Do you know of an accessibility improvement a birding location could make? Here is a suggestion for how you might word an email to request and advocate for change, based on two successful efforts by Virginia Rose in Texas, and Sarah Middeleer in Connecticut. Download this into Word and complete the sections in green before you send it. And do let us know if you’re successful!

 [Date]
[Your address]
[Your email]
[Your phone number]

Hello,

My name is ___. I am a birder and a resident of ___. Recently I discovered the wonderful ___ [park name and location]. [Give a compliment like, “this park is a near perfect place for birders who experience accessibility challenges” or “I really love birding there because___”.] 

[Briefly describe your background and interest in this, including any accessibility challenges you may have, or simply state the following.] I am a supporter of the Birdability movement, which is supported by National Audubon and focuses on removing barriers that birders with accessibility challenges face when trying to go birding. These barriers may be a result of a mobility challenge, sensory impairment, intellectual or development disability (including Autism), mental illness or other health concern. Please visit birdability.org to learn more about this work, and to view their Guidance Documents on topics such as Access Considerations.

I am writing to ask that [describe the accessibility issue and the specific modification/s you are requesting, eg “the blind be modified to accommodate people in wheelchairs. It would also be good to make modest improvements to the trail so that a wheelchair wouldn't have to go through the muddy low spot.”; or “there is one section of the trail that is inaccessible. The relatively short, deeply rutted, sandy and rocky section between the parking lot and the dirt trails is not accessible to someone who uses a wheelchair or other assistive devices.”]

There is more information and resources about suggested accessible features available on the Birdability website at birdability.org [You may wish to include an offer of assistance, eg, “I would be happy to meet with someone to explain what would work for the blind, including height and dimensions of the opening.”] 

One of the main features of the Birdability website is the Birdability Map, which shows accessible birding locations all over the country and describes the accessible features of each site ‘pinned’ to the Map. This resource is invaluable for birders who experiences accessibility challenges when deciding if they wish to visit a potential birding location or not. I would like to submit a Birdability Review to the Birdability Map for [name of park]; however until this issue is resolved I do not feel comfortable directing people with accessibility challenges to the overwise beautiful [park name].

Please help me move this project along so we can include [park name] in the Birdability Map for all to benefit from and enjoy.

Thank you for any assistance you can offer, and I look forward to hearing back from you,

[Your name.]

Photo in page header: Roniq Bartanen of Shebirds. Taken in Lincoln Park, Seattle, Washington state.