Meeting News - February 16, 2009 - (Page 18)

MN Exclusive Research the ADA, many instances resulting from a lack of the original 1990 act (signed by his father, presi- knowledge and some still springing from deepdent George H.W. Bush). The amended act, seated stereotypes about people with disabilities,” which went into effect Jan. 1, includes two noted Starnes. expanded lists—conspicuous and non-visible To see how savvy planners are about including impairments, respectively. the physically challenged in their logistics, MeetThe ADA is administered by the Equal ingNews asked readers how often they inquire Employment Opportunity Commission, about ADA compliance while on site inspections. because, in the words of Nancy Starnes, senior Of the 352 planners who responded, 40 percent VP of the Washington, DC-based National Orga- said that they always inquired, while 17 percent nization on Disability, “it took the Americans admitted that they never do. Corporate planners with Disabilities Act of 1990 to acknowledge the were least likely to always ask (34%), as were civil rights of persons with disabilities and bring planners under 31 of age (15%). However, young focus to the fact that they are customers deserv- planners were most likely to frequently (26%) ing consideration by hotels, restaurants, and and occasionally (37%) ask, compared to the other places of public accommodation.” total number of planners in the survey (16% MN NOD’s mission is expanding participation in Exclusive and 27%, respectively). Research major life activities by the current 54.4 milWhen it comes to including ADA complilion American men, women, and children with ance in their meetings contracts, 40 percent of disabilities. Recently, this population has expand- all planners said they always have it listed. Of ed with disabled veterans from the U.S.’s global these, association planners (47%) and planners war on terror—veterans from Afghanistan, Iraq, aged 51-plus (46%) are the most proactive. “I and other theaters of conflict following Septem- always ask on site and in our contracts,” said ber 11. “Yet, there continues to be violations of Sekeno Aldred, MTA, CMP, learning events specialist at Rockville, MD’s Goodwill Industries International Inc.“My organization serves clients with disabilities, so it is a must.” Which facet of your meetings do attendees most Dana Neill, planner for the National Association frequently inquire? of Wholesalers-Distributors, agreed: “It’s a meeting planner’s responsibility to ask about the needs How much will it cost? 64.4% of the attendees and to make sure they are met. Will I earn educational or 30.2% There should always be a question either on the profressional credit? registration or in subsequent communications 29.6% How will I get there? about restrictions physical or dietary.” 28.0% What is the dress code? Meanwhile, only 35 percent of corporate planWill there be activities for 18.9% spouses and families? ners and 26 percent of twentysomethings inquire Will there be a vegetarian 13.5% about ADA in contracts. Surprisingly, of the 21 or healthy food alternative? What will the percent of planners who confess to never inquir12.7% entertainment be? ing, among the least inquisitive are independent 10.2% What about golf? planners (27%) and planners aged 51-plus What recreational or spa 8.9% facilities are there? (24%). (Twentysomethings were the leaders in Will it be wheelchair 2.7% 2.7% accessible? this group, at 32%.) Will there be a sign language 1.1% Ah, but were they telling the truth? MN 1.1% translator present? decided to also hold a straw poll of 7.5% No questions meeting suppliers on how frequently Other 9.7% they received questions about ADA 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% compliance. The answers returned Source: 371 of MeetingNews survey respondents with a refreshing lack of equivocation: “North of ADA continued from cover Intent to the Injured How often do you inquire about ADA compliance in your contracts? Always 40.0% Frequently 16.0% Occasionally 22.6% Never 21.4% Source: 350 of MeetingNews survey respondents Low on the List never” claimed one hotelier, while a spokesperson for a brand said,“Almost never. We’ll have a client ask maybe once for every 30 sites that we do.” Stephen P. Lowe, director of sales for Harrah’s and Harveys Lake Tahoe, said, “From our perspective, planners do not even address the ADA unless they have delegates who are disabled or need assistance.” To which Keith Salwoski, spokesman for Kissimmee, FL-based Gaylord Palms Resort, concurred, “We find that planners inquire about accessibility occasionally. It is really a matter of planners knowing their group. For instance, if a group has a lot of drive-in attendees who have handicap parking permits, they will inquire about the number of accessible spaces we have. Most often, the inquiries about ADA-related design come from the groups who have a process in place for a site visit; for instance, they may have a form they fill out for each property they visit.” In some cases, as Melanie Bailey, national account manager for the destination management company Island Partners Hawaii, ADA awareness comes from learning the hard way: “When it is brought up, it usually is a result of an issue occurring at a recent event or a planner made aware of the issue by an attendee after the event is over.” However, Chris Chapman, CMP, senior project manager for meetings and conventions at the Jackson-based Mississippi Developcontinued on page 40 18 MeetingNews February 16, 2009 www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/research/index.jsp http://www.meetingnews.com

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