Outdoor Developed Areas: A Summary of Accessibility Standards for Federal Outdoor Developed Areas

Scoping Requirements [F244.5, F245.4, F246.4, and F247.3.2]

An ORAR is a continuous, unobstructed path that is intended for pedestrian use and that connects accessible elements, spaces, and facilities within camping and picnic facilities and at viewing areas and trailheads. ORARs cannot be used at other types of facilities, such as educational campuses, office parks, or theme parks.

ORARs must coincide with or be located in the same area as general circulation paths provided for other users.

Within camping and picnic facilities, ORARs must connect accessible elements, spaces, and facilities provided within camping and picnic units with mobility features. ORARs must also connect public and common use areas that serve camping and picnic units with mobility features and accessible elements, spaces, and facilities provided within the public or common use areas. When a circulation path connects camping and picnic facilities and adjacent recreation facilities, such as play areas or boating facilities, at least one ORAR must connect camping and picnic units with mobility features to an accessible route serving the adjacent recreation facilities.

At viewing areas, at least one ORAR must connect accessible parking spaces or other arrival points that serve the viewing area with accessible elements, spaces, and facilities provided within the viewing area.

At trailheads, at least one ORAR must connect:

• Accessible parking spaces or other arrival points serving the trailhead

• The starting point of the trail

• Accessible elements, spaces, and facilities provided within the trailhead

Elements, spaces, or facilities that are not required to be accessible do not have to be connected by an ORAR.

ORARs are not required when accessible camping and picnic facilities, viewing areas, or outdoor constructed features are provided along a trail. These routes must meet the technical requirements for trails.