Camping In Ontario Update Newsletter June 2019 December 2013 | Page 10

CAMPING IN ONTARIO UPDATE | 10 Opportunity Awaits: The “Accessible Campground” In Ontario alone there is an underserved tourism and recreation market of 1.8 million people who have disabilities, many of whom will readily use and enjoy an outdoor camping environment that is fully “accessible” to them. In addition, Ontario legislation, through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Human Rights Code makes it mandatory for businesses to have policies in place by which you ensure that your products and services comply with the AODA. While the Ontario legislation may be used as a “hammer” causing some operators , to just duck and fly under the legislative “radar screen” innovative, , progressive campgrounds will embrace the legislation and the tremendous marketing and business opportunities it provides. “Accessibility” compliance, in the context of a campground, does not mean that you have to make all trails,campsites,buildings and facilities fully accessible to everyone with every kind of disability.If you want to expand the market to people who have accessibility issues (including seniors…a substantial, financially independent demographic), then it is well worth considering what parts of your operation can be transformed into fully accessible facilities. In addition, employees with disabilities will provide tremendous insight to your development of accessible facilities and a great resource to campers with whom your employees will have a direct and unique connection.There are lots of examples and ideas in the industry,particularly in existing “purpose built”campgrounds for people with disabilities. In addition to making your campground physically accessible, there are strategies for communicating the accessibility features of your facility to this niche target market of people with disabilities. Communications and marketing in seniors’print and e-publications; software which makes your website “accessible” to people with a range of disabilities; and communications with agencies that provide support services to people with disabilities are all captive market targets. The CNIB, Hearing Society, March of Dimes, Community Living Ontario,“Ability First”organizations,to name but a few,are not only great potential marketing resources, but are also agencies that can put you in touch with potential employees who can really enhance the opportunities to make your campground a destination for a unique demographic.Many of these agencies will provide,at little or no cost, specialized employee training that will put your greatest resources, the human ones, at the forefront of accessible camping experiences. As for web access, on our Cohen Highley website we use a program called eSSENTIAL Accessibility which you can link to at the following site for more detail: http://www.cohenhighley.com/ webaccessibility/. As far as AODA compliance goes, the process is actually quite simple and a template for ensuring compliance is available free of charge at the following link: www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/ mcss/programs/accessibility/info_sheets/index.aspx. All in all, something to think about over the winter months and, for the opportunistic among you, something to implement by the spring of 2014! Submitted by Joe Hoffer, Cohen Highley LLP. Joe is a lawyer and partner with Cohen Highley LLP and a regular contributor to Camping In Ontario seminars and events. He can be reached for questions or information at [email protected]. The Reward Is Within by Bill Clennan This poem was read by keynote speaker Jody Urquhart at the closing of 2013 Convention and was requested by several attendees. Here it is in its entirety. The contest lasts for moments Though the training’s taken years, It wasn’t the winning alone that Was worth the work and the tears The applause will be forgotten The prize will be misplaced But the long hard hours of practice Will never be a waste For in trying to win You build a skill You learn that winning Depends on will You never grow by how much you win You only grow by how much you put in So any new challenge You’ve just begun Put forth your best And you’ve already won. Bill Clennan, Canadian Motivational Speaker