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Hey,
I was just going to put this here, but it got kinda long so I changed it to a blog post:
https://www.tabifolk.com/josh_grisdale/blog/how-to-make-an-appeal-for-accessibility/
pieterghijsels4 Comments-
Great article, Josh. You are very right: accessibility is a great asset for tourism businesses. Not only policy makers (like UNWTO) and disability activists think that accessible tourism is good business, successful business owners agree (here’s a survey that we did: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-accessible-holiday-accommodations-do-good-pieter-ghijsels/).
So, why hasn’t everybody started working on their accessibility yet? Usually, important decisions aren’t taken overnight. This certainly counts for accessibility: building rules can look rather complicated if you don’t really understand the reasons behind them, there are plenty of well-intended efforts that have turned out wrong, not to mention the bad publicity that can come from a service mistake.
Not every business owner is ready for serious investments or will commit to a thorough screening of their premises, just because somebody tells them it’s the right thing to do. This is why one shouldn’t necessarily try to convince business owners in just one go. It can take a few steps before they reach this phase.
Why not start with a few cost-free quick wins? Show how staff can best assist a person with (your) accessibility needs (in a reassuring, positive way). Organisations can hand out leaflets with practical tips. Then, explain some basic principles like the value chain (a chain is only as strong as the weakest link, so if your front entrance isn’t wide enough, your investments in a wheelchair accessible room won’t pay off) and explain how amendments in terms of accessibility will benefit a much wider audience than just people with disabilities. When the interest is triggered, it’s time to assess the current situation. What can be improved in the short run, what should be part of a more general reconstruction? Refer to experts who can help with architectural problems. Show people they don’t stand alone in this.
Also, if a business was not interested at first, keep in touch. They may come around after talking to peers, colleagues who made successful changes. This reminds me of a last tip: send public praise to every good example you encounter. 😇 Because envy is such a strong motivator. 😈-
Great points – I love the last one especially!
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Yes, also internet reviews on sites like Google, Tripadvisor or Booking can also be a strong motivator. Either good or bad reviews.
As you point in the article, I would start with corporate social responsibility stuff and also trying to put them in your own skin. I would also point the economic factor in terms that most changes that benefit people with disabilities, also benefit the elderly and other people (sometimes everyone, in fact). Then, as Pieter says I would show them that there are changes that don’t cost money (or little) and that are easy to apply (like tips for staff, placement of things in the room, micro ramps for single steps, etc.). Finally, I’d go with the reviews argument.
All in all, even if they don’t do changes short-term, maybe next time they’ll think about it. And, again, a bunch of bad reviews can be a great motivator : )-
Very true!
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