Disabled Equestrians Organization

231 Glenwood Ave

Woodside, Calif. 94062

650-851-8343 Voice

650-851-3914 FAX

www.DisabledEquestrians.org

mailto: donp@disabledequestrians.org

January 24, 2003

Amanda Eaken

Project Coordinator

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

26 O' Farrell Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, CA 94108

Dear Ms. Eaken.

The Disabled Equestrians Organization (DEO) represents individuals that are moderately disabled and use a horse or mule to provide them access to trails in the outdoors. The causes of their disabilities are varied, and include accidents, old age and disease. Some of the areas affected are knees, lungs, hearts, backs, ankles and eyesight. In spite of the diversity of aliments, they all share a common solution to their disabilities: they use a horse or mule to carry their worn out bodies to the places that millions of Americans enjoy: the beautiful high country of the Sierras, the rolling hills of the California coast, the old rail links of Southern California and many other public parks and forests.

It has come to our attention that the Cal Trans is threatening to deny funding for a trail in Ssouthern California because horses may be allowed to use the trail. We are happy to see trails being built because it will be of benefit to many people. But in order to be of benefit to disabled equestrians, it must have a gravel or dirt trail for horses to use. A paved surface is not adequate for horses. It would not cost much of anything to make this availilable, and without it disabled equstrians would be unable to use this public facilty. This effectively discriminates against disabled equestirans, and is a violation of our rights and the law.

The DEO is very concerned about Federal, State and Local agencies that are restricting, limiting or reducing the use of horses on the public trails they manage. There appears to be a concerted effort by some people who seem to think such restrictions are somehow good for the environment. We disagree with this conclusion, but the issue we are concerned about is far more important.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336 enacted July 26, 1990 and the Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II, subtitle A, of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all services, programs, and activities provided to the public by Federal, State and local governments. A disability as defined by ADA is a “ physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual”. To watch the roar of the falls in Yosemite, see the snow-capped peaks of the high Sierras, listen to the wind rustling in the aspens, the view of Southern California along an old rail line, these are truly major life activities.

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 requires all buildings and facilities built or renovated with Federal funds be accessible to and usable by physically disabled persons. This law forms the foundation of the legal mandate requiring Federally funded facilities and programs to be accessible to and usable by physically disabled persons.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended in 1978 states "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by Federal financial assistance or by an Executive Agency." This Act further broadens the Architectural Barriers Act in that it requires program accessibility in all services provided with Federal dollars.

To deny disabled horsemen the right to use their horse to access the public trails is a clearly a violation of Federal law and results in discrimination against disabled equestrians. Opportunities for disabled equestrians to enjoy the same sights would be eliminated by not providing a horse trail. It is also essential that disabled equestrians have a place to park their trailer to unload their horse.

We do not want to see our funds and public funds spend on a lawsuit to enforce our rights. We would rather work with the public agencies to improve the trails, raise funds for outdoor programs, expand horse camps, and raise public awareness. But if we are denied our rights, a lawsuit will be our only recourse.

Please keep us informed of your progress in getting Cal Trans to comply with Federal Law. We shall be glad to send a complaint directly to Cal Trans if you will provide us the contact information.

Thank you for your efforts to get more trails for the citizens of California.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Pugh

President

mailto: donp@disabledequestrians.org