2 Press Releases
Original, Montreal, July 21th, 2014.

Open Doors Organization (ODO) is conducting its third nationwide survey of American adult travelers with disabilities. The findings on international travel will be revealed at the World Summit Destinations for All to be held in Montreal, October 19-22 2014.

The aim of this study is to provide statistically reliable information on the large, but still understudied disability travel market and to explore the changes that have taken place since the first pioneering studies by ODO in 2002 and 2005.

As in 2002 and 2005 studies, the 2014 survey will measure general travel behaviors including how often American adults with disabilities travel, how much money they spend, and which sources of information and technology they rely on. It will also gauge their experiences with airlines, airports, cruise lines, ground transportation and tours, destinations, hotels, and restaurants and determine what obstacles they still encounter.

The 2014 study will again explore where people are traveling within the US and internationally. In addition to estimating the current and potential impact of the disability community on the US travel industry, it will reveal differences over time through comparisons with the earlier ODO studies.

The past decade has been especially dynamic for the disability community, with setbacks due to the economic crisis on one hand and improvements in accessibility and awareness on the other, not just in the U.S. but worldwide.

At Open Doors Organization we look forward to seeing how these changes have affected travel patterns of American adults with disabilities and how large the market has now become said Laurel Van Horn, Director of Programs at ODO.

ODO, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois was founded in 2000 for the purpose of creating a society in which all persons with disabilities have the same consumer opportunities as everyone else. We aspire to teach businesses how to succeed in the disability market, while simultaneously empowering the disability community.

The World Summit Destinations for All aims to review the achievements that have been made in the worlds leading accessible destinations, to share and discuss best practices and methods and to chart a course for the development of One World for Everyone.

Supported especially by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), this event occurs at a turning point in the development of tourism for all, after the publication of the UNWTO Recommendations on Accessible Tourism and the ICAO Manual on Access to Air Transport by Persons with Disabilities.

The other confirmed speakers are:
? Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA);

? Ms. Marina Diotallevi, Programme Manager Ethics & Social Dimensions of Tourism at the UNWTO;

? Mr. Pierre J. Jeanniot, O.C., C.Q., Director General Emeritus, IATA;

? Mr. Ivor Ambrose, Manager, European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT);

? Mr. Jay Cardinali, Worldwide Accessibility Manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts;

? Ms. Ann Frye, an international specialist in the mobility needs of older people and people with disabilities;

? Mr. Scott Rains, Independent Travel and Disability Consultant;

? Mr. Martin Heng, Accessible Travel Manager, Lonely Planet;

? Mr. Magnus Berglund from Scandic Hotels;

? Mr. Marcus Weisen, International expert, European Centre for Cultural Accessibility.

The World Summit Destinations for all 2014 is organized by Kéroul, a key consultant for Tourisme Québec regarding accessibility, Kéroul is a non-profit organization which, through information and lobbying, promotes and develops accessible tourism and culture and by JPdL, a leading team of conference and event professionals for over 30 years.

The Worldwide Accessibility Manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts will participate in the World Summit Destinations for All 2014.

Original, Montreal, June 18th, 2014.

The Worldwide Accessibility Manager for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Jay Cardinali, will share his experience with the participants at the World Summit Destinations for All, a major event to be held in Montreal October 19-22, 2014.

Mr. Cardinali will give an overview of disability access and accessible services at the Walt Disney Theme Parks and discuss the guiding principles that are used in the implementation process. He will also share stories about some of Disney’s guest service successes.

The Services for Guests with Disabilities team supports the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment by being a leader in the world of services for people with disabilities and providing subject matter expertise relating to accessibility standards, Guest and Cast resources, disability service policies and procedures, assistive technology, disability community insights, and Sign Language services.

«It is important also to highlight how technology is being used to support Disneys philosophy to allow all guests to Experience the Magic» said Mr. Cardinali.

The aim of the Summit is to review the achievements that have been made in the worlds leading accessible destinations, to share and discuss best practices and methods and to chart a course for the development of One World for Everyone.

This Summit welcomes practitioners and researchers from around the world to exchange experiences and discuss the vital issues concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities and specific access requirements in tourism and travel.

Supported especially by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), this event occurs at a turning point in the development of tourism for all, after the publication of the UNWTO Recommendations on Accessible Tourism and the ICAO Manual on Access to Air Transport by Persons with Disabilities.

The other confirmed speakers are:
? Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), will inaugurate the Summit;
? Ms. Marina Diotallevi, Programme Manager Ethics & Social Dimensions of Tourism at the UNWTO, will also participate to this introduction session presenting The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and UNWTO recommendations for inclusive tourism.
? Mr. Ivor Ambrose, Manager, European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT);
? Ms. Ann Frye, an international specialist in the mobility needs of older people and people with disabilities, is responsible for the transportation theme of the World Summit. Ms. Frye co-chairs the US Transportation Research Board sub-committee on International Activities in Accessible Transportation; ? Mr. Scott Rains, Independent Travel and Disability Consultant; ? Mr. Martin Heng, Accessible Travel Manager, Lonely Planet; ? Mr. Magnus Berglund from Scandic Hotels;
? Mr. Marcus Weisen, International expert, European Centre for Cultural Accessibility.

The accessibility is a matter of rights, demographic and business. Be ready to welcome the future: a World for Everyone!

The World Summit Destinations for all 2014 is organized by Kéroul, a key consultant for Tourisme Québec regarding accessibility, Kéroul is a non-profit organization which, through information and lobbying, promotes and develops accessible tourism and culture and by JPdL, a leading team of conference and event professionals for over 30 years.

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For more information about the World Summit Destinations for All and its supporting organizations, visit: www.destinationspourtous2014.com Source: Michel Trudel, Kéroul
Information : Marie-Hélène Paradis
mhparadis@keroul.qc.ca
514 252-3104 #3575
514 531-6797