Ann Deschamps, Director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center returned to discuss their upcoming 2024 ADAcon: Inclusive Hospitality and Tourism October 16 – October 17 at the Hotel duPont in Wilmington for the industry with speakers, vendors and panels on best practices.  The event will kick off with a day-long excursion to Winterthur, a pioneer in accommodation and inclusion, on October 15.  We spoke about the hospitality industry; people with disabilities and their families generate up to 21 Billion in revenue, yet many hotels, restaurants, museums, nature centers and transportation providers don’t know how to accommodate these consumers.  The ADA Center’s Hospitality Conference will speak to restaurants, hotels and resorts, attractions, parks, transportation providers, travel and convention planners as well as those looking to get into the business.

She gave us an overview of the ADA and their work in educating and training individuals, businesses and communities about the Americans with Disabilities Act, from who is protected to what employers, governments and businesses must do to accommodate this growing population.  We discussed who is covered by the ACT, a wide range that includes anyone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity, the businesses that are either responsible to accommodate through the ADA or local law, and how the ADA Center can help with information and direction.  The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is one of ten across the country offering these services.       

We discussed recent efforts to ban sub-minimum wage job waivers, the reasons behind their desire to close these facilities.  Finally, we talked about hiring and retention of employees, and about accommodations, how simple and how life-changing they can be.  She encourages anyone, from businesses to individuals to community and civic groups to reach out for information and programming to help implement the ADA for an inclusive society.  

For more information about training, the conference, and facts about the ADA visit ADAInfo.org or call 1-800-949-4232. 

Ms Deschamps also recommends the Job Accommodation Network for questions about types of accommodations available to employees, some simple.  Find them at AskJAN.org. 

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