Learn simple ways to make your business more inclusive to visitors of all backgrounds and abilities with the newest Warm Welcome training program .
EXTENDING
Melanie Hood-Wilson
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL
LAST WORD
W hen we say we welcome everyone , we mean it . Which is why Visit Baltimore recently launched its Warm Welcome program , meant to help foster an inclusive environment for all our visitors . The program encourages local hotels , restaurants , attractions and other businesses to sign a pledge committing to tenets of inclusivity , including training programs on supportive language , proactive allyship , dialogues on racial bias and active listening and learning . After signing the pledge , participating businesses gain access to exclusive training resources geared toward hospitality and tourism . The latest training module focuses on accessibility , with practical suggestions from local disability rights advocate and educator Melanie Hood-Wilson , who has worked with many Baltimore nonprofits and the city ’ s public school system . Read on to hear more from Melanie .
What does accessibility look like
Q : for businesses now ?
Accessibility is even more urgent than it was prior to the pandemic . Accessibility means understanding how to make guests and clients who have disabilities and differences feel that they are equally included in the experience provided by your business . Most people travel to cities and to businesses and landmarks for a particular experience . Physical , developmental and emotional disability should not hinder their ability to participate in those experiences .
What can participants expect to learn
Q : from this new training resource ?
Participants will gain a deeper insight into the ways they can make the experiences they offer more accessible and inclusive of all customers and guests . This information is designed to make it easier , not more difficult , to run an inclusive business . These modules are also designed to help build sensitivity and appreciation for the experiences of the individuals with disabilities who are your guests .
What ’ s one important way
Q : that small businesses can become more inclusive ?
One way to be inclusive of individuals with disabilities is to acknowledge openly and with sensitivity that every guest ' s needs are unique . Show that your business appreciates their participation enough to customize the experience in a way that makes it possible for an individual with a disability to enjoy what you have to offer .
How can businesses
Q : continue learning how to increase accessibility ?
Quite often , those ways in which we include individuals with disabilities require very little time , money or effort . It ' s as simple as understanding that if a guest is blind or has low vision , it ' s disorienting to come back from the bathroom to find your glass and silverware have moved . If you are a person with an autism spectrum disorder , it ' s better to be seated in a quieter part of a venue with less activity . It ' s about understanding the triggers and simply having a plan B in place .
I encourage businesses to continue learning more strategies to accommodate all guests and visitors by spending time talking to and soliciting feedback from existing guests . Most people are happy to share how you can make an experience even better for them by implementing small , thoughtful strategies . VB
WARM
WELCOME
WE EMBRACE EVERYONE
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY AT Baltimore . org / warmwelcome .
50 BALTIMORE . ORG