Graphic 2

An example of trail signage with QR code that can be read by a smartphone

Graphic 1

An example of contact information presented in the upper lefthand corner of a document

Contact Information

Summary – It is essential to provide contact information – how to reach the facility manager and staff and emergency phone numbers – both on published materials and at appropriate locations at the facility.  These Guidelines place this requirement first because it is so crucial to persons with a disability and yet it is so easy to achieve.

Importance/Purpose – Users with disabilities have many ways of obtaining information, and what works for some may not work for others.  Therefore, information should be provided in a variety of formats to accommodate the greatest number of users possible.  Section 508 Standards, the federal standards for accessible technology and website design, address many of these needs, but an important example of what is not covered is placement of contact information on a webpage.  If that information is located at the bottom of a very extensive webpage a person using a reader will have difficulty finding it.

Location – Contact information should be provided at the top, left-hand corner of webpages, and in a prominent location on printed publications and trail signage.  This information should make clear how to contact the facility manager and/or staff for additional information and to check for the latest conditions.  Another type of contact information essential to trail users is how to reach emergency services if something were to occur along the trail.  Emergency contact information may be even more important on trail signage than on published materials.

Contact information may already be provided but may be hard to find, especially for web users with vision impairments using a reader.  Location is the key factor in satisfying this requirement, making sure this information is easily accessible to all users.  Users with vision impairments need a way to get information such as Braille. For information provided on site the use of new technology may be helpful, such as the use of QR [quick response] codes to provide information directly to smart phones.

Example

1. •‘For up-to-date facility and trail information, please contact...’