Accessibility

South Carolina Hotel Solves Workforce Shortage Issue through Inclusion

December 5, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

Shepherd Hotel’s work force gives new vision to what inclusion can look like in travel and work industries.

In downtown Clemson, South Carolina, the Shepherd Hotel stands out—not just for its Southern charm but for its bold mission to redefine inclusion in the hospitality industry.

Unlike most hotels, where staff blend into the background, the Shepherd Hotel ensures its team is front and center—for all the right reasons. Around 30% of its employees have intellectual disabilities, earning $13 to $18 an hour, well above the federal minimum wage. Compare that to a national employment rate of just 16% for individuals with intellectual disabilities, according to ThinkWork. This is true inclusion.

For co-founder Rick Hayduk, this mission is personal. Two of his four children have Down syndrome, inspiring him to build a space where barriers are dismantled, and potential shines.

The Shepherd Hotel collaborates with Clemson University’s ClemsonLIFE program, a groundbreaking initiative teaching young adults with intellectual disabilities how to live and work independently. Participants, including Hayduk’s daughter Jamison, take college courses and learn essential life skills like time management, hygiene, budgeting, and banking.

Erica Walters, the program’s director, said nearly all graduates secure jobs post-graduation. And the impact is growing—two more Shepherd Hotels are slated to open in South Carolina next year.

The Shepherd Hotel collaborates with Clemson University’s ClemsonLIFE program, a groundbreaking initiative teaching young adults with intellectual disabilities how to live and work independently.

“We want to grow for the sake of inspiration and change,” Hayduk explained.

The proof is in the people. Take Alex Eveland, a ClemsonLIFE graduate and now a server at the Shepherd Hotel. Doctors once doubted he’d walk or talk. Today, he’s pursuing a hospitality certification and dreams of opening his own restaurant.

Eveland says he would never dream of taking a day off, because he loves what he does!

Check out the CBS video release on IG. Original quotes from CBS News.

Is this an Example of Ultimate in DMO Accessibility Content Pages?

December 5, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

In their latest iteration, Visit Charlottesville Albemarle County may have created the most comprehensive accessible landing page anywhere and a model for all to follow.

CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU UNVEILS NEW ACCESSIBILITY LANDING PAGE AND FUTURE ACCESSIBILITY EFFORTS

These accessibility efforts will continue into 2025 and beyond as the CACVB works to create a more welcoming environment for all visitors in Charlottesville and Albemarle County

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB) is excited to announce a new accessibility landing page and grant-funded efforts aimed at improving accessibility infrastructure for visitors and residents. As part of its comprehensive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville provided funds to the CACVB to build the tourism industry back stronger following the severe impacts of COVID-19. A portion of this funding supported more than 60 accessibility assessments for local tourism-related businesses and attractions through a strategic partnership with Wheel the World.

These efforts led to Charlottesville and Albemarle County being designated as Destination Verified by Wheel the World. This distinction sets the community apart from other destinations due to its wealth of accessible locations and experiences. The new CACVB landing page highlights these accessible experiences and provides important information about businesses with step-free and/or accessible entrances, transportation and parking, and accessible accommodation details like bed height, toilet height, and space available under bathroom sinks.“This accessibility information is not only available to visitors looking for things to do, but also our residents,” said Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director of the CACVB. “With our recently passed strategic plan, we will continue building out these accessible experiences allowing us to foster a welcoming community for all visitors.”

In spring 2023, the CACVB secured a $20,000 DRIVE Outdoor grant through the Virginia Tourism Corporation to imagine the future of outdoor recreation in the area. The CACVB convened a stakeholder group consisting of City and County Parks and Recreation departments, the Shenandoah National Park, outdoor recreation outfitters, and environmental groups. This stakeholder group determined that the grant funds should be used to invest in accessible river equipment and training, which could be used by residents and visitors alike.

This funding was provided to the Rivanna River Company (RRC) to purchase three special adaptive kayaks. Additionally, RRC has created four accessible parking spots made from stone dust, giving visitors with mobility issues access to the site. RRC also used compacted stone dust to make the entrance area and a path to the accessible portable toilet more navigable. The adaptive kayak program will launch in spring 2025. Photos of the adaptive kayaks can be found here.

This winter, the CACVB will embark on another stakeholder engagement exercise to identify and promote accessible experiences for history lovers. Following stakeholder engagement meetings, the CACVB will apply for a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation to build an itinerary to promote and amplify these efforts. Influencers with accessibility needs will be invited to explore local sites and attractions that offer welcoming experiences.

For more detailed information on how the CACVB went through its extensive accessibility work, please listen to the Destinations International Architects of Destination Advocacy podcast.

