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

July’s scenario: Welcoming a deaf traveler.

A deaf traveler enters your visitor center to ask for information, but the center has no one who can communicate in sign language. What would you do? 

Here are some suggestions from TravelAbility community members:

Brett Laiken, VP Marketing, Visit Florida

The simplest way to communicate is by using the Notes function on your phone and typing messages. There are also apps available to download that allow better communication options. 

Dr. Josh Loebner, Global Head of Inclusive Design, Wunderman Thompson

Start a notepad conversation with a first question, “Do you read lips, or would you prefer I write down (or use voice to text) what I’m saying?”

Additionally a survey could be conducted among deaf travelers that have visited previously to gain insights into what some of their frequently asked questions were at that venue and those with answers could be populated into a simple one-sheet document to supplement real time conversations. Also, the venue/destination’s website could have curated content for attractions and other locations in the area that are deaf/hard of hearing friendly to have even more info to share in addition to immediate dialogue. 

Jennifer Barbee, Co-Founder, Destination Innovate

BeAware app or a transcription app. All front line employees should be trained on tools to assist with accessibility.

Wanda Wayne, Discover Lancaster, Visitors Center Manager

We have had deaf visitors in the center more than a few times. When it becomes known that the visitors are hearing impaired, we generally speak more definitively (the person may be able to read lips); look them in the eye; write things down when needed and refer to written materials.

Muhammed Ruman, User Experience Designer

In this situation, I’d start by using a translation app to communicate with the deaf traveler immediately. I’d also provide written materials and videos in sign language. Long-term, I’d invest in staff training for basic sign language and hire diverse staff.

Disability Mom Responses through Social Media:

Utilize the Language Bank Interpreter Line.

Use Google Live to convert speech to text.

Start by writing everything down, unless there is an additional international language barrier. In that case, use Google Translate.

Check out this guide on how to communicate better with deaf people (from a deaf person)

Here’s last month’s What Would You Do? 

Scenario: An Autism Meltdown in your attraction. 

Answers: Click here

Through our partnerships with Tourism Diversity Matters, a recognized leader in moving tourism and DE&I to the next level, Leave No Trace, dedicated champions of ecofriendly travel lessening negative impacts to our valuable shorelines and outdoor spaces, and USAE News, the premier news source for associations, hotels and CVBs, the conference will be reconstituted as TravelAbility’s Emerging Markets Summit. Learn about all three growing market segments at one insightful event.

“Accessibility, Sustainability and DE&I have three things in common when it comes to travel,” said Jake Steinman, Founder of TravelAbility and organizer of EMS: “1. They are adjacent niche segments that are growing in importance but it’s not always easy to know where and how to begin. 2. Since they are all complex matters that involve a commitment, it’s important to begin with small steps and iterate from there.  For example, Visit Florida began focusing on accessibility three years ago with just a few content elements, today they have over 1000 pieces of content and aspire to be the most accessible state in America. 3. All three segments benefit humanity and unlock an intrinsic goodness in people giving them a fresh sense of pride about the organization they work for.”

TravelAbility is pleased to work with three distinguished organizations that will help guide us to content that will lead to actionable takeaways and spread the word far and wide.

Andrew Leary, who is the Director of Sustainable Tourism and Partnerships, Leave No Trace, commented: “We are thrilled to be partnered with TravelAbility to help foster these crucial sustainability and stewardship conversations at this year’s Emerging Markets Summit.”

Greg DeShields, who is the Executive Director of Tourism Diversity Matters, commented: “As the leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, we are dedicated to providing decision makers with access, resources and tactics to develop more effective DEI strategies. The TravelAblity conference is a valuable forum to understand where DEI meets accessibility.  By creating awareness of this intersectionality, we can better acknowledge and ground our differences as DE&I is more than policies, programs, or headcounts.”

EMS sessions will focus on actionable topics designed to both raise awareness and provide ideas that stimulate travel activity.  For example, one of the DEI sessions will feature a representative from Black Restaurant Weeks, an organization that helps destinations organize dining promotions; as well as a sustainability session about how carbon offset organizations can serve as an amenity for any hotel, airline or other provider interested in helping to address climate change.

Additional news: USAE News, the premier weekly source of news for over 60,000 hotel, CVB, and meeting planner professionals, will be the official media sponsor for this year’s EMS. Ross Heller, Publisher, USAE News: “The Emerging Markets Summit is a ‘must attend’ for destinations looking to learn cutting edge strategies for capturing more of these emerging markets.”

What attendees will learn about accessibility, sustainability and DE&I.

• Getting in the game: How to get started. 
• How to up the game you already have.
• How to create a business case should you need to convince the boss.
• How to communicate and reach people most likely to respond to marketing to all three segments.

Early Bird Registration Ends on April 1st. Register Today and Save.