KLT launches accessibility project

by Kaniksu Land Trust

"Nothing about us, without us" is a phrase in the disability rights movement referring to the importance of including people with disabilities in processes that will affect them. Launching a new focus on improved access for people with disabilities, Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT) aims to center this new initiative on that philosophy.

KLT announced this week that it has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Land Trust Alliance’s 2024 Partnerships for Disability Access, Inclusion, and Leadership Grant. The funding will allow KLT to begin work on improving access and inclusivity for people with disabilities across its sites, programs and information.

"Nature should be accessible to everyone," said Katie Cox, KLT Executive Director.

The land trust’s mission and bylaws prioritize accessibility, a facet of their conservation work that has been demonstrated in cultural, educational, and public access projects. KLT has long included nutrition, scholarships, and assistance with outfitting student participants in their school outreach and other education programs to ensure that all children have access to nature.

Recognizing that there is much work to do to improve disability inclusion, KLT will put leadership of the new initiative in the capable hands of KLT’s Montana Outreach Coordinator, Kayla Mosher, who has a lifelong dedication to disability inclusion.

Growing up, the careers and hobbies of Mosher’s parents were centered on improving independence for people with disabilities. Mosher has spent time volunteering on related projects since a very young age and, while in college, interned with Challenge Aspen, a nonprofit in Colorado that teaches disabled persons to alpine ski. Mosher spoke at the Montana Governor's Conference on Tourism this year about increasing accessibility in recreation and tourism. She is also working toward certification from the Indiana University Eppley Center’s Foundations of Accessibility program.

“For years, this has been a goal of our staff and board to assess and improve disability access at our public access properties, with our programs, and in the way we present information,” said Cox. “Now, we have Kayla’s leadership and the resources needed to move forward and we are so excited to begin.”

KLT has already begun collaborating with the Montana-based Summit Independent Living, UCAN (Unique Center for Athletes of all Needs) in Sandpoint, and the City of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department and plans to work closely with Disability Action Center NW in Idaho, the Lake Pend Oreille School District, and the Rural Institute on Inclusive Communities in Montana. These partners will provide expert advisors and connect KLT to people with direct lived experience with disabilities and their advocates. By centering the voices of people with disabilities, KLT aims to transform its approach to access and belonging.

“One thing I would like to request is that I hope KLT continues making opportunities for people with disabilities and their caregivers to access nature,” entreated a caregiver and frequent visitor to Pine Street Woods. “We used the accessible trail with the wheelchair often. It just made us so happy to have handicap parking and a good sized bathroom and an accessible trail. I can’t tell you enough how much this meant to us to have an opportunity to be in nature.” .

Such relationships will be the foundation on which KLT informs a new strategic accessibility and inclusion policy following a disability audit of all aspects of KLT’s cultural, physical, and digital spaces. This policy will drive upgrades to KLT’s facilities, trails, digital platforms, and work spaces. Additionally, staff, volunteers, and partners will have the opportunity to receive training on accessibility best practices.

“Our goal is about more than just achieving ADA compliance. We want to go beyond accessibility requirements to make sure that all people feel welcome and included,” explained Mosher. “Collaboration and information sharing is very important to us. We will share what we learn with other organizations to improve inclusion and access on a wider scale for the benefit of all in our community and far beyond.”

Kaniksu Land Trust staff welcome questions and input from community members. For more information, contact Kayla Mosher at (406)827-0487 or [email protected].