New Partnership Launches a center for Assistive Technology to Advance Accessible Travel Innovation

December 5, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

The Schoolhouse Hotel announces a groundbreaking partnership with TravelAbility and Samaritan Partners to establish the Center for Assistive Technology, the first-of-its-kind innovation hub for accessible travel technology for the hospitality industry.

Located in historic White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, The Schoolhouse Hotel stands as the world’s first fully accessible boutique hotel. This architectural marvel, transformed from a 1912 high school building, showcases universal design principles throughout its 30 guest rooms and public spaces. The hotel’s commitment to accessibility extends beyond physical accommodations with a restaurant seating over 100 guests, a 385-person capacity ballroom, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the Allegheny Mountains. The hotel is expanding with an additional 85-room wing, spa, micro distillery, and retail offerings, enhancing guest experiences while maintaining its commitment to welcoming all guests, regardless of ability.

“This collaborative initiative creates a living laboratory where entrepreneurs can refine travel-focused assistive technology solutions in real-world hospitality settings.”

This collaborative initiative creates a living laboratory where entrepreneurs can refine travel-focused assistive technology solutions in real-world hospitality settings. The Schoolhouse Hotel provides an ideal environment for guests to experience and provide feedback on emerging accessibility innovations.

TravelAbility, a leader in advancing accessible tourism, brings its expertise in connecting innovative technology solutions with travel destinations committed to universal access. Their involvement ensures that developed technologies and services align with the actual needs of travelers with disabilities and the hospitality industry.

Samaritan Partners, a social impact venture fund, strengthens the partnership through its investment focus on early-stage, for-profit companies serving the disability community. The fund dedicates a portion of its portfolio to companies developing assistive technology for travelers with disabilities and will provide mentorship and funding for promising innovations showcased at The Schoolhouse Hotel.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in creating more inclusive travel experiences through technological innovation. The Center will serve as a proving ground where new solutions can be refined through direct feedback from travelers with disabilities, ensuring that developments truly serve the community’s needs.

What Would You Do?

November 7, 2024 by Eliana Satkin

Each month we try to address various accessibility issues that may arise within the TravelAbility community.

November’s scenario:

You see a guest approaching the door in a wheelchair with packages in her lap. It looks like opening the door may be a struggle. Do you:

Rush to open the door before she gets stuck
Look away: you don’t want to offend or step on her independence
Ask if there’s anything you can do to help
Something else

Responses:

This question revealed a lot of uncertainty in how to respond to the disability community. Comments like, “I’m actually not sure. I know if it was a pregnant woman or elderly person I’d probably just open the door because it’s nice and polite. But sometimes I feel like with a person with a disability, in a wheelchair, blind, etc., that I’d need to ask if they need a hand first” remind us that a lack of awareness is stunting our kindness.

Our own Tricia Roth, DIrector of Marketing and Engagement for TravelAbility recommends you, “don’t assume the guest needs help – ask. If a package does drop down, offer to pick it up – just as you would with someone not in a wheelchair.”

While responses from the hospitality community and other would-be door openers were split pretty evenly between just opening the door and asking to open the door, responses from within the disability community were a little more diverse.

Overall social media responses

Comments ranged from, “PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR. it’s not about being in a wheelchair, (which I am) it’s human decency” to “the assumption that we need help can be off putting.”

Other responses included:

From a wheelchair user’s perspective, I always appreciate when people ask and don’t assume. I can tell you that in my wobbly walking days, I often used doors for balance, and if someone opened one without asking, I’d fall.

As an ambulatory wheelchair user – ask – whether I’m in the chair or if I’m walking. It helps give us autonomy and independence if we want it

I would be happy with them opening the door for me as a wheelchair user, especially with packages in my lap. They don’t need to rush like it’s a 911 emergency because sometimes then I feel pressure to rush through the door and then risk dropping the package and also I feel like I’ve inconvenienced them more. And then there’s the question about how the door is held open. Standing in the doorway to hold it open is always awkward. Making a casual comment like you would to anyone else who has their hands full could be nice too, “Can I get the door, you’re carrying quite a bit!” Also, if there is an automatic door opener, they can just hit that for us so the door is already opening when we approach and the path is wide open (but wait for a second to make sure the button actually works).

If this is for the hospitality industry, then I’m wondering why the front door to the establishment isn’t accessible in the first place. I mean, it’s fine if someone politely asks to open the door for me, but an automated door would be accessible to anyone carrying packages, whether they are a wheelchair user or not. And those heavy outside doors? Very difficult to open from a wheelchair even without packages in your lap.

In SummaryThere is no one-size approach. Personality and preference impact the players on both sides of the door. Overall, it seems best to offer assistance and graciously accept whatever response is received. You can read more of the conversation, here.