Destination marketing organizations (DMOs) around the state applied for grants that will help them promote and educate potential visitors about accessibility. Last August, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved $1 million in U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration funds to help DMOs develop fully accessible websites to meet the needs of those who are visually and hearing impaired. All 16 applicants who applied received grant awards in late January.
The project—along with accessibility in general—has had a strong push from recently retired Travel Michigan Vice President Dave Lorenz. With DMO budgets already tight, Lorenz says procuring special funding for accessibility promotion is key. “I have said a million times, if we’re not doing all we can to be welcoming to all including the disabled traveler, we’re not being welcoming to all,” he says. Grants will help some of the state’s DMO partners enhance their websites so they can be easily navigated by those who are blind and hearing impaired. Others could impose assessments to enhance Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at certain locations.
Choose Lansing has already done a lot of work with its website but still applied for a grant that President and CEO Julie Pingston says would help enhance accessibility among some local attractions and hotels by creating opportunities for audits. Choose Lansing checked with its partners before applying for the grant. “They’re excited to have the audit done,” she says. “Anything to be more welcoming.”
