Q1. When did you begin focusing on accessibility in your destination and what was the impetus for wanting to make your destination more accessible?
As a destination, we had a very specific starting point in 2017 when we partnered with our performing arts center. The goal was to fill a 2,400-seat theater for a 100% Sensory Friendly Broadway Performance of Disney’s The Lion King, debuting in 2018. What started as a marketing campaign, evolved into a multi-dimensional strategy that has altered our community and how we welcome visitors of all abilities.
We worked to create sensory inclusive programming in all of our attractions and provided sensory toolkits in many more locations. We created training for understanding of neurodiversities for our front-line staff throughout the community and created an accessibility web page detailing sensory events and opportunities as well as the “know before you go” information for all to access.
We filled that theater in 2018, and it was an amazing opportunity for all to experience a Broadway show in their own way. This work was the first step, leading us to focus on accessibility as a destination and continue the journey to truly be welcoming to all.
Q2. What are your main responsibilities and tasks in your organization?
I serve Choose Lansing as President & CEO and lead our amazing team in developing the Lansing, Michigan region as a visitor destination. I spend a lot of time on advocacy, community relations and board relations while remaining highly engaged in our accessibility efforts.
Q3. Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers that you face regarding the advancement of accessibility in your destination? What initiatives have you undertaken to improve accessibility in your destination, and which are you most proud of?
The main obstacle we have faced is creating the time to keep advancing our efforts throughout the destination. We want to do it all immediately. The work that goes into accessibility is important because it creates opportunities to have experiences that many take for granted. Watching families participating in a sensory inclusive event as a complete family, without having to leave someone out, is so inspiring. I want that for everyone. That has been my drive to create strategies and to have those “what can we do next” conversations about accessibility and inclusivity.
“Watching families participating in a sensory inclusive event as a complete family, without having to leave someone out, is so inspiring. I want that for everyone. That has been my drive to create strategies and to have those “what can we do next” conversations about accessibility and inclusivity.”
Julie Pingston
I’m proud that our partners have truly embraced the accessibility efforts throughout our destination and that we were able to host our first Tourism Accessibility Summit this past fall. I’m equally proud that I have been able to share our story with other destinations to continue to grow the work.
Q4. Who do you follow? Name an organization/company/individual you look to for ideas or inspiration.
I look to my colleagues in destination marketing organizations around the world who are leaders in innovation and avenues to spread accessibility efforts throughout the travel industry.
For the past seven years, my main source of inspiration and partnership has been Cathy Blatnik from the Mid-Michigan Autism Association, and her son Dominic. I also love brainstorming with Meegan and Evan Winters from AbleVu and Kristy Durso from Incredible Memories Travel.
Q5. What are your plans around accessibility in 2024?I’ve got a long list of next steps to increase accessibility initiatives for our community. We recently hosted Lansing’s inaugural Tourism Accessibility Summit and we keep building from there. We have engaged with Wheel the World and are looking forward to completing an assessment and providing even more detailed accessibility information and training about our destination.
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