Ask The Expert!
by Candy Harrington, editor of Emerging Horizons
Access Issues for Church Conference
I’m in charge of planning a nationwide conference for our church next year, and I’d like to provide information about the accessible hotel rooms to our disabled delegates. What is the best way to do this? Also, I’ve heard so many stories about guests “not getting the accessible room they reserved” and I really don’t want that to happen. Can you offer any suggestions to help me out?
Your best bet is to work with the group sales department at your host hotel directly. Ask them for floor plans, drawings and measurements of the accessible rooms; as well as a list of access features that they contain. And remember, accessible rooms can have either a roll-in shower or a tub/shower combination. It’s also important to ask about the bed height, as it’s a big issue for many folks. Try to get these documents in a PDF or text format, so you can post them to your conference registration website. The more information you provide your delegates, the better chance they will have of getting a room that will meet their access needs.
It’s also important to ask delegates what specific access features they require. Don't just ask them if they need an accessible room. You might want to inquire about some of the following access features.
Roll-in shower
Toilet grab bars on a specific side
Room near an elevator
Service animal relief area
Portable shower chair
Wheelchair access on a specific side of the bed
As for making sure your delegates get the room they reserve, you have to make sure that the hotel will block the accessible rooms upon reservation. Blocking a room means that a certain room is set aside for a certain guest on a certain date. So in other words if a guest needs a room with a roll in shower and toilet grab bars on the left side, the hotel can block that specific room for them. Remember, not all accessible rooms contain the same features.
Finally, it’s a good idea to include the blocking issue in your contract with the hotel. That way it’s all in writing, and they’ll also understand that access is an important issue to you.
