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Witnesses to Congress: update 'wheelchair' definitions and provide objective trail data to expand access
Summary
Advocates told a House subcommittee that outdated statutory definitions and lack of consistent trail information limit access; they urged Congress to clarify language and fund objective trail inventories and pre‑visit information.
A recurring technical concern at the Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing was statutory and agency inconsistency over how the word “wheelchair” is defined and applied to modern adaptive equipment in wilderness and backcountry settings.
In his opening, Chairman Tiffany said federal definitions lag behind 21st‑century technology and can limit the use of assistive technologies in wilderness areas. "The outdated, antiquated definition of wheelchair used under the Wilderness Act limits wheelchairs to devices that are suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area," he said.
Julie Howell of Paralyzed Veterans of America explained that agencies sometimes use different interpretations of long‑standing terms, causing inconsistent access across units: "When we write the term wheelchair 50 years ago...we need to make sure that these long standing definitions...are updated," she testified. Members from both parties said they want a single, centrally referenced statutory approach — with some members pointing to ADA language — so parks, forests and other federal lands treat modern adaptive devices consistently.
Witnesses also argued that objective pre‑visit information—trail width, slope, parking lot surface and likely obstacles—is often as important as built infrastructure. Mike Passo said, "80% of accessibility is information," explaining that clear, specific condition data allows families to plan visits safely and confidently without large construction budgets.
Committee members and witnesses discussed modest on‑the‑ground fixes (regrading, rerouting short trail segments, ensuring van‑accessible parking) alongside data collection. They urged Congress to fund standardized surveys and public‑facing information systems so visitors can make informed choices before arriving at a trailhead.
The hearing did not produce legislative text to change definitions, but members instructed staff to follow up in writing and signaled openness to statutory fixes during future bills and GAOA reauthorization discussions.
