The ADA Is Back! Was It Really Ever Gone?


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During the last several years, Washington, D.C. went through a phase of deregulation and a de-emphasis on civil rights protections, with one notable exception: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This webinar reviews a June 2020 Settlement Agreement regarding playgrounds in an Iowa community, as well as a June 2021 Settlement Agreement regarding all the assets of a Texas city. We will not only highlight the remedial actions required, but also discuss how the disputes could have been avoided. Join this webinar to discuss the resources parks and recreation agencies need to keep compliant.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand how the ADA is enforced and be able to identify enforcement trends.
  2. Identify the remediation required in both Settlement Agreements discussed.
  3. Apply the Settlement Agreement mandates to local agency operations.

John McGovern (he/him)

Partner, Principal in Charge

The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice

John N. McGovern leads the Accessibility Practice at The W-T Group, LLC (WTG).  WTG is an MBE that is the NRPA preferred provider of accessibility consulting to NRPA members.  He began his parks and recreation career in Albuquerque, starting as a center director and eventually starting the Therapeutic Recreation Program.  He then moved to Illinois to helm two of the local government partnerships that provide services for people with disabilities.  Always interested in civil rights, he went to law school at night while working in parks and recreation and is one of the foremost authorities on the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  His ADA work is sharpened by his career parks and recreation experience, his own disability, and his service on behalf of NRPA on the three federal advisory committees that developed the parks content of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design.   

Hayley Herzing (she/her) (Moderator)

Director of Membership

National Recreation and Park Association

Hayley Herzing is currently the Senior Manager of Membership for the National Recreation and Park Association. She has worked for NRPA for eight years and previously worked at the National Community Pharmacists Association. Hayley received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Journalism from Shippensburg University. She enjoys spending time with her husband, children and dog.

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