst their peers. 
2. Advise CCPRC on services, programs, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities that may be lacking in the Charleston community, make recommendations to CCPRC for inclusion. 
3. Suggest opportunities to educate agency staff and serve as one of our expert resources. 
4. Visit parks/facilities, programs/events, and navigate agency services (such as visiting our website or registering for a program) to audit accessibility and provide feedback regarding their experiences to appropriate CCPRC staff. 

Member Selection Process

1. The committee will be made up of at least 8 representatives from Charleston County and should represent the diversity of disabilities found in our community. 
2. Ideally, at least one member will represent a different faction of the disability community. (Note that disability doesn't always fit neatly into "specific categories," and members may represent different aspects of the disability community.) Charleston County disability statistics should be taken into consideration when determining committee representation (see statistics at bottom of document). 
3. Long-standing CCPRC contacts, frequent customers, and participants in the February 2020 ADA Audit Public Engagement Process will be contacted to fill out a short application for consideration. Any other interested members of the public may also fill out the application. 
4. The application process will be open for 2-3 weeks, with selection and invitation to take place in the following 1-2 weeks.
5. Disability representation will ideally reflect the following committee representation:

• Ambulatory
• Visual
• Hearing 
• Self-care or independent living difficulty
• Intellectual/developmental/learning
• Mental health
• Medical professional  

2022 Charleston County Census Data

• Ambulatory: 5.2%
• Cognitive: 4.6%
• Visual: 2.5%
• Hearing: 3.3%
• Self-care difficulty: 1.6% (often concurrent with other disabilities)
• Independent living difficulty: 4.4%
• Total % with a disability 11.9%

Other disability groups to represent (% based on US population): 

• Intellectual/developmental (ex: autism): 1.8% children (1 in 54), 2.2% adults (1 in 45) 
• Learning: 10%
• Mental Health: 26% 
• Medical professionals: recommendation to include 1-2 on committee

The Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has partnered with KultureCity, the nation's leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance for those with invisible disabilities, to improve CCPRC’s ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. The objective is to provide an accommodating and positive experience for all guests, including those with sensory needs.

CCPRC strives to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying staff with continuous training and by offering a variety of resources and accommodations to patrons.

• Sensory Bags: Sensory bags containing special Kulture City VIP badges, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources are available for checkout. (Guests may be required to leave a photo ID as a deposit during use.)
• Quiet Areas
• Designated headphone zones
• Weighted Lap Pads: Weighted lap pads will be available upon request.

In Our Parks

We have partnered with KultureCity to make three of our most popular parks Sensory Inclusive™. This designation helps us to provide our guests with sensory bags (available upon request in the park office at each location), quiet areas and resources for planning your trip. Visit the KultureCity Venue pages below for more information. 

• James Island County Park
• Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant
• Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston

At Our Events

KultureCity sensory bags are also available for checkout at select Charleston County Parks events throughout the year. Events that feature KultureCity are designated with this symbol:

Visit KultureCity.org for more information on its work, and download the KultureCity All-Inclusive App to get your social story and know what to expect before coming to your Charleston County Parks!

• App Store
• Google Play