Hospitality properties need to know all the required elements necessary in order to market as an accessible hotel, resort, Inn or B & B.

Welcome to another edition of hospitality property school.

Today, I’m going to talk about how you see if your hospitality property is accessible.

 

 

I understand rules and guidelines necessary hospitality property accessibility will vary depending on where you’re listening to this session from, and I also know that if I tried to share all the rules and guidelines worldwide, this session would probably last a couple of weeks.

 

For simplicity’s sake, I am going to refer to the 2010 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Standards for Accessible Design, updates.

 

I feel it is a good starting point for any property owner who is serious about making their property accessible.

 

So is your hospitality property accessible?

Just having a couple rooms allocated accessible does not necessarily mean your property is compliant with your country’s rules. Rules can be updated and any new renovations in a room might make elements of that room inaccessible.

 

If you live in the USA and wish to see the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design or would like to compare it to compare with your own countries guidelines and regulations, you can find it in “The Guide to Operating an Independent Hotel or Bed & Breakfast” Training Tutorials.

 

Hospitality properties should ensure they have all the required elements necessary for an accessible property; here are tips on what to look for:

 

  • An accurate and reliable reservation system to provide persons with disabilities the ability to reserve rooms with accessible amenities
  • A sufficient number of accessible rooms, including rooms with communication features.
  • Amenities that are provided in inaccessible guest rooms must also be provided in accessible guest rooms (for example, if vanity countertop space is provided in inaccessible guest room bathrooms, then comparable vanity spaces must be provided in accessible guest rooms)
  • Distribution of accessible rooms among the various classes of your accommodations (what you should consider includes; room size, bed size, cost, view, fixtures such as hot tubs and spas, non-smoking/smoking, and the number of rooms provided)
  • Accessible sleeping rooms with roll-in showers as required by the standards
  • Accessible fire alarm or other emergency warning system for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
  • Accessible pathways approach elements and turning space for wheelchairs
  • If carpeting is provided, ensure it is low-pile, tightly woven and securely attached
  • Handles and dispensers that can be operated easily with one hand
  • Tub and shower seats that can be securely attached
  • Accessible dispensers and operating controls within reach
  • Accessible light switches, thermostats, drapery wands and door security hardware
  • Accessible sinks and toilets with grab bars

 

As owners of hospitality properties, you have an obligation to make sure you’re compliant with your country’s accessibility rules and regulations. This could protect you from liability and will increase your marketability to persons with disabilities.

 

I am just scratching the surface here. For a more detailed look, I do highly recommend reviewing the “Americans with Disabilities Act”.

 

Examples of some of the other topics covered in the updates include:

  • Scoping Requirements. What is visible?
  • Building Blocks. Designing the property
  • Accessible Routes. What to look for
  • General Site & Building Elements
  • Plumbing Elements & Facilities
  • Communication Elements & Features
  • Special Rooms, Spaces & Elements
  • Built-in Elements
  • Recreation Facilities

 

As well as historic preservation and standards for new construction and alterations

 

Alright, I am leaving you with lots to digest. To help we have included charts in the show notes with guest room and bathroom requirements.

 

You can find them at:

keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com/KHDC039

 

All these checklists can be accessed in “The Guide to Operating an Independent Hotel or Bed & Breakfast” Training Tutorials

 

In Conclusion

Making your hospitality property accessible not only enhances your standing in the community but opens up another target market.

 

If you have any interesting stories about how your hospitality property is accessible and would like to share or have any questions or feedback you can leave them in the comments section of the show notes at.

 

keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com/KHDC039

 

That’s it for this session of hospitality property school.

 

We appreciate your comments and if you have topic ideas, feel free to reach out to use on

Facebook at facebook.com/keystonehdc

Twitter at twitter.com/keystonehdc

Or email at

info@keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com

 

So, as always, let’s work together to put heads in your beds.

Until next time, have a fun day.

 

 

 

Hospitality Property SchoolFor listeners of the Hospitality Property School Podcast

we are offering an additional savings of

25% off the

 

“The Guide to Operating an Independent Hotel or Bed & Breakfast”

Training Tutorials

This offer will end without prior notice so act now by visiting …

 

https://keystonehpd.com/training-tutorials-save25

 

Music Credit:

Sun Spark
http://www.danosongs.com/

 

 

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Hospitality Property School is a division of Keystone HDC

KHDC 039 - How to Make Your Hospitality Property Accessible