Making the Jersey Shore accessible to all

The Family Resource Network and our partners at Stockton University are working towards increasing the accessibility and inclusivity of public spaces in New Jersey’s coastal zones. The inclusivity scorecard we developed during the first round of IHC funding is being evaluated by the Stockton research team. The scorecard assesses accessibility from both a visitor’s and a manager’s perspective and is currently being tested on trails, marinas, beaches, parks, and other outdoor venues.

As a companion to the inclusivity scorecard, we’re also developing an interactive, online toolkit to help business owners and government officials find the resources and information they need to improve a site’s accessibility. Our goal is to make the toolkit user-friendly, easy to navigate, and, of course, accessible to all. An upcoming Toolkit focus group is intended to gather and incorporate thoughts and expertise from individuals with disabilities.

In addition to testing our scorecard and developing an interactive toolkit, our team has been working diligently to locate existing accessible recreational events and opportunities within Atlantic, Cape May, and Ocean counties. Here are a few you may want to visit:

• Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic County: accessible for all.
• Colts Spring Village in Cape May County: clearly states their accessibility within the building and offers staff assistance if needed.
• Blue Claws Stadium in Ocean County: webpage dedicated to ADA compliance.

Interested in learning more about accessible transportation, fitness, and outdoor activities? The launch of our Accessibility Guides for Atlantic, Cape May, and Ocean Counties is coming soon, as is a promotional video featuring the individuals we serve, our team, and evaluation process.

“Everyone should get to fully enjoy and experience all the Jersey Shore has to offer,” says Jenna Bottiglieri, Health Promotion Coordinator and IHC Program Lead at The Family Resource Network. “The work we are doing will not only increase accessibility but increase family memories, friendships, and relationships, enhance quality of life, and build hope and excitement for the future.”