Travel and People with
Disabilities:
Introduction:
Currently, there are approximately 54 Million People in the
United States that have some type of disability. For those of you who operate
businesses in the travel industry, that represents about one-fifth of your
current and potential customer base! Some people assume that if someone has a
disability, they aren’t likely to travel or get out into their
communities. That couldn’t be farther from the truth!! According to a poll
conducted by the Open Doors Organization and Harris Interactive (July 2005)
between the years 2003 and 2005:
- 52% of adults with disabilities stayed in hotels while
traveling!
- Over 50% visit fast food restaurants at least once per
week!
- 2 out of 5 people with disabilities eat at casual dining
places once a week!
- Nearly 25% of people with disabilities dine out formally
at least once a week!
- 52% of adults with disabilities stayed in hotels while
traveling!
- Over 50% visit fast food restaurants at least once per
week!
- 2 out of 5 people with disabilities eat at casual dining
places once a week!
- Nearly 25% of people with disabilities dine out formally
at least once a week!
This same poll indicated that three out of five hotel users
have faced significant obstacles while staying at hotels, including:
- Doors that are hard to open
- Inaccessible bathroom facilities
- Hotel staff who are not aware of services for people with
disabilities
- Difficulty communicating with staff at the hotel
- Lace of alternative communication devices to facilitate
communication.
Many people with disabilities faced similar issues when
eating out at restaurants.
People with Disabilities as Consumers
We recognize that it is imperative for business to pay
attention to the bottom line.
- Who are our customers?
- Do they have money?
- How do we get them into our establishment when there are
so many options?
Let's take a look at these questions as they relate to
people with disabilities. We know from the numbers cited above that a large
majority of people with disabilities are using hospitality facilities on a
regular basis. We know that the number of leisure trips and hotel stays by
people with disabilities has increased by 50% since 2002 and we know that 71%
of people with disabilities eat in restaurants at least once per week spending
$35 Billion annually. We also know that people with disabilities have $220
Billion in discretionary spending power, that's four times that of your average
tween! So, how do you get people with disabilities to become your loyal
customers? You must provide high quality, accessible services. If you don't,
your competitors will!
The good news is being welcoming and accessible to people
with disabilities is likely not as costly or difficult as you may think. This
website will provide some insight.
What the law says
Hotels and restaurants are covered under Title III of the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination
on the basis of disability by public accommodations. This means that places of
public accommodation may not discriminate against, nor deny full and equal
enjoyment of the goods, services, and facilities to an individual with a
disability. You must be willing to reasonably modify the policies, practices,
or procedures to avoid discrimination unless the modification would
fundamentally alter the nature of what you do. Plainly stated, people with
disabilities must have the same opportunity to access your facilities as the
rest of your customer base. You can't use admittance criteria that screens out
people with disabilities. You can't unnecessarily inquire into the existence of
a disability and you can't charge people with disabilities extra for providing
access to your services or for modifying your services so that access can be
achieved.
What does accessibility mean?
Accessibility for Travelers with Vision Impairments
What it is-
Significant physical and topographical features with
adjacent very light and very dark surfaces; visual signage information
presented in Braille and large size in sans serif font in high visual contrast
(e.g., very light characters on very dark background) located at approachable
heights and locations; information presented in audible and tactile versions
Where it is-
At each gate in airports; in motel and hotel lobbies and
guest rooms; elevator cabins; corridors; public restrooms; at bus stops; in
train depots; at street corners
How it is-
Examples include- a visually high contrast thin but
tactually detectible floor mat leading from the entry through a lobby to a
check-in desk; elevator cabin's second control panel (one is mounted low for
use by persons with limited reach) mounted high enough for close looking and
comfortable Braille use; an approachable large print and Brailed sign
identifying numbers of routes serving a bus stop; guest room thermostat giving
tactile and audible information about its settings; high visual contrast
adjacent to sinks and urinals in a public restroom; guest room number adjacent
to opening side of door in large raised letters and accompanied by Braille;
train platform edge with visually prominent truncated dome strip; Track numbers
at approachable location at arrival point onto each platform in rail terminal;
high visual contrast on stairway step noses; detectible warning strips wherever
there is no full height curb between pedestrian areas and motor vehicle lanes;
pedestrian WALK signals offering audio and tactile information (by devices
known as "Accessible Pedestrian Signals" or simply "APS"); support column
within a concourse, or at least its base, appearing in visual contrast to the
walking surface beneath it; selection buttons on a snack vending machine with
distinctively individual tactile markings; restaurant menus available in
Braille and large print; major stops announced on board a public transit
vehicle
RECCOMENDATIONS-
"If you will be flying and will
need assistance navigating through airports due to a vision impairment, be sure
to notify your air carrier in advance. This can be done when making a
reservation. Specify your need, such as, "a sighted escort". You are not
obligated to be pushed in a wheelchair unless you prefer that level of help. It
is appropriate to state, "I do not need a wheelchair".
"Access Anything: I Can Do That, Adventuring with
Disabilities" by Kennedy and Kennedy- A guide to sports and travel for people
with disabilities [this book is available in accessible format from the Library
for the Blind]
- Mobility
- Chemical sensitivities
- Etc
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