TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #142, Jul/Aug 2015

TimeSharing Today Page 41 Jul/Aug, 2015 \RXU DFFHVVLEOH IHDWXUHV DQG PDNH HDV\ ORZFRVW PRGL¿FDWLRQV WR non-compliant features as they perform their regular work. Verify Compliance Always do your own homework when purchasing accessibility HTXLSPHQWDQGFRPSRQHQWVSOXPELQJ¿[WXUHVHWF+DYLQJWKH,QWHUQDWLRQDO6\PEROZKHHOFKDLUVWLFN¿JXUHRQDSURGXFWVSHFRULQIRUmation sheet does not necessarily mean it is compliant. Check it out with information from the U.S. Access Board (www.Access-Board. gov) or your ADA Center. Include requirements in your contractor and design professional’s contract that the work must meet the ADA 2010 Standards. When it is complete, verify that it complies. Start writing your plan now. Take control of your property’s accessibility plan and its future. If you are sued, the plaintiff’s attorney or the court writes your plan and timeline for barrier removal. You lose control. Maintain control by writing a plan. Writing your plan is really is simple, easy, and inexpensive—when you know how. Suzanne A. Thomas spoke on ADA compliance at the spring 2015 Timeshare Board Members Association meeting in Providence, RI. 6KHRSHUDWHVDSULYDWH$'$DQGGLVDELOLW\FRQVXOWDQF\DQGLVDTXDOL¿HGH[SHUWZLWQHVVLQWKHIHGHUDOFRXUWVDQGDUHFRJQL]HG$'$PHGLDWRUXQGHUWKH86'HSDUWPHQWRI-XVWLFH.H\EULGJH0HGLDWLRQ3URJUDP6KHUHFHLYHGWUDLQLQJIURPWKH(TXDO(PSOR\PHQW2SSRUWXQLW\ &RPPLVVLRQDQGWKH86'HSDUWPHQWVRI-XVWLFH+RXVLQJDQG8UEDQ Development, and Transportation, and has spent over 40 years in the GLVDELOLW\ULJKWV¿HOG&RQWDFWKHUDWVX]WKRPDV#1HZ'D\$'$FRP RU ,WHPV2IWHQ0LVVHG Commonly missed items on a Plan to Remove Barriers: • Fire and life safety plan. • Identifying a staff person as your ADA Coordinator. • Service Animal policy. • Accessible route from public transportation and sidewalks. • Lack of diversity in type, size, and amenities in guest rooms. • Assistive listening devices for meeting and conference rooms. $FFHVVLEOH DPHQLWLHV ODXQGU\ EXVLQHVV RI¿FHV WHQQLV and basketball courts, Jacuzzi pools, children’s play areas, BBQ areas and tables, etc.). • Web site reservation information about accessible rooms/ suites. • 36-inch minimum between beds in a double-bed room or 36 inches on each side of a bed in a single-bed room. • Shower controls are not in a usable, compliant location, DQGRUQR¿[HGVHDW • No way to reach drapery pulls in guest room units. 3URWUXGLQJ REMHFWV LQ KDOOZD\V ¿UH H[WLQJXLVKHUV OLJKW sconces, decorations). A SOLUTION FOR EVERY RESORT Whether you’re trying to improve your sales, make your resort operations more cost-effective, or simply ﬁnd tools to help your Homeowner’s Association manage a sold-out property, you can ﬁnd best-in-class solutions through the RCI Affiliate Access program! Training Solutions Interactive Sales & Education Tools Sourcing of Resort Goods & Services Risk Management/Insurance Customer Feedback Solutions Video & Photo Production Collection Services Rental Solutions Data Analytics Solutions Accounting Services Reserve Study Assistance Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors Cunningham Asset Recovery Services, LLC To learn more about the Affiliate Access program, visit RCIAffiliates.com/AffiliateAccess. RCI and related marks are registered trademarks and/or service marks in the United States and internationally. All rights reserved. ©2015 RCI, LLC. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. www.tstoday.com for back issues, Resort Report Cards, articles on resorts and much more

TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #142, Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 41