Accessibility & Inclusion Policy
Florida State Parks invites all visitors to participate in and enjoy our many parks, programs and services. We are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that our visitors with disabilities are included and immersed in our park experience.
In compliance with the intent and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Florida Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act, Sections 553.501-553.514, F.S., we are committed to provide equal access in a respectful and dignified manner to all visitors.
Facilities
We strive to design and construct accessible buildings and facilities that provide access for all visitors and that comply with applicable laws, regulations and standards. Our new and renovated/altered buildings and facilities comply with accessible design standards. Visitors are encouraged to visit and enjoy our many accessible camping areas, bathhouses, restrooms, recreation halls, fishing piers, environmental education centers, picnic pavilions and more.
Programs, Activities and Policies
We ensure equal access by providing reasonable accommodations and modifying our policies without altering the fundamental nature of our programs and activities. A variety of adapted equipment and accommodations are available, upon request, for visitor use.
The Florida Park Service and sanctioned concessionaires follow our Service Animal Policy and Wheelchairs and Other Power Driven Mobility Devices Policy to provide all visitors with the opportunity to enjoy our Florida State Parks. We encourage all to visit our many festivals, park special events, beautiful beaches and rivers, interpretive programs, nature and hiking trails, boat tours and more.
Cultural Sites
We provide access to cultural sites and historic properties that is reasonable and consistent with the preservation of each property’s significant archaeological, historic and/or cultural features. Occasionally, due to the significance and features of the properties, physical modifications are neither feasible nor required by law; however, we continuously strive to provide access for our visitors through alternative methods, such as: visual presentations, tactile maps/models, provision of exhibits in accessible spaces, video interpretation, live web cam feeds, assistive listening devices and more.
Wilderness Areas
We provide visitors with disabilities the highest feasible level of physical access to wilderness areas that are consistent with the preservation of the property’s significant natural features. Undeveloped areas, such as those outside the immediate influence of buildings and roads, are not typically modified.
Visitor Services
We partner with authorized vendors who, in compliance with their contracts and/or agreements, share the responsibility of providing reasonable accommodations and program access to visitors with disabilities.
Accommodation Request and Process
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure that our visitors with disabilities receive equal access to our parks. To request an accommodation to assist with your visit, you may:
- Contact the specific state park to request an accommodation; or
- Call the visitor information line at 850-245-2157 or 711 (Florida Relay Service).
The accommodation process begins once a visitor or designee makes the initial request. The appropriate state park will contact the visitor or designee in order to discuss the accommodation request.
Complaints
In the event that a request for access has not been resolved in a timely or acceptable manner, a complaint may be filed in writing or submitted by telephone, to:
Timothy Rinck, Accessibility and Safety Manager
Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., MS 500
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
850-245-2390 (voice) or 711 (Florida Relay Service)
For additional information, please refer to the Grievance Procedure.