What do I get out of participating?

The key benefit of this program is an improved customer experience for a wide range of customers, including those with disabilities, strollers, and mobility aids. This program also supports you to reach new customers by leveraging these improvements. Examples of an improved customer experience include: 

• Confidence discussing and answering questions about the accessibility of your space
• An accessibility resource for customers to reference that provides a realistic expectation for their experience
• Confidence in welcoming customers with disabilities, including what accommodations you can offer
• A store lay-out that is more wheelchair-friendly

 

Other benefits are:

• Marketing tools and promotion: online Blue Path listing, shout-out on the Blue Path social media, and other social media posts from program organizers
• Expert recommendations for improvements (these make great supporting documentation for grant applications!)

 

Can you elaborate on the ‘marketing tool’ you mentioned?

Thanks to our friends at Disability Access Center Northwest, we have access to an amazing online, searchable platform called Blue Path. Blue Path shares detailed information about locations in a way that is easily digestible and accessible to users with disabilities. Each participant who receives a site visit will get their own listing on Blue-Path.org. You can direct users to your Blue Path listing from your own website, and your listing will come up as users search Blue-Path directly. Your Blue Path listing will also be captured on visiteasternoregon.com.

 

Why do I have to commit to the entire program?

We have crafted this program so that participants will have an opportunity to learn, and then implement what they learn. Each program component builds on the last to create a more impactful experience. Additionally, participants will move through the program with a cohort of other participants in their area to encourage idea-sharing and local support. Not participating in the full program will be a deficit to your own growth, as well as unfair to other members in your cohort. 

 

I can’t commit to the entire program, but I want to learn more about accessibility. What resources are available?

The good news is there are lots of resources available online and organizations doing this work! But this can make it a bit challenging to know where to start. Here are Catie’s suggestions:

1. Watch this quick and humorous introduction to interacting with people with disabilities: LINK
2. If you’re looking for a friendly crash course on disability: Check out the book “Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally” by Emily Ladau. You can find more information here: LINK.
3. If you’re looking for information about a specific disability: Many organizations exist that serve people with specific disabilities. They often have great informational resources. One example is the Autism Society of Oregon (LINK). The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program also has great one-pagers for invisible disabilities (LINK)
4. If you’re working in an outdoor space: This toolkit is a great resource, especially the quick tips on pages 19 and 20: LINK.
5. If you’re looking for small changes you can implement: Disability Access Center NW has a handy brochure. Page 1 (LINK) and page 2 (LINK).
6. Get your business listed on Blue Path! This is the same tool that we offer through our program, but it’s a resource available to everyone (you just have to collect the information yourself). Learn more: LINK.

 We are also happy to share learning materials from the workshops when they are available.

Please reach out directly to Catie to request these ([email protected] or via text/phone at 541-805-2443). She is also happy to point you in the right direction if you have specific questions!

 

What sort of content does this program cover?

The program covers a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to): 

1. Disability awareness 101: What disability and accessibility mean; some of the history of the disability community; and how to talk about disability respectfully. 
2. Welcoming customers with disabilities: Being comfortable and confident answering questions and offering assistance
3. Accessibility improvements: Tangible ways to make a space more usable to visitors with disabilities.

 

What is the program timeline?

The program is estimated to span 6 months. Exact dates are based on your location and expert availability.

 

For participants in Morrow & Umatilla counties:

• May 2024: In person workshops
• May- June 2024: Site visits
• Aug 2024: Expert recommendations and highlights shared
• Aug- Oct 2024: One-on-one support available
• Sept 2024: Blue Path listings go live

For participants in Baker, Union, & Wallowa counties:

• April/May 2024: In person workshops
• Late Aug- Sept 2024: Site visits
• Oct 2024: Expert recommendations and highlights shared
• Oct- Nov 2024: One-on-one support available
• Nov 2024: Blue Path listings go live
  

Why is there a $15 program fee?

The program fee helps cover the cost of the in-person workshops. We can keep the fee relatively low thanks to the support of multiple entities, including the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, Union County Chamber of Commerce, Travel Baker County, and Eastern Oregon Visitors Association. Additionally, the site visits and one-on-one support are funded by a Travel Oregon grant.

 

Why might I not receive a site visit?

We will work with participants so that as many participants receive site visits as possible. However, due to factors like conflicting schedules and the contractor’s ability to enter your space, we cannot guarantee that you will receive a site visit. In the case that a site visit is no longer feasible, we will work with you to determine an alternative option. 

 

Why is there such a big focus on welcoming customers with disabilities, strollers, and walkers/other mobility aids?

One key reason is that we already have visitors with disabilities coming to our region (22% of visitors in 2021-2022), but visitors are not particularly satisfied with the accessibility, according to Travel Oregon’s 2022 Visitor Profile: LINK. There is a big opportunity to both improve visitor satisfaction with the accessibility of our region and increase the number of visitors with disabilities.

This focus also facilitates tourism projects that positively impact resident livability. Although this project is focused on spaces that visitors frequent, the reality is that many of these spaces are enjoyed by residents, too!

 

Can more than one person from my organization participate?

Due to the limited capacity for this program, we are asking that only one representative from each organization register. You are welcome to share the program resources and materials with your entire team. There may also be an opportunity to have other staff participate in an interactive activity during site visits.

 

I’m having issues registering. Can you help?

Absolutely! Please reach out to Catie at [email protected] or via text/phone at 541-805-2443.