Visit Mesa, a destination marketing organization, has a new distinction—and a new market: 32 million families affected by autism. The staff and governing board of directors of Visit Mesa completed more than 100 hours of specialized training to help families and individuals with special needs to prepare for the perfect trip. It is now raising the bar even higher by requesting partner businesses in Mesa’s hospitality community to follow their lead and become Autism Certified Centers via the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Read about them in a recent New York Times article.
Hotels
Now Hotels Can Make Any Room Accessible To People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision
Now Hotels Can Make Any Room Accessible To People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision
Among the most celebrated accessibility initiatives in 2018 was the Blind Faith Upgrade Kit launched by Isobar India, part of the global Dentsu Aegis Network. The kit includes Braille labels that can convert any phone into a Braille-enabled phone, reusable-tactile paving tiles to help customers negotiate their room in the hotel and an audio assist pen to help guests read menus and more. It was first introduced at Hotel Ramada in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and the campaign really put them on the map. The company won a prestigious CLIO award (which recognizes innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design, and communication) recently. You can see a short film about the kit and learn more in this NewzHook report. READ MORE
Are “Drive-by” ADA Violation Lawsuits Targeting Small Hotels Fair?
Our Expert’s Jam-Packed Weekend Itinerary For Charlotte, North Carolina
Even after only a quick glance at Cory Lee Woodard’s new accessible weekend itinerary for Charlotte, North Carolina, you will know this guy’s a pro—and he’s going to tell you everything you need to stay, see and savor the city. Cory Lee’s recent visit included Charlotte Motor Speedway, which has several tracks, including NASCAR, the zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track. (Who knew there were three tracks? Thanks, Charlotte Tourism!) He found some delicious eats, too. (Beware, he posts photos. You will be thinking about those cinnamon buns for days). His favorite stop was a visit to the Latin American cultural village while checking out the Hola Charlotte! Street Festival. Read more.
Harrisburg Hotel Built for Accessibility
Considered by many in the tour and travel industry in the U.S. as an example of best practices for a hotel property, the reputation of the Hilton Hotel in downtown Harrisburg—it is a few minutes’ walk from the state capitol building—is, in part, a function of timing.
We wanted to know more about this property, so we recently paid it a visit and talked with Joe Massaro, general manager, who showed us around and talked with us.
How did it come to get that reputation? “It was being built in 1989/1990 as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was being enacted,” Massaro told us. “The property’s owners were contacted by a local accessibility advocacy group to discuss the design. This proved to be a very valuable relationship as the hotel layout was influenced greatly by the advice given.”
After the Hilton Harrisburg opened, Massaro explained, “this relationship became known and groups serving individuals with special needs began to use the facility. The hotel continues to this day to serve some of the original groups from when we opened.”
During our walk-through of the property, Massaro pointed out accessible features everywhere, including the hotel’s lobby and entrance area: that is, there are no ramps or stairs on the ground floor—features usually found in any large hotel lobby and entrance area. As a result, wheelchairs need not negotiate steps or grades.
Light and electrical fixtures are at a height convenient to those in wheelchairs, and wide-door bathrooms have no barriers to climb over for those who use a wheelchair when showering.
Other questions we asked Massaro, along with his answers, include the following:
Is the hotel able to increase room rates in order to cover the costs of accessible-friendly features?
“We have not increased rates specifically due to accommodations for persons with disabilities. Our accessibility and training has allowed us to capture more business from groups who have persons with special needs.”
What percentage of rooms are “ADA-oriented?”
“Rooms with accommodations including roll in showers, etc. total 3.5 percent of our guest rooms.” (The hotel has 341 guest rooms—do the math.)
Does the Hilton Harrisburg market to this audience through travel agents?
“No, we don’t market directly through travel agents however we do highlight our accessible features when describing our hotel to all guests.”
What have you learned about working disabled travelers or travel agents that you can share?
“The individual is a person first and the needs of one are not always the needs of the next. I’ve learned not to be uncomfortable asking questions about how we can best serve.”
Finally, it helps that Massaro has a long history with the hotel. He has been with it since before its opening. After a number of years in other managerial roles, he became its general manager more than a decade ago.
For more, click here.
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