The Arts
Travel Lane County Wins Prestigious Get in the Hearing Loop Award
Delivering lost sounds directly to hearing devices is changing the way people experience Eugene, Cascades & Coast Region
Travel Lane County, known as the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, has been awarded the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 2024 Get in the Hearing Loop Award for its work installing hearing loops throughout Lane County. “We are thrilled to be recognized with this HLAA award,” shared Andy Vobora, Travel Lane County Vice President of Stakeholder Relations. “In 2021, we recognized Ginevra Ralph and Sue Pritchard with the Travel Lane County Community Leadership Award for their work implementing hearing loop technology at the John G. Shedd Institute for Arts and for working with the Loop Lane Committee to advocate for hearing loops in other locations. It inspired me to request funds to work with our hotel and attractions members and get more locations looped. With an additional grant from Travel Oregon, we’ve been able to loop 40 locations throughout Lane County.” Travel Lane County will receive this award in Phoenix, Arizona in June at the 2024 HLAA Conference.
Hearing loops installed over the past year include:
- 25 Hotels
- 4 Performing Arts Venues
- 4 Visitor Centers
- 2 Retail/Restaurants
- 5 Museums/Attractions
The Wildish Theater was the final loop project implemented with the Travel Oregon accessibility grant when work was completed in March 2024. Travel Lane County, the City of Springfield, the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC) and the Wildish Theater partnered to bring the project to life.”We are so excited that the Wildish Community Theater has a Hearing Loop,” said Theater Board President, Kelly Mason.
“The Wildish Community Theater is well known for its high quality acoustics,” said Mike Eyster, SRDC President. Eyster went on to say, “The Hearing Loop will make the theater much more accessible to even more patrons. The Wildish is happy to be a destination that focuses on accessibility. The Theater couldn’t be more grateful for community partners that have a shared vision of inclusion and excellence and a commitment to making the Wildish a place that everyone can enjoy.” Mason and Eyster expressed appreciation for the generous donors that contributed to the Hearing Loop project.
More About Hearing Loops
Travel Lane County is committed to welcoming all visitors to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region and ensuring they have a great Oregon experience. Hearing loss affects 48 million Americans – That’s 1 in 7 citizens that have this invisible disability. Hearing Loop systems allow customers with T-coil enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear conversations clearly by delivering the staff’s voice directly into the visitor’s hearing device. Staff are better able to welcome guests and ensure they receive all the important information they require. Learn more at Hearing Loss Association of America.A special thank you to Alan Antilla, owner of Hearing Support Solutions, for assessing and installing all of the hearing loop systems at the hotels and attractions Travel Lane County has worked with over the past year.
Undiscovered America TV Features Episode on Accessibility
Celebrating Accessibility Champions in Travel!
TravelAbility is thrilled to have contributed to the curation of destinations and experts featured in the Accessibility episode of Undiscovered America. This exciting episode will be broadcasted to 107 million households this week and will also be available for streaming on platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku.
A big congratulations to the following champions who have made inclusion and accessibility a fundamental principle of their work:
Stuart Butler, Chief Marketing Officer Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:Your dedication to creating a more inclusive future is truly inspiring!
Kevin Wright, VP Brand Stewardship Travel Oregon: Thank you for your commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access for all.
Alison Brooks,VP Destination Experience & Advocacy Visit Mesa : Your innovative approach to accessibility has made a significant impact.
Kristy Durso, Founder Incredible Memories Travel: Your advocacy for accessible travel is making a difference!
Visit Myrtle Beach Launches “Traveling the Spectrum”, a groundbreaking docu-series
This movement for changing the world of autism travel needs your help. Please share.
Traveling the Spectrum is a groundbreaking docu-series that highlights the inspiring vacations of three families, each with a member on the autism spectrum. Currently, 87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options. That’s an untapped audience of millions in America alone who are not traveling to any destination. Traveling the Spectrum is set to change this narrative — but it needs your help. Starting a movement is only possible with collective support.
87% of families with members on the spectrum don’t travel due to a lack of sensory-friendly options.
Traveling the Spectrum is looking for a groundswell of support to show streaming services that this is the type of content that people want to watch. Please take a moment to watch the trailer. If you find yourself moved by the Traveling the Spectrum mission, please give it a like and a share. Visit the website and voice your support for this series to be picked up by streaming services so this message can travel worldwide.
This show goes beyond destination marketing. It’s a series that dives into the essence of humanity. Lend your support to get this series noticed by streaming platforms. This is the start of a ripple effect that can change the way the world views people with autism.
Traveling the Spectrum is more than just a project —it’s a mission to make a difference – and difference that can only be made together.
Please join us by sharing one or all of the following with your teammates and to your social networks:
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
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