Last month, I found myself dealing with an unexpected challenge when I injured my ankle, putting me in a boot. Despite this setback, I was determined to attend the MPI New England Chapter Educational Institute in Providence, RI, having already registered and paid. I told myself why not? We are all hospitality professionals and I’m sure everyone will be welcoming.
A few days before the event, a wave of anxiety swept over me as I thought about how I would navigate the Hotel and Convention Center with my limited mobility. I found a local Mobility company and rented a scooter. I reached out to my former colleague, Peter Campisani at the Omni Providence Hotel, who graciously arranged for an accessible room. My dear friend and colleague, Nancy Jess (Discover Saratoga NY All-Star), drove me to Rhode Island. Things were falling into place.
But did I consider other logistical hurdles:
*How would I maneuver the electric scooter?
*Could I manage heavy doors?
*What about navigating through crowds?
No. I did not think logistically about any of these things. But luckily, the Omni Providence and RI Convention Center did.
*My hotel room door, along with all doors at the convention center, were equipped with automatic mechanisms.
*While I stumbled through learning to navigate the scooter, I quickly discovered that turning around in an elevator is not a great idea 😊
*The warmth and hospitality extended by both conference attendees and staff eased my worries and made me feel welcome.
This temporary setback served as an insightful learning experience.
It is a firm reminder that Hotels and venues need to make sure their establishments are FULLY accessible for all. Accessibility should never be an afterthought—it’s a fundamental requirement for enabling participation in daily life and events.
As meeting planners and hospitality professionals, we have a responsibility to champion accessibility.
I challenge venues to step into the shoes of someone with mobility challenges.
Rent a scooter for a day, navigate your venue, and ask yourself, “Is it truly accessible?”
Let’s work together to ensure that inclusivity and accessibility are not just ideals but integral components of our industry!
CME Events #accessibleevents #inclusiveevents #creativemeetings