The Cafe Of Mistaken Orders has one rule: you must have dementia to work here. True to its name, you may not get what you ordered. In fact, your server may even forget they’re your server and join you for your meal. Discover this unforgettable experience here.
Mental Health
Accessibility Champion: Lynn Smith
Chief Marketing Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
She may not be a magician, but Lynn Smith is making the invisible seen around the world.
Q1. What motivated you to become involved in accessibility and do you have a personal connection to disability?
I firmly believe that everyone, at one time in their lives, will experience a non-visible disability. We all have friends and family who are affected by disabilities and conditions that are not immediately apparent to others, and I want all of them to feel supported and able to thrive to the best of their potential.
Removing the stigma around non-visible disabilities is crucial. It’s about making it easier for people to get the help they need and ensuring they feel valued and included. My passion for equity and social justice drives me to contribute to efforts aimed at creating a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels empowered to participate fully in all aspects of life.
“I firmly believe that everyone, at one time in their lives, will experience a non-visible disability.”
Lynn Smith
Q2. What is the goal of your organization?
Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-visible condition genuinely needs support. You may be questioned on if you have a disability because you don’t “look like you have a disability.”
That is why we created the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – to encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.
It is a simple tool for you to share that you have a non-visible disability voluntarily. By wearing the Sunflower, you’re letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
Our goal is simply to improve everyday experiences for people with non-visible disabilities. We do this through the Sunflower symbol which helps make the invisible, visible.
Q3: Aside from budget, what are the most difficult obstacles or barriers you face around accessibility and what actions/initiatives are you taking to address them?
Aside from budget limitations, the most challenging obstacles to accessibility include the lack of awareness about disabilities that are not immediately apparent, stigma and discrimination, inflexible policies, and limited resources. To overcome these barriers, initiatives include educational campaigns to raise awareness, advocacy for policy changes, training programs to sensitize businesses and communities, promotion of inclusivity in all sectors, and fostering collaborations with other organizations and advocacy groups. By implementing these strategies, initiatives like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program aim to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for individuals with hidden disabilities.
Q4. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments is being part of an organization that shares my values and is dedicated to making a difference globally. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program operates in 34 countries, with seven offices. I am proud to contribute to its impactful mission. Working alongside such a dedicated team of individuals and being able to play a role in making the world more inclusive and understanding is incredibly rewarding.
Q5: Who do you follow?
In addition to Jake and the TravelAbility team, I look to the following for ideas and inspiration:
The amazing HD Sunflower team
Melody Olander of But You Don’t Look Sick.
Richard Gray from Visit Lauderdale
DFAWG – The Dementia Friendly Airport Workers Group
Accessibility Article Round Up
Information and inspiration from around the Web
DOJ issues new ADA rules for public sector sites; private sector is next
From the article: “It is important for all hotels, restaurants, stores, and other places of public accommodation to be aware of the requirements set forth in this final rule and . . . to start preparing for the issuance of a similar rule.”
Training video of the month: Welcoming a blind guest
15 training tips in 77 seconds (courtesy of Scandic Hotels)
Visit Albuquerque launches Destination Accessibility
Innovative service rents out scooters and wheelchairs to travelers
New Hulu series, co-created by a woman with autism, lauded for avoiding stereotypes
Scottish comedian Ashley Storrie (left) found it liberating to “unmask” herself
Coldplay leads the way in making concerts more accessible and enjoyable for deaf fans
In addition to a crew of signers, the shows in Singapore included handouts of vibrating vests
Legoland introduces accessible gondola ride
It may look like a ski lift but the new Minifigure Skyflyer features seven individually-themed pods from pirates to space and beyond,
How to qualify for $5K tax credit for ADA website compliance
Two minute video tells you all you need to know about annual credit
Travel Oregon Awards 3.6 Million in Grants for Inclusive Tourism
As part of an ongoing and far-reaching statewide initiative, Travel Oregon has awarded $3.6 million in competitive grants to DMOs, attractions, and cities for inclusion and accessibility projects.
The grants program targets funding for accessibility and inclusivity for underserved and under-resourced communities including people with disabilities, BIPOC, Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes and LBGTQIA+. Funded projects reflect and align with Travel Oregon’s vision of a welcoming destination where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures—and must improve tourism infrastructure or enhance promotion of accessible and inclusive tourism.
“To say I’m inspired by the potential of this year’s grant awards would be an understatement,” said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. “Upon completion, each project will make a substantial impact on the accessibility and inclusivity of the tourism industry in Oregon, supporting Travel Oregon’s vision of a welcoming destination for all where tourism drives economic prosperity, benefits the natural environment and celebrates rich, diverse cultures.” Read more.
TravelAbility TakeAway: No question that Oregon is one of the key states to watch for leadership on inclusive and accessible travel. As we reported in last month’s Insider, Travel Oregon had the largest contingent of attendees at the Emerging Markets Summit in Savannah in August, with more than 30 staffers. They are using the TravelAbility network to great advantage, studying model initiatives from around the country and the world and turning that research into sustainable practice.
Make Your Parades More Accessible with a “Sensory Block”
In her 15 years working for the Midlands Michigan Parks and Recreation, Marcie Post has left her mark all over the city. And that mark has been an A for Accessibility as the first priority.
Post serves on several boards and advocates for inclusion at every turn. Last year she led the construction of Miracle Field, a soft-surfaced baseball diamond for athletes with disabilities. And when she was recently offered the role of Grand Marshal of the Midland Santa Parade, she saw it as more than a ceremonial role. She introduced the idea of a sensory-free zone along the parade route.
“We’re asking the people in the parade to not play their instrument or not flash their lights or not honk their horns for one block, totally doable,” says Post. “By doing that, it now creates that inclusive environment. It’s a no-brainer.”
The parade organizers, Nicki and Steve Smith, said they selected Post as grand marshal because of her dedication to the community and her leadership on inclusion.
“She is a wonderful asset to the community,” Nicki said. “She saw a need and she acted on it. And she brought others along with her.” Read more.
TravelAbility TakeAway: It’s wonderful to see champions of accessibility recognized for their contributions to the community. And rather than simply accepting the honorary role of parade grand marshal, Marcie Post saw it as another opportunity to make life a little more enjoyable and equitable for individuals with disabilities.
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