# Former Ranger Quinn Brett Transforms Outdoor Accessibility on Public Lands New interactive mapping tools help mobility-impaired visitors navigate federal trails and campsites effectively. - **Source:** [Outside](https://www.outsideonline.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/57676d73-6dcb-4580-8a03-4f28bcc0d40a ## Life-Altering Accident Sparks Advocacy In 2017, former National Park Service climbing ranger Quinn Brett suffered a 120-foot fall while ascending El Capitan. The accident left her paralyzed from the waist down, fundamentally changing her relationship with outdoor spaces. Brett transitioned from elite climbing to navigating in a wheelchair, revealing significant systemic barriers in public land accessibility. ## Dovetail Trail Consulting Initiative Brett founded Dovetail Trail Consulting to address the lack of information regarding accessible outdoor infrastructure. Her firm collaborates with federal agencies to bridge the gap between land managers and visitors with disabilities. This partnership aims to ensure that wild places are not restricted to those without mobility challenges, promoting inclusive outdoor recreation. ## BLM Launches Interactive Map On October 13, the Bureau of Land Management introduced an interactive accessibility map for public lands. The tool provides critical data on trails, campsites, and bathroom facilities. Users can contribute by uploading photos and detailed infrastructure descriptions, helping others assess trail conditions before they arrive at the site to avoid unexpected physical barriers. ## Data-Driven Recreation Planning The map currently features 50 existing accessible recreation sites, such as Utah's McCoy Flats, which offers packed gravel and extended picnic tables. Additionally, the project identifies 74 proposed improvement sites. Some, like the Blue Valley Ranch Trail in Colorado, are fully funded, while others like New Mexico's Glade Run Adaptive Trail still require funding. ## Addressing Mobility Device Diversity Brett emphasizes that modern mobility devices allow users to navigate varied terrains beyond simple paved paths. However, land managers often lack the perspective to identify specific obstacles like narrow bridges or gates. By involving people with disabilities in the assessment process, agencies can identify and remove these subtle, yet critical, physical barriers. ## Ongoing Maintenance and Standards Move United, a nonprofit partner, is working with Mount Rainier and Grand Canyon National Parks to assess over 17 miles of trails. They also provide training for local land managers on federal accessibility standards. Because trails are dynamic environments affected by weather and seasons, keeping accessibility information current remains a continuous operational challenge. ## Broadening Federal Accessibility Efforts The BLM map represents a wider federal push to improve access across multiple agencies. Kevin Oliver, chief of the BLM Division for Recreation and Business Services, noted that the three-year project aims to serve diverse public interests. The agency acknowledges that this work is an iterative process requiring constant refinement and public feedback. ## Redefining the Outdoor Experience For individuals like Brett, these tools provide the agency to choose their own level of challenge. By reducing uncertainty, the initiative allows more people to engage with nature safely. This shift toward inclusive design ensures that the national park experience remains accessible to the nearly one in ten Americans facing mobility issues. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/blm-accessible-trails-map-quinn-brett/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._