Accessibility: Is Your Community Marketing to Visitors with Disabilities?
The Cost of War, a growing number of active people with disabilities.
What does the US market look like? There are 36 million people who have at least one disability. About 12 percent of the total U.S. population. Vision difficulties number 6.5 million 19.4 million have problems walking or climbing stairs.
What about Seniors? By 2029, more than 20% of the total U.S. population will be over the age of 65 While Boomers are getting older, they still represent 25% of the U.S. population with the highest disposable income, a significant share of the tourism industry bottom line.
How do WE reach this Market? We educate ourselves on accessibility and inclusiveness! We audit ourselves and our facilities for accessibility! We seek out sports, events and opportunities for people with disabilities! We invite and accommodate to make sure this market feels welcome!
What are the barriers? Knowledge- 1. Do you know your ADA expert in your area? 2. Do you know what the ADA law requires? 3. Do you have a Paralympic Sport Club? 4. Are there any accessible sports leagues in your area?
What are the barriers? Facilities- 1. Are your facilities (public & private) in compliance? 2. Even your Welcome Center, Museum & Lodging? 3. How about your transportation? 4. Is your signage adequate, legal & inclusive? 5. How about your website?
A little more about websites… Web accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to websites, by people with disabilities. When sites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users have equal access to information and functionality.
A little more about websites… Are videos transcribed? Are links accessible if the person is unable to use a mouse? Are flashing effects minimized? What if your user is color blind? Could they still find the highlighted links? ASK YOUR WEB DESIGNER!
What are the opportunities? Opportunities include- 1. Veterans Administration Sports 2. Paralympic Sports Clubs 3. Senior Travel 4. Meetings or Events for people with disabilities
Veterans Administration Sports
Paralympic Sports Clubs Alpine skiing Archery Athletics Basketball ID Bocce Bowls Cue sports Cycling Equestrian Football 5-a-Side Football 7-a-Side Goalball Ice sledge hockey Ice sledge racing Judo Nine-pin bowling Nordic Skiing Powerlifting Sailing Shooting Showdown Swimming Table tennis Ten-pin bowling Tennis Torball Volleyball Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair curling Wheelchair dance sport Wheelchair fencing Wheelchair rugby Wheelchair tennis
Go Extreme “A third way to go extreme is to seek out people for whom existing products are problematic due to constraints, disabilities or other special conditions that limit them and their usage.” Jill Avery & Michael Norton, Harvard Business School
Seniors
Meetings and Events Are you ready to make accommodations?
My Experience 2013 USQRA Atlantic Quad Rugby Atlantic Quad Rugby Sectional Championships City Recreation Center Anderson, South Carolina March 1-3, 2013
Murderball!?!
Go the EXTRA MILE! We arranged for all teams to be met at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport and coordinated with the airport to allow our transportation onto the tarmac to load passengers & gear. Gear was color coded by team with special tags and transported to hotels and placed in rooms. Hotels went above and beyond by lowering beds and removing door jams on bathrooms to allow increased accessibility.
Go the EXTRA MILE! Accessible transportation was provided by a mix of city buses and private vehicles. Be willing to be flexible! Volunteer medical teams were on-hand to assist with the unique needs of team members. Clean up crew- Wheelchair rugby does scuff the floor and it does take time to clean. Be prepared!
In closing… Active people with disabilities are traveling. Be ready to accommodate! Audit your community, find your champions. Make it easy, go the extra mile. Don’t forget this market can include seniors.
JENNIFER NORMAN TMP BRAND NEW SOUTH TOURISM CONSULTING Questions?