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Comment by Laurene on October 20, 2011 at 6:30pm

I just posted a picture of an accessible site in Yosemite Valley.  I have more pictures of other sites, but I'm not sure if I recorded the site numbers.

Comment by Laurene on May 2, 2011 at 4:44pm

I still haven't heard from them.  It's very discouraging, but I'll send a follow-up email.  I think you're right, they don't know how to respond.  They really need to reevaluate their policy.

Comment by Ruth Anne Frokjer on May 2, 2011 at 1:38pm

Here is a copy of the email I sent to the park service requesting clarification.

Dear Superintendent,
Members of our Campers Share, Accessible Camping Forum have sent email messages to your office with no response.  We are requesting claification of the accessible camp sites reservation policy in Yosemite National Park. 
Is it true that able bodied persons (AB's) can reserve a handicapped site without penalty, and that these select sites are reservable regardless of need?  Is it true that AB's are required to give up an accessable site ONLY if a disabled person requests the site in person AND there is at the momment another site the AB's can move to?  Doesn't this policy mean that accessable sites are not reserved for disabled people?  If this is the case, what steps are required to change the policy so that disabled people have increased access to camping within Yosemite?
Thank you in advance for your consideration and your prompt response.
Annie Frokjer
Campers Share, Accessible Camping Forum

Comment by Ruth Anne Frokjer on May 2, 2011 at 12:58pm

Dear Laurene, I suspect the Park Service hasn't gotten back to you because they don't have a good answer. The overwhelming majority of visitors are AB's so the tiny squeak you made is easily ignored. People get frustrated when they see a parking lot full but have to walk by empty handicapped sites.  I imagine they react even more strongly to seeing campsites honestly reserved for disabled people going empty.  In this case, it really sucks to be a Park employee.  Though the policy is screwed, they must hear more from AB's, more volume and strident tone.  Very few park employees are disabled themselves, so being in the AB majority, they have no experience to give them compassion. But the way the policy stands, accessible sites are NOT reserved for handicapped people.  We take our chances with the majority on a very limited number of special sites.  The only way we can get snag a reservation is in the cattle call for a general site, and then hope to switch with an AB party once we arrive in the cathedral, I mean Valley.  Sometimes it sucks to be in a democracy where the majority rules.  Keep writing them, don't wait for a response.  I am sending NPS a copy of this message too.  If we don't get a response, maybe we will just have to stage a protest on the federal court steps in Yosemite Village!   : D   Oh but wait, I don't think that building is accessible either. If the jail is AB only, does that mean we would get off scott free?

Comment by Laurene on April 27, 2011 at 3:52pm

Just a follow-up to my last post, Yosemite NP has not gotten back to me regarding the question I posed about the accessible sites. With any other email I've sent to them, they've gotten back to me within 24 hours. I'll get back to you when or if they get back to me.

Comment by Laurene on April 23, 2011 at 4:16pm

Ruth Anne and Karen,  I just sent an email to the Yosemite website.  I asked,  "I have a question about the accessilbe sites for individuals with disabilities.  "Able bodied"(AB) individuals can reserve Accessible sites ONLY if there aren't any other sites available.  I find this confusing because Yosemite sites, especially in the valley, are normally gone within the first few minutes of being released.  How are you sure that an AB person didn't just reserve the site?  In my experience, when reserving a site in the valley, if you don't get the first site you tried for it's highly probable that you won't get a site...So how do you know that an AB person didn't just reserve the site?"  They normally get back to me within 24 hours.  I'm curious how they will respond.

Comment by Karen Halgren on April 23, 2011 at 11:53am

That is SO wrong on SO many accounts! The trouble also with reserving the spots- there is no way to actually prove they're entitled to the spot over the phone,which makes it hard for sure. I just wish people were more hoenst and not so rude about taking things they're not entitled to. But then on the flip side- you have some who get REALLY upset/mad when we,who have a disability, take a regular spot...we just can't win sometimes...I don't mind leaving a HC place for someone who is in a manual chair and may need a flatter place to use. I'm in a powerchair so I'm more flexible alot of the times- just leave me a bigger parking space so I can get out of my van without leaving a big scrape line down the side of your car~ hehehe...oopsie...

Comment by Ruth Anne Frokjer on April 23, 2011 at 11:40am

This really steamed me too.  Perhaps we could ask the moderator if we could poll the Campers, or even start a petition? 

Comment by Laurene on April 23, 2011 at 10:43am

Ruth Anne, I did notice that about Yosemite NP.  I actually called the campground reservation office in the Valley ((209) 372-8502), not recreation.gov, and asked about that and what they said was, "AB individuals can reserve Accessible sites only if there aren't any other sites available."  I found this confusing because Yosemite sites are normally gone within the first 5 minutes of being released.  How are they sure that an AB person didn't just reserve the site?  I should call back again to try to clarify.

Karen, thanks for the info., I'll be sure to pass on your message.

Comment by Karen Halgren on April 23, 2011 at 9:09am

Ruth THAT is so wrong on ALL accounts- if a site is for people with a disability but they allow AB's(able bodies) to use it until a disabled person requests it- is SO SO wrong, IMHO....why should it be any different than parking spaces? Oh you can park there sir until someone else comes along with a disability and needs it..NO NO NO.....If I lived in CA or any other state that allowed that to happen- I'd be puttin up a HUGE fuss with SOMEONE...it's SO not right! We should be allowed the same rights as an AB person....things like this get me FIRED UP! Never thought much about how life is for people with disabilities,until I became one of the population...AMAZING what we have to go thru somedays....and people have fits over us making such a fuss about things- you bet we do.....sorry I'm going off but I get fired up sometimes and tend to ramble on....LOL

Laurene- I'm SO glad I posted Lorens website for you to share! Yes Arizona is one of the most accessable places to visit! LOVE it here...so much to see and do all year long too! If your friends come out and need more info on any where- please don't be afraid to contact me or Loren even- we'd be happy to help with anything,WELL MOST ANYTHING....LOL...

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